ASNA Independent Study Activity - Cultural Assessment of Koreans

Alabama Nurse,  Sep-Nov 2003  by Roberson, Charlene M

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Activities of Daily Living: They are very modest and women are more so than men. Provide for their privacy. In addition they are often cold natured and like the room warm by US standards. Koreans are veiy clean. They may need extra towels and cloths. At times they rub their skin to help exfoliate the dead cells. Older women tend to wash their hair once or twice a week. They frequently trim their nails and prefer to do their own care. If an elder needs care the younger family member will provide care without being asked. Again let them do this. Let them perform this care even if the patient is able to care for self.

Food Practices: Koreans eat 2-3 meals a day. In addition they eat many snacks and especially like fruit. They will eat until full and may not eat lunch if a big breakfast is consumed. The evening meal is always the largest and the entire family eats together. Meals are eaten with a large spoon or chop sticks. They do not like cold fluids as this is equated with causing imbalance or illness. The diet is usually high in fiber and spicy. Special favorites are Kim-chee (spicy cabbage), soups, and noodles. Rice is usually eaten with every meal. The diet consists of many vegetables and little meat. Barley water is a particular favorite beverage. It is non-alcoholic and consumed much like Americans drink sodas or Lemonade. Elders often fear tap water (practice dating back to when Korean water was not purified) and therefore will boil the water and keep in the refrigerator. Many Koreans are Lactose intolerant and thus dairy products are not popular. They use food as a prescription, i.e. Ginseng for colds, black tea with honey and slices of lemon, etc. In addition they believe that a sick person may be helped with eating spicy soups with onions and garlic. In the health care setting food or drink may be refused when first offered out of politeness - even if desired. Korean culture dictates an immediate refusal. Nurses should repeat the offer at least two (2) more times to make sure the patient does not want the food or beverage.

Symptom Management: Men are especially stoic in regard to pain. A typical comment might be, "I could die." There is need for frequent, careful assessments of non-verbal clues for pain. If family members are present the patient may thrash around and be dramatic. Koreans fear pain medication - they fear addiction. The preference is for oral or intravenous administration in lieu of intramuscular medications. The intramuscular medication route is considered invasive.

If the person vomits they will tell you after the fact. They wish to vomit in private and probably will refuse an anti-emetic medication. Facts about diarrhea or constipation will not be Shared due to modesty. A Korean may take a laxative in private. Enemas will not be permitted.

Maternal Child Issues: A Korean woman will seek prenatal care and carefully follow recommendations of the health care provider. She will prefer a female doctor. Expect women to take a few home remedies such as Seaweed soup . to cleanse the blood and help with milk production. In addition some women may avoid eating chicken, crab, eggs, duck, and rabbit as it may harm the infant's character or appearance. Rest is encouraged for pregnant women.