how to conduct a spiritual assessment. usinf FICA and other assessment tools

1. Spiritual
Assessment
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

2. Why assess spirituality?
• religion and spirituality have been r/t a person’s
greater well-being in the face of chronic disease
mgmt and assistance in adhering to medical
regimen
• religion and spirituality can be powerful coping
mechanisms when a person faces end-of-life
issues
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

3. religion and spirituality have been r/t lower
levels of morality, less heart dse, lower BP, less
depression, lower levels of stress, less alcohol
and tobacco abuse, greater well-being and
optimism, and positive health habits
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

4. • clients have also called for medical providers to
address spiritual issues during client-provider
interactions
• nurses have more opportunities to address
spiritual concerns with clients bcoz nurses are
the primary points of contact for most clients
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

5. MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS
AND COMMON HEALTH
BELIEFS
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

6. SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT
TECHNIQUES
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

7. o Note: spirituality is multidimensional and unique
to each individual
o these presents difficulties in proper assessment
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

8. Spiritual assessment techniques
Nonformal
Formal
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

9. • Nonformal
o FICA spiritual assessment tool
o nonformal in the sense of asking open-ended
questions and allowing client to disclose pertinent
information
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

10. • Formal
o use of formal instruments
o Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale
o Brief Religious Coping Questionnaire (RCOPE)
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

11. ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

12. • Listen to client’s story and seek clarification
when needed
• Observe nonverbal and verbal communication
patterns in presence of others
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

13. Begin to focus questions
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

14. o We have been discussion your support systems.
I was wondering, what is there in your life that
gives you internal support?
o What are your sources of hope, strength,
comfort, and peace?
o What do you hold onto during difficult time?
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

15. o What sustains you and keeps you going?
o For some people, their religious or spiritual
beliefs act as a source of comfort and strength in
dealing with life’s ups and downs; is this true for
you?
o use FICA spiritual assessment tool
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

16. Continue to assess other dimensions of
spirituality within groups
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

17. o Ask about organizational and religious
involvement (note: remember that not all
persons who state they are religious and/or
spiritual are involved with organized religious
grps or ascribe to all the religious practices of
that group)
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

18. o Do you consider yourself part of an organized
religion?
o How important is this to you?
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

19. o What aspects of you religion are helpful or not
so helpful to you?
o Are you part os religious or spiritual
community? Does it help you? How?
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

20. Directly address beliefs that may conflict or
affect one’s health care.
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

21. o Has being sick (or your current situation)
affected your ability to do the things that usually
help your spirituality? (Or affected your
relationship with God?)
o As a nurse, is there anything I can do to help
you access the resources that usually help you?
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

22. o Would it be helpful for you to speak to a clinical
chaplain/community spiritual leader?
o Are there any spiritual restrictions I should
know about in providing your medical care?
(e.g., dietary restrictions, use of blood products)
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

23. If the client is dying – How do your beliefs
affect the kind of (nursing) care you would like
me to provide over the net few
days/weeks/months?
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

24. • Use assessment tools
o Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale
o Brief Religious Coping Questionnaire (RCOPE)
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

25. SELECTED NURSING
DIAGNOSES
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN

26. • Wellness Diagnosis: Readiness for enhanced
Spiritual well-being
• Risk diagnosis: Risk for Spiritual distress
• Actual diagnosis: Spiritual distress
Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, RN, MSN