Caution: These are broad generalizations and should not be used to stereotype any individuals.
Communication
•Provide frequent
updates on patient treatments and progress to help allay the anxiety of
family members.
•They may expect
nurses to be friendly, warm, caring, and to "feel" for them.
•Use hand gestures
and facial expressions when English proficiency is minimal.
•They may speak
loudly and seem abrasive. This was necessary in Russia to get attention
in the healthcare system.
•Make direct eye
contact, be firm, and be respectful.
•Address patients
as "Mr." or "Mrs."
Gender
Relations
•The gender of the
provider is usually not an issue, but they may prefer to have a family
member of the same gender present when performing personal care.
Expression
of Pain
•They tend to have
a high pain threshold and stoic attitude regarding pain.
•Encourage appropriate
pain management and pre-medicate for dressing changes or daily care that
causes discomfort.
Pregnancy
and Birth
•Exercise
& lifting heavy objects often avoided during pregnancy.
•Female relative often the preferred labor & delivery partner.
End
of Life Issues
•Since
family members may want to withhold a fatal diagnosis from the patient,
ask patient upon admission (or before the need arises, if possible) whom
should be given information about his/her condition.
•Autopsies and organ donations may be refused due to the sacredness of the body.
Health
Related Practices
•Many, especially
the elderly, believe that illness results from cold. Therefore, keep them
covered, close windows, keep the room warm, and avoid iced drinks...especially
if they have a fever.
•They will often
prefer sponge baths to showers.
•They may not like
taking large numbers of pills. Space medication administration so that
as few pills as possible are given at one time.
•They may prefer
non-pharmacologic interventions for nausea, including lemon slices, ginger
ale, mineral water, or weak tea with lemon.
•Be aware that they
may practice cupping; resulting marks should not be misinterpreted as
abuse or a symptom.
•Patients and their families may frequently offer small gifts of food or chocolate. Accept them, as it may be perceived as rude to turn them down.
Note: Information for this profile is based on the work of Peter Anderson, R.N. and from Evanikoff, L.J. (1996) Russians. In JG Lipson, SL Dibble, and PA Minarik (Eds.), Culture and Nursing Care: A Pocket Guide (pp. 239-249). San Francisco: UCSF Nursing Press.
