Question

A family consisting of a grandparent, two adults, and three school-age children just immigrated to the United States. They come to a community wellness center to establish health care. Which of the following questions does the nurse ask to assess the family's function? (Select all that apply.) A. "What does your family do to keep members healthy?" B. "How does your family usually make decisions?" C. "What health services are available in your neighborhood?" D. "Which rituals or celebrations are important for your family?" E. "Is there a lot of crime in your neighborhood?" F. "How many parks are there in your community?"

Short answer

Questions A, B, and D should be asked to assess the family's function since they relate to health maintenance, decision-making, and cultural health influences within the family.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Concept of Family Function

Review the concept of family function. It is a way of assessing how families operate, solve problems, make decisions, and maintain good mental and physical health among members.

Identifying Relevant Questions

Select questions that directly relate to assessing family dynamics regarding health maintenance, decision-making, support systems, and values or traditions that might affect health.

Eliminating Irrelevant Questions

Discard questions that are not directly related to family function or those that pertain to broader community assessment rather than the specific family's function.

Selecting the Appropriate Responses

From the provided options, choose the ones that effectively assess the family's function: A, B, and D. These questions pertain to health maintenance, decision-making, and cultural practices which can influence health behavior.

Key concepts

Health Maintenance Assessment

When examining the health of a family, nurses conduct what is known as a health maintenance assessment. This is a holistic approach to understand how a family promotes healthiness and prevents diseases among its members. A health maintenance assessment involves identifying the strategies used by the family to sustain physical, mental, and social well-being.

For instance, questioning how a family keeps its members healthy is crucial in identifying everyday routines or interventions they utilize for staying well. This might include dietary habits, exercise routines, and adherence to medical advice or prescriptions. It's also valuable to explore the family's understanding of health and wellness, vaccinations, screening procedures, and how they manage chronic conditions. All this information uncovers the family's proactive measures towards health and can guide healthcare professionals in providing tailored support and education.

Family Dynamics in Healthcare

The interactions and relationships within a family significantly impact health behavior and decisions. Understanding family dynamics can help nurses predict how a family might react to health-related challenges and which interventions will be most effective.

Questions about who within the family typically makes decisions or how they cope with illness can reveal decision-making patterns, hierarchy, and support mechanisms within the household. Knowing if there's a dominant decision-maker or a collaborative approach can affect how healthcare information is shared and decisions are made about treatment plans. Additionally, understanding the emotional dynamics among family members, such as conflict resolution and communication styles, is critical for healthcare professionals to align care strategies with family needs and to foster a supportive environment that encourages positive health behaviors.

Cultural Practices in Health Behavior

Cultural beliefs and practices play a pivotal role in shaping individuals' health behaviors. As families bring their cultural heritage into the healthcare setting, understanding these practices is essential for providing culturally competent care.

Cultural rituals, celebrations, and traditional healing practices can have profound effects on health behavior. Inquiring about such aspects can provide insights into a family's values and health beliefs, aiding healthcare professionals in designing care that respects and integrates these considerations. For instance, certain cultural groups may prefer herbal remedies or have specific dietary practices that should be taken into account when discussing nutritional advice or prescribing medications. By acknowledging and integrating these practices, healthcare providers can build trust, improve patient engagement, and enhance the effectiveness of care planning.