Case Study: Family Assessment Review The Nursing Process in Practice: Formulating a Family Care Plan, chapter 13, page 364. Utilize the Box 13-7 Family Assessment Guide, pages 364-369. Make sure to use all of the VI steps of the assessment. Use APA style. The two documents that you need are attached
Introduction
The family unit is an essential aspect of patient care, particularly in healthcare settings that focus on family-centered care. To provide comprehensive and effective care, nurses must conduct a thorough family assessment. This case study aims to review the nursing process in practice by formulating a family care plan based on the Family Assessment Guide outlined in Box 13-7 in the “The Nursing Process in Practice” textbook by Mary Alice Dorr, et al.
Assessment Steps
The assessment process outlined in the Family Assessment Guide consists of six steps, referred to as the “VI steps.” These steps include: (1) Collecting data, (2) Verifying data, (3) Analyzing data, (4) Documenting data, (5) Making an assessment, and (6) Developing a plan. This case study will follow these steps to assess a hypothetical family.
Step 1: Collecting Data
In this step, the nurse gathers relevant information about the family. This includes demographic data, such as age, gender, and occupation of family members, as well as familial relationships and living arrangements. Additionally, the nurse collects information regarding the family’s social and economic resources, cultural practices, and beliefs.
In the provided case study, the family consists of a husband (John, 42 years old), a wife (Mary, 38 years old), and two children (Jim, 10 years old, and Lisa, 6 years old). John works as a software engineer, while Mary is a stay-at-home mom. The family resides in a two-bedroom apartment. The family identifies as Caucasian and follows Christian beliefs.
Step 2: Verifying Data
In the second step, the nurse verifies the accuracy and completeness of the collected data. This is done by cross-referencing the information with multiple sources, such as medical records, school records, and conversations with family members. Verifying data ensures the reliability of the assessment.
Although the case study does not provide additional sources of data, the nurse can hypothetically verify the collected information by speaking with family members, accessing medical records, and obtaining pertinent school records for the children.
Step 3: Analyzing Data
Once the data is collected and verified, the nurse analyzes the information to identify patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and potential health risks or issues. This step involves an in-depth evaluation of the family’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
Analyzing the provided case study, several considerations arise. Firstly, the family resides in a small apartment, which may impact their physical and emotional well-being due to limited personal space. Additionally, John’s occupation as a software engineer likely involves long hours and potential stress, affecting his mental health and overall family dynamics. Lastly, the family’s Christian beliefs may influence their perspectives on healthcare and utilization of medical services.
Step 4: Documenting Data
Documenting data is crucial to maintain a comprehensive record of the family assessment. This step involves recording all pertinent information accurately and clearly. The documentation should include objective data (observable and measurable) as well as subjective data (reported by the family members).
In this case study, the nurse would document the collected and verified data, including demographic information, familial relationships, living arrangements, social and economic resources, cultural practices, and beliefs. Objective data could include the family’s physical appearance, while subjective data may include the family’s perception of their emotional well-being.
Step 5: Making an Assessment
In this step, the nurse synthesizes the collected data, analyzed findings, and documented information to formulate an overall assessment of the family’s health status. The assessment should consider the family as a whole, with attention to individual family members’ needs and strengths.
Based on the information gathered in the case study, the nurse could assess the family’s health status as potentially impacted by the physical constraints of their living arrangements, the potential stress experienced by John in his occupation, and the influence of their Christian beliefs on healthcare decision-making.
Step 6: Developing a Plan
The final step in the family assessment process involves developing a comprehensive care plan. This plan should address the identified needs, weaknesses, and potential health risks identified in the assessment. It should also incorporate the family’s strengths and resources to foster their overall well-being.
In the provided case study, a care plan for this family might include interventions such as: exploring options for larger housing accommodations to address the physical constraints of their current living arrangements, recommending stress management techniques for John, given the potential impact of his occupation, and incorporating the family’s Christian beliefs into their healthcare decision-making process.
Conclusion
The Family Assessment Guide, along with the VI steps of assessment, provides a structured approach to conducting a comprehensive family assessment. By collecting data, verifying its accuracy, analyzing the information, documenting the findings, making an assessment, and developing a plan, nurses can identify the health status of a family and tailor care interventions accordingly. Through this process, nurses can promote family-centered care and improve patient outcomes.