Of which biological variations among Korean Americans should the nurse be aware?
Describe how stereotyping Puerto Ricans as similar to other Hispanic Americans can lead the nurse to errors in patient care.
Describe the geographical location of Jordan, and indicate how this region of the world and the political turmoil experienced by Jordanians may have a profound political impact on the health and well-being of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Cultural Variations and Their Impact on Nursing Care
Biological Variations Among Korean Americans
Nurses should be aware of several biological variations among Korean Americans that may impact patient care. These variations can include:
1. Genetic Predispositions: Certain health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and gastric cancer, are prevalent in the Korean population due to genetic factors. Understanding these predispositions can assist nurses in providing appropriate screenings and preventive care.
2. Dietary Habits: Traditional Korean diets are high in fermented foods, which may influence gut health and nutritional needs. Nurses should be aware of these dietary patterns when discussing nutrition or developing meal plans.
3. Cultural Practices: Traditional healthcare practices, such as the use of herbal remedies and acupuncture, are common in the Korean community. Nurses should inquire about these practices to avoid potential interactions with prescribed medications and respect patients’ beliefs.
4. Health-Seeking Behaviors: Korean Americans may have different attitudes toward healthcare access and utilization, often influenced by cultural beliefs about illness and healing. Nurses should recognize these behaviors to provide culturally sensitive care.
Stereotyping Puerto Ricans and Its Consequences in Patient Care
Stereotyping Puerto Ricans as similar to other Hispanic Americans can lead the nurse to make significant errors in patient care, including:
1. Cultural Ignorance: Puerto Ricans have unique cultural practices, beliefs, and language nuances that differ from those of other Hispanic communities. Assuming that all Hispanic Americans share the same cultural background may lead to misunderstandings and inadequate communication.
2. Misdiagnosis or Mismanagement: Stereotyping can result in overlooking specific health risks or cultural health beliefs that are unique to Puerto Ricans. For example, a nurse might not consider the significance of certain traditional remedies or health practices that Puerto Rican patients may prefer over conventional treatments.
3. Failure to Build Trust: Stereotyping can hinder the establishment of rapport and trust between the nurse and the patient. If a nurse demonstrates a lack of understanding or respect for a patient’s cultural identity, it may lead to non-compliance with care plans and poorer health outcomes.
4. Inadequate Health Education: By not recognizing the unique cultural context of Puerto Rican patients, nurses may provide health education that is irrelevant or ineffective, further complicating health management for these individuals.
Geographical Location of Jordan and Its Impacts on Health
Jordan is located in the Middle East, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north, and Israel and Palestine to the west. The geographical location places Jordan at a crossroads of significant political and economic developments in the region.
Political Turmoil and Its Impact on Jordanian Americans
The political turmoil experienced by Jordanians, including regional conflicts, refugee crises, and economic challenges, has profound implications for recently immigrated Jordanian Americans:
1. Psychosocial Stressors: Many Jordanian immigrants may experience stress related to political instability in their home country. This stress can manifest as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which nurses must be aware of when providing care.
2. Access to Healthcare: Political turmoil may affect the ability of Jordanian Americans to access healthcare services, both in the U.S. and abroad. Understanding their experiences can help nurses advocate for resources and support networks.
3. Cultural Connection: Recently immigrated Jordanian Americans may maintain strong ties to their homeland, which can influence their health behaviors and preferences for treatment. Nurses should consider these connections when developing care plans.
4. Community Support: The experiences of Jordanian Americans are often shaped by their community networks. Understanding the dynamics within these communities can help nurses facilitate access to culturally relevant healthcare services and support systems.
Conclusion
Cultural awareness in nursing is crucial for providing effective and respectful care to diverse populations. By understanding biological variations among Korean Americans, avoiding stereotypes with Puerto Rican patients, and recognizing the geographical and political context of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans, nurses can enhance their practice and improve patient outcomes. Culturally competent care is essential for addressing the unique needs of individual patients and fostering trust within healthcare relationships.
