Reference no: EM133258096

Case Study: Brenda Mathers is native-born, Caucasian, registered nurse working in a community family clinic with a size able refugee and immigrant community. She had been working with Mrs.

I, an immigrant of the Mien ethnic group from Laos, since Mrs. I's youngest child, Sara, was referred as a newborn by the WIC program. Sara is now six months old and the child's mother has brought her in for a well child visit. Brenda observes a happy baby with growth and developmental indicators normal for her age. As she continues with the customary physical exam, however, she notices a set of small, red blisters to one side of the baby's navel. When asked about them, Mrs. I readily explains that they are burns that are healing; burns resulting from a typical Mien cure for constipation. Mrs. I was too afraid to accidentally burn the baby, so she asked her mother-in-law to do it because she is an expert in this cure. The cure involved dipping a reed in pork fat, lighting it, and waving the flame over the baby's belly until tiny blisters appeared, then applying Tiger Balm to help them heal. Baby Sara began to improve soon after, explaining why Mrs. I had not brought her to the clinic. Brenda is both appalled by this practice, yet doesn't want to be overreact or be insensitive -- she wonders how she should respond.

1. What is the dilemma posed by cultural differences here?

2. How can Brenda apply principles of cultural competence in responding to this family? Be specific about the.