The nurse is caring for a client who is of the Islamic faith who has died.
Which appropriate action should the nurse take?
The nurse is caring for a client who is of the Islamic faith who has died.
Which appropriate action should the nurse take?
A. Prepare the client for cremation
[8%]
B. Position the client facing Mecca
[77%]
C. Keep the client's eyelids open
[3%]
D. Keep the client uncovered
[11%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Fundamentals
Lesson
Cultural, Spiritual, and Religion Concepts
Client Need
Test Plan
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Topic
End of Life Care
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice B is correct. In Islamic tradition, it is customary to position the deceased person's body facing the holy city of Mecca during the preparation for burial. This is an important religious practice, as Mecca is considered the holiest city in Islam. Mecca is located in western Saudi Arabia. The specific direction to Mecca varies depending on the geographical location of the observer.
Choice A is incorrect. Preparing the client for cremation is not in alignment with Islamic religious practices. Islam traditionally calls for burial, not cremation.
Choice C is incorrect. Keeping the client's eyelids open is not a standard practice in Islamic burial customs. Typically, the deceased person's eyes are closed as a sign of respect.
Choice D is incorrect. Keeping the client uncovered is also not in line with Islamic burial customs. The deceased person's body is usually covered and prepared for burial according to Islamic rituals and cultural traditions.
Learning Objective
Recognize the diverse cultural/religious practices better to address the needs of clients from different religions.
Related Videos
4 Key Topics
Islam
13.6 Religious Considerations
Postmortem Care
9.6 End-of-Life Care
Additional Info
✓ For the client who is a follower of Islam, general tenets of this religion include:
- The eyelids should be closed at death, and the body should be covered. Before moving and handling the body, contact someone from the person’s mosque to perform rituals of bathing and wrapping the body in cloth. Death may be viewed as the beginning of a new life.
- Dietary practices include the avoidance of pork. Ramadan is a period of fasting during the ninth lunar month. During Ramadan, fasting is done from dawn to sunset.
- Women prefer healthcare workers who are female and value modesty.
✓ It's essential for healthcare providers to be culturally sensitive and respectful of the religious beliefs and customs of their clients and their families. This includes understanding and adhering to specific religious practices related to death and burial.
✓ In some cases, it may be appropriate to collaborate with local religious leaders or clergy to ensure that the client's religious needs are met appropriately. They can provide guidance and support during end-of-life care and preparations for burial.
