A Muslim client explains prayers must be performed five times a day in the hospital and asks which direction is west. What should the nurse recognize in this client?

• A. The client is demonstrating an active faith practice.
• B. The client is seeking to avoid care.
• C. The client is engaging in unsafe behavior.
• D. The client is uninterested in spirituality.

Answer: (A)

Active faith practice is shown when someone seeks to fulfill religious duties even in a hospital setting. For a Muslim, prayer five times a day is a core practice, and facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca (the Qibla) guides those prayers. The patient asking which direction is west demonstrates a sincere intention to maintain this obligation while receiving care.

The nurse should respond with support and respect, helping the patient find the appropriate Qibla direction in the hospital environment, and coordinating care around prayer times as feasible. This reflects holistic care that honors spiritual needs and helps the patient feel culturally and religiously supported.

It isn’t about avoiding care, unsafe behavior, or disinterest—it's about actively integrating spirituality into the healing process.