Which statement demonstrates cultural competence?

• A. I know how you feel.
• B. Tell me about your health care beliefs.
• C. Let me show you the way you should do this.
• D. You can do things in a more modern way now.

Answer: (B)

Cultural competence in nursing means recognizing that patients come from diverse backgrounds with different health beliefs, values, and practices, and actively inviting their input to guide care. The statement that asks, “Tell me about your health care beliefs,” shows this approach by opening a dialogue, showing respect, and avoiding assumptions. It helps uncover beliefs that could affect treatment decisions—such as use of traditional remedies, dietary or religious practices, or who should participate in decisions—so the plan can be aligned with the patient’s values. This builds trust, supports shared decision-making, and can improve adherence and outcomes. Statements that presume similarity, push for a single “modern” approach, or tell the patient what to do can undermine autonomy and fail to honor cultural differences.