Questions for Jehovah's Witness

I am getting some info on a medication that is a blood component and want to properly say how to ask pts for their religious practices. Would you say "Ask pt is they are a practicing Jehovah's Witness" or maybe "ask pt if they are an observing Jehovah's Witness" Or just ask pt if they are a Jehovah's Witness? Is one way proper, while another is improper? Thanks!
I would ask the pt if he or she has any objection to receiving a blood product, and leave out religion, unless the patient brings it up. Just inform the patients and leave the decisions up to them.

Not all Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood products and not everyone who doesn't want blood products is a Jehovah's Witness, so it's better to ask the question more directly (describe the medication containing blood products and ensure they consent to receiving it, just like you would for any other medication).

Just ask if they are okay with getting blood or blood products. There are people opposed to it that are not Jehovah

I always ask if there are any religious or cultural beliefs or practices that I neec to be aware of to best provide their care.

I know you're not asking for a grammar lesson, but you're getting one anyway. A patient is not a they. I know people say it all the time, but they is plural, and is not an acceptable substitute for an (unknown gender) singular. When you find yourself about to say or write, " I asked my patient about their symptoms," if you aren't asking the patient about the symptoms of a bunch of other people, you must recast the sentence to be grammatically correct. "I asked the patient about her symptoms," or "I asked the patients about their symptoms," or, "To find out about the children's illness, I asked him about their symptoms."So. You would say, "Ask patients if they have any preferences or beliefs about receiving blood or blood products" (because even among the JW population there are variations), or "Ask the patient about preferences or beliefs regarding receiving blood or blood products."

Quote from GrnTeaI know you're not asking for a grammar lesson, but you're getting one anyway.A patient is not a they. I know people say it all the time, but they is plural, and is not an acceptable substitute for an (unknown gender) singular. When you find yourself about to say or write, " I asked my patient about their symptoms," if you aren't asking the patient about the symptoms of a bunch of other people, you must recast the sentence to be grammatically correct. "I asked the patient about her symptoms," or "I asked the patients about their symptoms," or, "To find out about the children's illness, I asked him about their symptoms."So. You would say, "Ask patients if they have any preferences or beliefs about receiving blood or blood products" (because even among the JW population there are variations), or "Ask the patient about preferences or beliefs regarding receiving blood or blood products."

Well written sleepyrn

Any truly practicing Jehovah's Witness will likely have made their beliefs known at the beginning of whatever medical procedure is to be done. And, if you are still going to ask specifically "are you one of Jehovah's Witnesses?"should do just fine. Honestly, I'm sure no one will care if you say it differently. Having said that it drives me a tiny bit crazy when I hear "she's a Jehovah Witness"

Well, some people think correcting the grammar of others is poor etiquette.

Quote from GrnTeaSo. You would say, "Ask patients if they have any preferences or beliefs about receiving blood or blood products" (because even among the JW population there are variations), or "Ask the patient about preferences or beliefs regarding receiving blood or blood products."

I also want to point out that the sentence, "Ask the patient about preferences or beliefs regarding receiving blood or blood products.", really is crying out for better punctuation. It would read better "Ask the patient about preferences, or beliefs, regarding the reception of blood products"Just trying to be helpful!

I recommend you contact your Educator to get in touch with a local/regional Hospital Liaison Committee member. They sent out a very nice guy who made a presentation to our staff and then left CD's and brochures regarding this topic. Basically, the Witnesses are opposed to whole blood transfusion, which we don't do anyway. But it is good to know whom to contact in case a patient or family need support.