Chapter 47, Transitions, Spirituality and Patient Care Study Guide
Summer 2025
Quiz
Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
1. According to Shelly & Fish (1988), what are the three fundamental spiritual needs of a
person?
2. Define "spirituality" as presented in the source material, distinguishing it from "religion."
3. Why is it false to assume that a patient who does not belong to an organized religion has
no spiritual needs?
4. Explain the concept of "hope" and "love" within the context of spirituality.
5. What is the significance of the "H" in the HOPE acronym used for nursing history and
observation?
6. How can a nurse facilitate a patient's practice of religion within a healthcare setting?
7. Describe two key actions a nurse can take when counseling patients spiritually.
8. What specific religious group is highlighted as opposing blood transfusions and certain
modern medical practices, and why?
9. When preparing a patient's room for a spiritual counselor visit, what are two practical
considerations?
10. How can a nurse evaluate if a patient is moving towards healthy acceptance of their
current situation from a spiritual perspective?
Essay Format Questions
1. Discuss the integrated and unifying approaches to the spiritual dimension in nursing care,
providing examples of how nurses can meet spiritual needs through these approaches.
2. Analyze the distinction between "agnostic" and "atheist" in the context of factors
affecting spirituality. How might understanding these differing beliefs impact a nurse's
approach to spiritual care?
3. Explain the "HOPE" acronym in detail, elaborating on each component and its
significance for conducting a comprehensive nursing spiritual assessment.
4. Describe the ethical and professional boundaries nurses must consider when
implementing spiritual care. Provide specific examples of appropriate and inappropriate
interventions related to prayer or spiritual counseling.
5. Beyond organized religion, identify and discuss other "elements of spirituality" as
presented in the source material. How do these elements contribute to an individual's
overall well-being and how can nurses support them?
Glossary of Key Terms
Agnostic: One who holds that nothing can be known about the existence of a higher
power.
Atheist: A person who denies the existence of a higher power.
Faith: A confident belief in something for which there is no proof or evidence.
Forgiveness (Need for): One of the three spiritual needs, involving the ability to pardon
oneself or others for wrongdoings.
Hope: An ingredient in life responsible for a positive outlook; a positive expectation.
Love: Connectedness with others; one of the three spiritual needs, emphasizing
relationships.
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Summer 2025
Quiz
Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
1. According to Shelly & Fish (1988), what are the three fundamental spiritual needs of a
person?
2. Define "spirituality" as presented in the source material, distinguishing it from "religion."
3. Why is it false to assume that a patient who does not belong to an organized religion has
no spiritual needs?
4. Explain the concept of "hope" and "love" within the context of spirituality.
5. What is the significance of the "H" in the HOPE acronym used for nursing history and
observation?
6. How can a nurse facilitate a patient's practice of religion within a healthcare setting?
7. Describe two key actions a nurse can take when counseling patients spiritually.
8. What specific religious group is highlighted as opposing blood transfusions and certain
modern medical practices, and why?
9. When preparing a patient's room for a spiritual counselor visit, what are two practical
considerations?
10. How can a nurse evaluate if a patient is moving towards healthy acceptance of their
current situation from a spiritual perspective?
Essay Format Questions
1. Discuss the integrated and unifying approaches to the spiritual dimension in nursing care,
providing examples of how nurses can meet spiritual needs through these approaches.
2. Analyze the distinction between "agnostic" and "atheist" in the context of factors
affecting spirituality. How might understanding these differing beliefs impact a nurse's
approach to spiritual care?
3. Explain the "HOPE" acronym in detail, elaborating on each component and its
significance for conducting a comprehensive nursing spiritual assessment.
4. Describe the ethical and professional boundaries nurses must consider when
implementing spiritual care. Provide specific examples of appropriate and inappropriate
interventions related to prayer or spiritual counseling.
5. Beyond organized religion, identify and discuss other "elements of spirituality" as
presented in the source material. How do these elements contribute to an individual's
overall well-being and how can nurses support them?
Glossary of Key Terms
Agnostic: One who holds that nothing can be known about the existence of a higher
power.
Atheist: A person who denies the existence of a higher power.
Faith: A confident belief in something for which there is no proof or evidence.
Forgiveness (Need for): One of the three spiritual needs, involving the ability to pardon
oneself or others for wrongdoings.
Hope: An ingredient in life responsible for a positive outlook; a positive expectation.
Love: Connectedness with others; one of the three spiritual needs, emphasizing
relationships.
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