SOCIOLOGY - Nature, scope and significance of sociology in nursing
Sociology is the study of human society, social behavior, relationships, and institutions. In nursing, it helps professionals understand the social, cultural, and economic backgrounds of patients, which influence their health beliefs, behaviors, and access to care.
The scope of sociology in nursing includes understanding family structures, social norms, cultural diversity, health inequalities, social roles, and community health issues. It enables nurses to deliver care that is not only clinically effective but also socially sensitive and patient-centered.
The significance of sociology in nursing lies in promoting holistic care, improving nurse-patient communication, addressing social determinants of health, and contributing to better public health outcomes. It also prepares nurses to work effectively in multicultural and community-based settings, making care more equitable and inclusive.
Time: 15:00
What is the primary focus of sociology as it applies to nursing?
[a] The study of individual mental processes and emotions.
[b] The study of how social structures, relationships, and culture impact health and illness.
[c] The biological and physiological basis of disease.
[d] The historical development of nursing as a profession.
The "social determinants of health" refer to:
[a] The genetic predispositions a person has to certain diseases.
[b] A patient's personal choices regarding diet and exercise.
[c] The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect health.
[d] The specific viruses and bacteria that cause infectious diseases.
A nurse who understands and respects a patient's unique cultural beliefs about health and death is demonstrating:
[a] Social stratification
[b] Sympathy
[c] Cultural competence
[d] Ethnocentrism
Which of the following is a key reason sociology is significant for nursing practice?
[a] It allows nurses to prescribe medications more effectively.
[b] It teaches nurses how to perform complex surgical procedures.
[c] It helps nurses understand the non-medical factors that influence a patient's health.
[d] It focuses exclusively on improving hospital administration.
The study of family structures, such as nuclear, extended, or single-parent families, falls under the scope of sociology. This is important for nurses because the family unit often:
[a] Determines the patient's genetic code.
[b] Acts as the primary social support system and influences health decisions.
[c] Pays for all medical expenses.
[d] Is not relevant to the patient's hospital stay.
The concept of the "sick role," as described by sociologist Talcott Parsons, includes which societal expectation of a legitimately sick person?
[a] They are expected to continue their normal work duties.
[b] They are blamed for their own illness.
[c] They are exempt from normal social roles and are obligated to seek competent help.
[d] They are expected to self-diagnose and treat their condition without help.
A patient's reluctance to seek help for a mental health issue due to fear of being judged by their community is an example of the impact of:
[a] Social mobility
[b] Social stigma
[c] Socialization
[d] Social contract
A nurse working in a low-income urban community notices a high rate of asthma among children. A sociological perspective would prompt the nurse to consider which factor?
[a] The individual genetic makeup of each child.
[b] The parents' personal failure to keep their children healthy.
[c] Environmental factors like air pollution and poor housing conditions in the area.
[d] The children's natural preference for indoor activities.
The term "health disparities" refers to:
[a] The different types of health insurance plans available.
[b] The variety of diseases that exist in the world.
[c] The preventable differences in health outcomes experienced by socially disadvantaged groups.
[d] The personal health choices made by individuals.
Viewing the hospital as a complex social system with its own rules, roles (doctor, nurse, patient), and hierarchy is an application of:
[a] Clinical psychology
[b] Human anatomy
[c] Epidemiology
[d] Medical sociology
Which of the following is NOT considered a social determinant of health?
[a] Level of education
[b] Access to safe housing
[c] A person's eye color
[d] Socioeconomic status
The process by which an individual learns the health beliefs, values, and behaviors of their culture is known as:
[a] Social stratification
[b] Socialization
[c] Social conflict
[d] Social deviance
A nurse advocates for policy changes to improve access to fresh food in a "food desert." This action demonstrates an understanding of:
[a] Individual patient psychology.
[b] The nurse's own personal preferences.
[c] The impact of community and environment on population health.
[d] The best way to administer medications.
The nature of the nurse-patient relationship can be sociologically described as a:
[a] Purely biological transaction.
[b] Social interaction guided by professional roles and cultural norms.
[c] A relationship where the nurse holds all the power.
[d] A simple exchange of services for payment.
Which sociological concept best explains why a person from a higher socioeconomic status generally has better health outcomes than someone from a lower status?
[a] They have a stronger genetic makeup.
[b] They have better personal hygiene habits.
[c] They are inherently more intelligent.
[d] They have greater access to resources like quality healthcare, education, and nutrition.
The scope of sociology in nursing includes the study of urbanization. This is relevant because health challenges in dense urban areas often involve:
[a] Lack of access to any form of healthcare.
[b] Overcrowding, sanitation issues, and faster spread of communicable diseases.
[c] A population that is too healthy to require nursing care.
[d] An abundance of fresh, locally grown food.
A patient's religious beliefs prohibit them from receiving a blood transfusion. A sociologically informed nurse will:
[a] Ignore the patient's beliefs and proceed with the transfusion.
[b] Try to convince the patient that their beliefs are wrong.
[c] Respect the patient's autonomy and work with the healthcare team to find alternatives.
[d] Discharge the patient for being non-compliant.
The concept that views health and illness not just as biological realities but as conditions that society gives meaning to is called:
[a] The medical model
[b] The germ theory
[c] The social construction of illness
[d] The anatomical model
How does understanding social class help a nurse with patient education?
[a] It doesn't, as all patients should receive the exact same materials.
[b] It helps the nurse tailor language and resources based on the patient's likely literacy level and access to resources.
[c] It allows the nurse to prioritize patients from higher social classes.
[d] It helps the nurse decide which patients should pay more for care.
The increasing average age of the population is a demographic trend. A sociological perspective helps nurses understand this will increase the demand for:
[a] Pediatric and maternity services.
[b] Geriatric care and management of chronic diseases.
[c] Emergency trauma care.
[d] Sports medicine.
A patient from a collectivist culture may prefer to have their entire family present when discussing their diagnosis. This is an example of the influence of ________ on healthcare.
[a] Social deviance
[b] The sick role
[c] Hospital policy
[d] Cultural values
A nurse notices that health recommendations emphasizing individual responsibility (e.g., "pull yourself up by your bootstraps") may not be effective for patients facing significant social barriers. This insight is derived from:
[a] A purely medical perspective.
[b] A sociological imagination.
[c] A study of pharmacology.
[d] The nurse's personal opinion.
Studying gender as a social construct is significant for nurses because:
[a] Men and women are biologically identical.
[b] It has no impact on health.
[c] Societal gender roles can influence health-seeking behaviors and risk factors for certain conditions.
[d] It is only relevant for reproductive health.
The scope of sociology covers social institutions. How is the healthcare system itself considered a social institution?
[a] It is just a collection of buildings.
[b] It is an organized system with specific purposes, roles, and norms designed to meet a societal need.
[c] It exists separately from society.
[d] It only employs doctors and nurses.
Ultimately, the goal of integrating sociology into nursing is to:
[a] Turn nurses into sociologists.
[b] Make nursing more complicated and theoretical.
[c] Focus on society instead of the individual patient.
[d] Promote health equity and provide more effective, holistic, and patient-centered care.
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