To promote a successful spiritual care plan, which initial step should the nurse take?

• A. Developing an awareness of one's own beliefs about the connection between spirituality and health.
• B. Ensuring patient adheres to spiritual practices.
• C. Announcing a plan to the patient's family.
• D. Focusing on physical symptoms only.

Answer: (A)

Starting spiritual care with self-awareness about your own beliefs and how they relate to health is essential. When a nurse recognizes personal beliefs and biases, they can approach patients without judgment, invite authentic sharing, and build a respectful, patient-centered spiritual assessment. This foundation enables care that aligns with the patient’s values and wishes rather than imposing the nurse’s views. The other options either press the patient to follow specific practices, breach privacy by involving family without consent, or ignore the spiritual dimension entirely by focusing only on physical symptoms.