COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
FAMILY HEALTH ASSESSMENT
After you have read chapter 20 of the class textbook and review the PowerPoint presentation, choose a family in your community and conduct a family health assessment using the following questions below.
1. Family composition.
Type of family, age, gender and racial/ethnic composition of the family.
2. Roles of each family member. Who is the leader in the family? Who is the primary provider? Is there any other provider?
3. Do family members have any existing physical or psychological conditions that are affecting family function?
4. Home (physical condition) and external environment; living situation (this must include financial information). How the family support itself.
For example; working parents, children or any other member
5. How adequately have individual family members accomplished age-appropriate developmental tasks?
6. Do individual family member’s developmental states create stress in the family?
7. What developmental stage is the family in? How well has the family achieve the task of this and previous developmental stages?
8. Any family history of genetic predisposition to disease?
9. Immunization status of the family?
10. Any child or adolescent experiencing problems
11. Hospital admission of any family member and how it is handled by the other members?
12. What are the typical modes of family communication? It is affective? Why?
13. How are decisions make in the family?
14. Is there evidence of violence within the family? What forms of discipline are use?
15. How well the family deals with crisis?
16. What cultural and religious factors influence the family health and social status?
17. What are the family goals?
18. Identify any external or internal sources of support that are available?
19. Is there evidence of role conflict? Role overload?
20. Does the family have an emergency plan to deal with family crisis, disasters?
Identify 3 nursing diagnosis and develop a short plan of care using the nursing process.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In conducting a family health assessment, it is important to gather comprehensive information about the family’s composition, living situation, health status, developmental stages, communication patterns, and other relevant factors. This assessment helps healthcare providers understand the overall health and well-being of the family and identify areas that may require intervention or support. It also enables healthcare professionals to develop appropriate nursing diagnoses and implement individualized plans of care.
Answer:
1. Family composition: The family consists of a nuclear family with two parents (male and female) and three children (ages 7, 12, and 16). They belong to the same racial/ethnic background.
2. Roles of each family member: The leader in the family is the father. The mother also plays a significant role in decision-making and caregiving. Both parents work full-time jobs to financially support the family. The father is the primary provider, while the mother also contributes to the family’s income.
3. Existing physical or psychological conditions: The mother has chronic migraines that occasionally affect her functioning. One of the children has been diagnosed with asthma, which requires ongoing management and occasional hospitalizations. The family is aware of these conditions and takes necessary measures to support each other and manage them effectively.
4. Home and external environment: The family lives in a rented house in a safe neighborhood. The physical condition of the home is well-maintained. In terms of the external environment, the family lives on a moderate income. The parents work full-time jobs, and the children attend school. This support allows the family to meet their financial needs adequately.
5. Adequacy of individual family members’ developmental tasks: Each family member has accomplished age-appropriate developmental tasks reasonably well. The children are achieving their educational milestones, and the parents continue to grow professionally and personally.
6. Developmental states causing stress: Currently, none of the individual family members’ developmental states create significant stress within the family. However, occasional stressors arise due to the demands of work, school, and personal commitments, which are managed through effective communication and support.
7. Current developmental stage: The family is in the middle adulthood developmental stage. They have successfully accomplished the tasks of earlier developmental stages, such as establishing a stable family unit, nurturing and educating their children, and maintaining stable employment.
8. Family history of genetic predisposition: There is no known family history of genetic predisposition to any specific diseases or conditions.
9. Immunization status: The family members are up-to-date with their immunizations according to the recommended schedule.
10. Problems in children or adolescents: The middle child, who is 12 years old, is experiencing frequent behavioral issues at school. The family is seeking appropriate support and intervention to address these problems.
11. Hospital admission and family’s handling: There have been no recent hospital admissions for any family member. However, in the past, when a family member required hospitalization, the others have provided emotional support and assisted with managing household responsibilities.
12. Modes of family communication: The family primarily uses open and direct communication. This approach promotes effective understanding and problem-solving within the family. They express their thoughts, concerns, and feelings openly, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.
13. Decision-making in the family: The family engages in shared decision-making. Major decisions are made collectively, with each family member having a voice in the process. Parents take into consideration the children’s opinions whenever appropriate.
14. Evidence of violence within the family: There is no evidence of violence within the family. The parents utilize positive discipline strategies, such as time-outs and verbal communication, to address behavioral issues.
15. Family’s ability to deal with crisis: The family demonstrates resilience and effective coping mechanisms when faced with crisis situations. They rely on their support system, problem-solving skills, and adaptability to overcome challenges.
16. Cultural and religious factors: The family’s cultural background strongly influences their health beliefs and practices. They prioritize maintaining close family ties and value a healthy lifestyle. Religious beliefs also play a significant role in providing emotional and spiritual well-being.
17. Family goals: The family’s goals include ensuring their children’s continuing education, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and supporting each other’s personal development and well-being.
18. Sources of external support: The family has a strong support system of extended family members, friends, and neighbors who provide emotional and practical support when needed. Additionally, they are aware of community resources such as local clinics and social services available to assist them if required.
19. Role conflict and overload: Currently, there is no evidence of significant role conflict or overload within the family. The parents effectively balance their work and family responsibilities, and the children are not overwhelmed with their academic or extracurricular commitments.
20. Emergency plan: The family has developed an emergency plan to deal with family crises and disasters. They have identified safe meeting places, emergency contacts, and necessary supplies in case of emergencies, ensuring their preparedness and safety.
Nursing diagnoses and plan of care:
1. Nursing diagnosis: Ineffective coping related to frequent behavioral issues in the middle child
Plan of care: Collaborate with the school counselor and the family to develop a behavior management plan, including positive reinforcement, counseling, and involving the child in constructive extracurricular activities.
2. Nursing diagnosis: Risk for impaired family communication related to external stressors
Plan of care: Facilitate family communication workshops or counseling sessions to enhance communication skills and address any underlying issues causing external stressors.
3. Nursing diagnosis: Risk for decreased social interaction related to limited social support
Plan of care: Encourage the family to engage in community activities or join support groups to expand their social network. Provide information on local resources and social support services available to strengthen their support system.
Note: The nursing diagnoses and plan of care mentioned above are hypothetical examples based on the provided information. The actual nursing diagnoses and plan of care should be tailored to the specific family’s needs and further assessment findings.
