A male nurse is assigned to care for a female Muslim client. Which response best respects the client's modesty and cultural needs when bathing is needed?

• A. I will bathe you myself to ensure cleanliness.
• B. I will ask the family to arrange for bathing.
• C. I will contact housekeeping to arrange bathing.
• D. I will ask one of the female nurses to bathe you.

Answer: (D)

Respecting modesty and cultural needs is essential in nursing, especially with Muslim clients who may prefer same-gender care for intimate tasks like bathing. Providing care by a caregiver of the same gender helps protect privacy, reduces embarrassment, and aligns with religious and cultural expectations, which supports the client's comfort and trust in the care team.

Choosing a female nurse to bathe the client demonstrates a patient-centered approach, honoring the client's preferences and maintaining dignity during a sensitive procedure. If a same-gender staff member is not available, the next steps would still prioritize privacy and consent, but the option to involve family or housekeeping is not appropriate for direct, personal care in most clinical settings. Having the male nurse bathe the client would contravene modesty preferences, and asking family or housekeeping to handle bathing typically falls outside standard professional responsibilities and may undermine privacy.