A client who is Muslim is refusing to eat food served to him by a nursing assistant. The nurse should do which of the following? Select all that apply.

  • arrange a mealtime that will avoid prayer times
  • remove farm-raised catfish from the food tray
  • arrange with the family for halal food to be brought from home
  • deliver food by a nursing assistant of the same sex
Numbers 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
From an Islamic perspective, prayer time is sacred and other activities should be avoided. Food brought by family members from home is beneficial as it is prepared using Islamic traditions. Modesty and privacy are honored in the Muslim tradition where care by a staff member of the same sex is preferable. Fish killed by removal from water are considered halal (lawful) and may be eaten.