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NCLEX RN Exam Bank: Cultural Competence and
Communication in Diverse Settings
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice (Questions 1–20) ..... 2
Subtopic 2: Communication Strategies Across Language Barriers (Questions 21–40) ....... 10
Subtopic 3: Nonverbal Communication and Cultural Expression (Questions 41–60) ........ 18
Subtopic 4: Cultural Health Beliefs and Illness Perception (Questions 61–80) .................. 26
Subtopic 6: Nonverbal Communication, Personal Space, and Cross-Cultural Etiquette ... 43
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Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cultural Competence in
Nursing Practice (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is caring for a client from a collectivist culture who values family involvement in
healthcare decisions. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Make healthcare decisions without family input to avoid delays
B. Involve the family in discussions and decisions as per the client’s wishes
C. Encourage the client to make decisions independently
D. Limit family visits to maintain confidentiality
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In collectivist cultures, family plays a significant role in decision-making.
Respecting this dynamic enhances cultural competence and client-centered care.
2. Which term best describes the ability of a nurse to effectively deliver care to patients
from different cultural backgrounds?
A. Cultural imposition
B. Cultural awareness
C. Cultural sensitivity
D. Cultural competence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cultural competence is the integration of knowledge, attitudes, and skills that
enhance cross-cultural interactions and effective care.
3. A nurse avoids making assumptions about a client’s beliefs and customs based on their
ethnicity. This action best reflects which concept?
A. Cultural humility
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B. Ethnocentrism
C. Cultural stereotyping
D. Cultural blindness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection and openness to
understanding a patient's unique cultural identity.
4. A patient from a non-English-speaking background nods during a teaching session. What
should the nurse do next?
A. Assume the patient understands the instructions
B. Ask the patient to explain back the instructions in their own words
C. Document that education was completed successfully
D. Repeat the same instructions more slowly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nodding may be a sign of politeness rather than understanding. Using teach-
back ensures true comprehension.
5. Which of the following best represents cultural sensitivity in communication?
A. Speaking loudly to be better understood
B. Avoiding the use of slang or idioms
C. Limiting eye contact with all patients
D. Repeating the same phrase multiple times
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Slang or idioms can be confusing or offensive to patients from different cultural
backgrounds.
6. A nurse refers to a traditional healing practice as “primitive” in front of a client. This is an
example of:
A. Cultural preservation
B. Cultural respect
C. Cultural bias
D. Cultural empowerment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Labeling another culture’s practices as primitive reflects bias and hinders
therapeutic communication.
7. Which behavior by the nurse reflects ethnocentrism?
A. Asking the client to share their beliefs
B. Using a professional medical interpreter
C. Learning key phrases in the client’s language
D. Believing their culture’s healthcare system is superior
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's culture is superior, which can impair
culturally competent care.
8. When using a professional interpreter for a non-English-speaking patient, the nurse
should:
A. Speak only to the interpreter
NCLEX RN Exam Bank: Cultural Competence and
Communication in Diverse Settings
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice (Questions 1–20) ..... 2
Subtopic 2: Communication Strategies Across Language Barriers (Questions 21–40) ....... 10
Subtopic 3: Nonverbal Communication and Cultural Expression (Questions 41–60) ........ 18
Subtopic 4: Cultural Health Beliefs and Illness Perception (Questions 61–80) .................. 26
Subtopic 6: Nonverbal Communication, Personal Space, and Cross-Cultural Etiquette ... 43
, 2
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Cultural Competence in
Nursing Practice (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is caring for a client from a collectivist culture who values family involvement in
healthcare decisions. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Make healthcare decisions without family input to avoid delays
B. Involve the family in discussions and decisions as per the client’s wishes
C. Encourage the client to make decisions independently
D. Limit family visits to maintain confidentiality
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In collectivist cultures, family plays a significant role in decision-making.
Respecting this dynamic enhances cultural competence and client-centered care.
2. Which term best describes the ability of a nurse to effectively deliver care to patients
from different cultural backgrounds?
A. Cultural imposition
B. Cultural awareness
C. Cultural sensitivity
D. Cultural competence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cultural competence is the integration of knowledge, attitudes, and skills that
enhance cross-cultural interactions and effective care.
3. A nurse avoids making assumptions about a client’s beliefs and customs based on their
ethnicity. This action best reflects which concept?
A. Cultural humility
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B. Ethnocentrism
C. Cultural stereotyping
D. Cultural blindness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cultural humility involves ongoing self-reflection and openness to
understanding a patient's unique cultural identity.
4. A patient from a non-English-speaking background nods during a teaching session. What
should the nurse do next?
A. Assume the patient understands the instructions
B. Ask the patient to explain back the instructions in their own words
C. Document that education was completed successfully
D. Repeat the same instructions more slowly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nodding may be a sign of politeness rather than understanding. Using teach-
back ensures true comprehension.
5. Which of the following best represents cultural sensitivity in communication?
A. Speaking loudly to be better understood
B. Avoiding the use of slang or idioms
C. Limiting eye contact with all patients
D. Repeating the same phrase multiple times
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Slang or idioms can be confusing or offensive to patients from different cultural
backgrounds.
6. A nurse refers to a traditional healing practice as “primitive” in front of a client. This is an
example of:
A. Cultural preservation
B. Cultural respect
C. Cultural bias
D. Cultural empowerment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Labeling another culture’s practices as primitive reflects bias and hinders
therapeutic communication.
7. Which behavior by the nurse reflects ethnocentrism?
A. Asking the client to share their beliefs
B. Using a professional medical interpreter
C. Learning key phrases in the client’s language
D. Believing their culture’s healthcare system is superior
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's culture is superior, which can impair
culturally competent care.
8. When using a professional interpreter for a non-English-speaking patient, the nurse
should:
A. Speak only to the interpreter
