Capella FPX 4015 Assessment 4

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Capella University

NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care

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Date

Caring for Special Populations Teaching Presentation

African Americans represent one of the largest racial minority groups in the United States and possess a unique cultural identity shaped by a complex, inequitable history. These historical and social factors have had a profound effect on their healthcare experiences and outcomes. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and maternal mortality disproportionately affect African Americans compared to White Americans. Cultural beliefs also play a vital role in influencing health behaviors and care preferences. This presentation aims to explore the defining characteristics, cultural values, prevalent health disparities, and effective nursing approaches required to provide culturally appropriate care for African American patients.

Introduction to the Concerned Population

The African American population is characterized by a rich cultural heritage and a challenging history marked by systemic discrimination. Their healthcare needs are influenced by variables such as socioeconomic factors, healthcare accessibility, and deep-rooted cultural traditions. A significant feature of African American culture is the emphasis on family and communal support in health-related decision-making. Spirituality and religious faith are also integral, providing comfort and coping mechanisms in the face of health challenges (Omenka et al., 2020). However, despite these protective cultural elements, disparities persist. African American women, for instance, face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, with women aged 30 to 34 experiencing rates more than four times higher than their White counterparts (Njoku et al., 2023).

Factors such as institutional racism, geographic disparities, and limited health insurance contribute to restricted healthcare access. Additionally, historical events, including unethical studies like the Tuskegee Syphilis experiment, have cultivated a deep-seated mistrust of the medical establishment (Shukla et al., 2025). Addressing these disparities requires culturally aware care, incorporating historical context, family-centered care models, and acknowledgment of spiritual beliefs to improve patient outcomes and engagement.

Cultural Values and Beliefs Related to Healthcare

Cultural values significantly shape healthcare behaviors and experiences within African American communities. Family plays a pivotal role, often participating actively in healthcare decisions rather than leaving them solely to the individual (Obringer, 2022). The importance of family cohesion extends to treatment preferences and interactions with healthcare professionals. Spirituality is another central component, influencing both health behaviors and responses to illness. In times of sickness, faith practices such as prayer and scripture reading are often employed alongside medical treatments, which are viewed as complementary to spiritual healing (Siler et al., 2021). Furthermore, some African Americans may incorporate traditional healing practices, such as herbal remedies or consultations with community elders and religious leaders. Understanding and respecting these traditions allows healthcare professionals to offer patient-centered, culturally sensitive care while ensuring adherence to necessary medical interventions.

Healthcare Inequities Faced by Racial Minorities

Persistent systemic inequalities, compounded by social determinants of health, result in disproportionate healthcare challenges for African Americans. Chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease occur at significantly higher rates compared to White Americans. These disparities are fueled by long-standing racial discrimination, healthcare access limitations, economic inequalities, and chronic stress exposure. Yearby et al. (2022) reported that in 2019, employer-provided health insurance covered 66% of White workers but only 47% of Black workers, with structural racism cited as a primary driver for the 1.5 times higher uninsured rate in African Americans. Black maternal mortality remains alarmingly high, four times that of White women (Njoku et al., 2023).

Beyond medical disparities, African Americans also contend with social factors like poverty, unsafe neighborhoods, food insecurity, limited transportation, and education disparities, all of which negatively impact health outcomes. Discrimination and implicit bias within healthcare systems foster mistrust and deter timely care-seeking behaviors (Shukla et al., 2025). The historical trauma associated with medical exploitation continues to breed skepticism toward medical authorities. Addressing these multifaceted disparities demands comprehensive, culturally sensitive interventions, advocacy for systemic reforms, and investment in community-based health programs aimed at achieving health equity.

Techniques for Culturally Competent Nursing Care

To deliver culturally competent care for African American patients, nurses must implement strategies that foster trust, respect cultural practices, and actively address disparities. Key interventions include:

Establishing Trust and Transparent Communication: Recognizing the impact of historical injustices on African American communities is essential. Nurses should provide transparent explanations of care plans and validate patient concerns, which builds trust and improves care adherence (Shukla et al., 2025).
Incorporating Spirituality in Care: Given the significance of spirituality in African American culture, healthcare providers should integrate spiritual care by collaborating with chaplains, offering prayer opportunities, and acknowledging religious needs within the care plan. This practice enhances coping abilities and healthcare engagement (Harvin et al., 2020).
Facilitating Access to Community Resources: Nurses should address social determinants of health by connecting patients with community support services, including transportation programs, food banks, and local healthcare centers. These interventions help reduce healthcare barriers and improve outcomes (Tiase et al., 2022).

By integrating these culturally responsive strategies, nurses can offer more inclusive, equitable care and improve overall patient outcomes for African American populations.

Case Studies: Practicing Culturally Competent Nursing

Several case examples illustrate the importance of culturally sensitive nursing practices in caring for African American patients. One study evaluated the effectiveness of a faith-based hypertension management program among African American adults. The eight-week initiative combined health education with spiritual activities such as prayer and scripture reading for participants with a hypertension diagnosis (Harvin et al., 2020). Incorporating these culturally relevant elements improved patient trust, participation, and self-care outcomes.

Personal clinical experiences also highlight culturally competent care. In one case, a nurse in a primary care setting supported an African American patient with uncontrolled hypertension by involving church community members in the patient’s care plan. This culturally sensitive approach enhanced trust and medication compliance. In another instance, a nurse in an emergency department identified a patient’s reluctance during discharge education. Recognizing cultural mistrust, the nurse spent additional time clarifying the treatment plan, encouraged family involvement, and used open-ended communication techniques. This culturally aware method resulted in improved adherence to follow-up care.

Valuable Resources for Further Learning

Nurses aiming to expand their cultural competence can access several educational resources. The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) offers professional development opportunities, workshops, and advocacy programs targeting African American healthcare (Dawson, 2021). The American Nurses Association (ANA) provides diversity and inclusion modules addressing health disparities and culturally appropriate care practices. Additionally, the Think Cultural Health initiative offers free, evidence-based Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) training tailored for nurses. These modules improve understanding of cultural beliefs, communication techniques, and equitable healthcare delivery (Think Cultural Health, n.d.). Local community initiatives, such as partnerships with African American churches and faith-based outreach programs, also provide valuable opportunities for culturally appropriate care experience. By utilizing these resources, nurses can enhance cultural competence and advocate effectively for health equity within African American communities.

Conclusion

In summary, delivering culturally competent care to African American patients requires an understanding of their cultural values, historical experiences, and the health disparities they face. Building trust, recognizing the importance of spirituality, addressing social determinants of health, and advocating for equity are essential nursing responsibilities. Evidence-based strategies and clinical experiences demonstrate that culturally responsive care fosters strong nurse-patient relationships and promotes health equity. Ongoing education, cultural self-awareness, and active engagement with community resources are vital for professional growth. Through dedication to culturally competent practices, nurses play a pivotal role in reducing health disparities and advancing healthcare equity for African American populations.

References

Dawson, M. A. (2021). Black nurses collaborative approach to addressing COVID-19 in Black communities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-00987-9

Harvin, L. A., Winter, D. M., Hoover, E. L., & Lewis, L. M. (2020). A faith-based intervention to improve hypertension management among African Americans. Journal of Christian Nursing, 37(1), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/cnj.0000000000000676

Njoku, A., Evans, M., Nimo-Sefah, L., & Bailey, J. (2023). Listen to the whispers before they become screams: Addressing Black maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Healthcare, 11(3), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030438

Obringer, K. (2022). African American family members’ needs and experiences during a loved one’s end-of-life. Illinois State University. Theses and Dissertations. https://doi.org/10.30707/etd2023.20230711063202575583.999952

Capella FPX 4015 Assessment 4

Omenka, O. I., Watson, D. P., & Hendrie, H. C. (2020). Understanding the healthcare experiences and needs of African immigrants in the United States: A scoping review. BMC Public Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-8127-9

Shukla, M., Schilt-Solberg, M., & Gibson-Scipio, W. (2025). Medical mistrust: A concept analysis. Nursing Reports, 15(3), 103–103. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15030103

Siler, S., Arora, K., Doyon, K., & Fischer, S. M. (2021). Spirituality and the illness experience: Perspectives of African American older adults. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 38(6), 618–625. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909120988280

Think Cultural Health. (n.d.). Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in nursing. Thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov. https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/nursing/

Tiase, V., Crookston, C. D., Schoenbaum, A., & Valu, M. (2022). Nurses’ role in addressing social determinants of health. Nursing, 52(4), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000823284.16666.96

Yearby, R., Clark, B., & Figueroa, J. F. (2022). Structural racism in historical and modern US health care policy. Health Affairs, 41(2), 187–194. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.0146