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Heritage Assessment Research Paper

Decent Essays

Heritage Assessment
Renee R. Trent
Grand Canyon University: NRS-429VN
August 20, 2016

Heritage is a cultural aspect or tradition that has been passed down through generations (Heritage Assessment, 2016). Why would the health professional need to know about a patient’s cultural background? How would this affect the care provided? Health care is specific to the individual needs of a patient, and no two are alike. Nurses should conduct an assessment of the patients’ cultural beliefs, values, religious beliefs, and practices. It is important to learn the meaning of the illness from the patients point of view. Data collected from the cultural assessment will help the patient and nurse to develop a mutual and culturally acceptable plan …show more content…

One member from each family filled out the heritage assessment questionnaire and discussed how ethnic/cultural background influences their lifestyle today.
Vietnamese Culture
The Vietnamese woman interviewed moved from Vietnam to the United States when she was thirty years old. She was raised by both parents and five brothers. Parents stayed in Vietnam. Extended family live in Southern California. She has three children and seven grandchildren. Family very important in culture. Buddhism is the religion of most Vietnamese and involves a view point that man was passed to this life to suffer and believe they came from dirt and will return to it when they die (Nutrition and Fasting in Vietnamese Cutlure, 2001). It is customary for the entire extended family to visit the dying loved one in shifts. Intense emotion is expressed and encouraged.
Important health decisions are made by the entire family. It is not uncommon for three generations to live under one roof and the oldest father is in charge. The people of Vietnamese culture tend to hide their true feelings or fears as it is considered rude to speak up or offer frank honesty (Kemp, …show more content…

was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. His mother was born in Ireland and arrived to Ellis Island in 1922 at the age of nineteen and spoke Irish and English. Father born in Chicago. Maternal grandparents born, raised, and died in Ireland. Paternal grandparents born and raised in Chicago. He was raised in the city, lived with parents and six siblings in a three-bedroom apartment. Family brought up strict Roman Catholic and attended parochial school. Meals cooked every day and entire family expected to eat together. Religious holidays were all celebrated and included attending

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