Cultural Assessment
Purnell Model: Cultural Assessment

Ashley Bell
Western New Mexico University
August 29, 2010
Cultural Assessment
Purnell Model
Overview and Heritage S. R. is a 31-year old soft spoken Filipino female. Her primary language is English. Her family dialect of Tagalog is understood, but not spoken fluently. Tagalog is the national language in the Philippine society, and English is the second official language. (McBride, 2001) Presently she resides in Pearland Texas with her husband and 20 month old daughter. Born and raised in Webster Texas she is of Filipino ancestry, and considers herself “Asian American” (personal communication, August 20, 2010). Her father and mother were born in the Philippines. They came to the United States two years prior to her birth seeking educa-tion and career opportunities (personal communication, August 20, 2010). S. R. is of middle class income, allowing her to afford the essentials of life without difficulties; providing her family with full health benefits through her employer. She is a Registered Nurse, with a bachelors in nursing and early education. S. R. worked as a first grade teacher for two years prior to going obtaining her BSN. Current working conditions expose her to anesthetic agents, communicable diseases, radiation and germicidal chemicals (personal communication, August 20, 2010).
Biocultural Ecology S. R. identifies herself with the Filipino race. She has light brown skin, a round face, large round eyes, straight black hair and short in stature (4’10”). Known drug allergies are to Sulfa, Theophylline and Keflex. S. R. states “prescription medications are taken only when absolutely necessary”; “over-the-counter medications are taken as a last resort” (personal communication, August 20, 2010). At this time over-the-counter medications have not caused any known adverse