How to Care for a Costa Rican Patient- Kaitlyn Usry

How to Care for a Costa Rican Patient

Now that I have visited the beautiful land of Costa Rica and have lived out the culture for a couple of weeks, I have a better understanding of how to care for these beautiful people. The following bullets are only some of the many interventions a nurse could perform to make the care for a Costa Rican patient more effective.

1. Get an English/Spanish Dictionary- This is one of the most important interventions. Without good communication it will be very difficult to care for both the patient and the family. Use the dictionary as often as possible to have effective communication with the patient.
2. Incorporate the family into the planning and care of the patient- family is very important to this culture and their help will often make care easier and more comfortable for both the nurse and the patient. Remember, all decisions should be made by the patient. What is done should ultimately be the patient’s decision.
3. Use natural light to brighten the room- natural light is used during the day in Costa Rica to light up the homes and is used whenever possible.
4. Offer fruits as often as possible- while fruits are great for the body, they are also an important part of the Costa Rican diet and are usually eaten at every meal. Rice and beans are also a staple in their diet and should be offered, as well. ( if not contraindicated)
5. Use touch as a form of care- Costa Ricans are very generous and caring people. They often use touch to communicate and it would be beneficial for the patient if touch is used in his or her care!
6. Regulate the patient’s water temperature to his or her liking if the patient is bed bound. So many times we immediately place hot water in the wash basin because that is what the American culture likes and uses. However, many Costa Ricans bathe in cold water and might prefer that over warm water.

While these are no where near all of the considerations needed to care for a patient from Costa Rica, these most certainly are some important points that should be taken into consideration. It is always important to remember that care must be individualized and catered to meet each patient’s needs. It is important, as a nurse, with all patients, to look up cultural considerations and how to best care for each patient.

Best,

Katie