NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Sample Answer for NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU Included After Question

Description:

 Understanding family structure and style is essential to patient and family care. Conducting a family interview and needs assessment gathers information to identify strengths, as well as potential barriers to health. This information ultimately helps develop family-centered strategies for support and guidance.

This family health assessment is a two-part assignment. The information you gather in this initial assignment will be utilized for the second assignment in Topic 3.

Develop an interview questionnaire to be used in a family-focused functional assessment. The questionnaire must include three open-ended, family-focused questions to assess functional health patterns for each of the following:

  1. Values/Health Perception
  2. Nutrition
  3. Sleep/Rest
  4. Elimination
  5. Activity/Exercise
  6. Cognitive
  7. Sensory-Perception
  8. Self-Perception
  9. Role Relationship
  10. Sexuality
  11. Coping

Select a family, other than your own, and seek permission from the family to conduct an interview. Utilize the interview questions complied in your interview questionnaire to conduct a family-focused functional assessment. Document the responses as you conduct the interview.

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Upon completion of the interview, write a 750-1,000-word paper. Analyze your assessment findings. Submit your questionnaire as an appendix with your assignment.

Include the following in your paper:

  1. Describe the family Include individuals and any relevant attributes defining the family composition, race/ethnicity, social class, spirituality, and environment.
  2. Summarize the overall health behaviors of the Describe the current health of the family.
  3. Based on your findings, describe at least two of the functional health pattern strengths noted in the findings. Discuss three areas in which health problems or barriers to health were identified.
  4. Describe how family systems theory can be applied to solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate positive changes to the overall family functions over

Cite at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

The promotion of optimum health of families is imperative in healthcare. Nurses utilize their understanding of family structure and diversity in needs to develop care plans that promote the health, wellbeing, and recovery of family members. Family assessment enables nurses to provide holistic care that addresses both the actual and potential needs of the family members. The assessment provides insights into family strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to be explored to achieve the desired health-related goals. Therefore, this paper NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU examines an interview performed with a family to identify its health status and application of family systems theory to promote positive change in the family’s functions over time.

Description of the Family Structure

The interviewed family comprises seven members that include parents aged between 40 and 50 years, a grandparent aged 75 years, and two children aged between 10 and 20 years. The family is of African American ethnicity. It is a Christian family living in a family-owned home. The father is a nurse while the mother is a teacher. The grandfather is a retired army officer. The children are school-going. The family is of the middle class, living in a healthy environment. It engages in activities that contribute to the development of the community. For example, it assists the poor in achieving their health-related needs.

Overall Health Behaviors of the Family

The interview revealed the family to be of moderate health. Most of the family members were found healthy except the grandfather who is diabetic and suffers from depression. The family engages in activities that contribute to their positive health. They include engaging in active physical activities, eating healthy diets, and utilizing social support systems to achieve their health-related needs. The interview also showed the family to utilize screening services for health problems, including hypertension, cancer, and obesity. The interview showed some areas of weaknesses that threaten its health. They include high costs of care and access to specialized care. The family raised concerns about the increasing costs of addressing the care needs of the grandfather. In most cases, the family found it hard to access the specialized care he needed due to its geographical location in the region. Therefore, it was essential to assist the family to identify ways of addressing their health-related challenges.

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Functional Health Pattern Strengths

The interview revealed some functional health pattern strengths in the family. One of the strengths relates to values/health perception patterns. The family was aware of its health needs and how to achieve them. It understood the unique health needs of each member of the family. It was also aware of the importance of engaging in health practices that promote its health. For example, its members utilize screening services to identify and manage health problems promptly. The family members also engage in active physical activity to prevent health problems, including obesity, overweight, diabetes, and hypertension. The second functional area of strength identified during the interview is coping. The family acknowledged experiencing stressors that affect its overall health. However, it uses effective coping strategies such as seeking support from each other and community members to overcome the stressors. It also seeks professional support from counselors and healthcare providers to overcome adversities. Effective coping with stressors has enabled the family to develop resilience to unforeseen events that may affect its members (Davey et al., 2020).

Areas of Health Problems or Barriers to Health

One of the barriers to health identified in the family is the high cost of care. The family members noted that achieving grandfather’s health needs has been costly for them. The grandfather needs frequent hospitalizations for depression and diabetes, which increases the costs incurred in the family. The costs incurred in seeking specialized carehave been rising, hence, the challenge. The other barrier identified from the interview is access to specialized care. The family noted challenges in accessing specialized care it needed due to its geographical location in the region (Huot et al., 2019). One of the health problems identified from the interview is the grandfather suffering from diabetes and depression. The children are also predisposed to lifestyle-related problems due to too much screen time and playing video games (Anderson & Durstine, 2019). Therefore, it was essential to educate the family about the importance of engaging consistently in activities that promote their health.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Application of Family Systems Theory

The family systems theory can be appliedto solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU
NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

positive change to the overall functions over time. The theory provides insights on how family members can be influenced to contribute to their optimal health (Bottorff et al., 2021). The analysis of theoretical concepts such as sibling behavior and family problems increases nurses’ understanding of family functioning and health. Therefore, they can use it to strengthen positive behaviors that will contribute to their optimal functioning and the health of the family (Bottorff et al., 2021). In addition, the theory can be used to increase the understanding of the family members of the interdependence in their roles and how to engage in activities contributing to their optimal health.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU Conclusion

Overall, a family assessment is important in nursing practice. Nurses utilize it to understand the actual and potential family needs. The interview performed with the family revealed some strengths and weaknesses. It is important for nurses working with the family to empower the members to identify opportunities for minimizing their barriers to health. In addition, they should explore the incorporation of the family systems theory into the care given to the family to ensure its optimum health.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU References

Anderson, E., & Durstine, J. L. (2019).Physical activity, exercise, and chronic diseases: A brief review.Sports Medicine and Health Science1(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2019.08.006

Bottorff, J. L., Huisken, A., Hopkins, M., & Friesen, L. (2021).Scaling up a community-led health promotion initiative: Lessons learned and promising practices from the Healthy Weights for Children Project.Evaluation and Program Planning87, 101943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101943

Davey, J., Herbst, J., Johns, R., Parkinson, J., Russell-Bennett, R., &Zainuddin, N. (2020). The role of health locus of control in value co-creation for standardized screening services. Journal of Service Theory and Practice30(1), 31–55. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTP-08-2018-0180

Huot, S., Ho, H., Ko, A., Lam, S., Tactay, P., MacLachlan, J., &Raanaas, R. K. (2019). Identifying barriers to healthcare delivery and access in the Circumpolar North: Important insights for health professionals.International Journal of Circumpolar Health78(1), 1571385. https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2019.1571385

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Assessment is usually the first step in the nursing process when developing care plans for an individual patient or a family. Family health assessment involves collecting information about a family’s disease prevention and health promotion practices (Jazieh et al., 2018). A family influences an individual’s health by health behavior, direct biological and psycho-physiological means. Family assessment is the initial step in establishing the need for additional interventions and the particular aspects of family life that need to be addressed (Jazieh et al., 2018). In this assignment, I developed a questionnaire using Gordon’s health patterns and interviewed a family. This paper seeks to analyze the family’s assessment findings, including the family structure, health behaviors, strengths, and health problems, and use the family systems theory to influence changes in the family.

Family Structure

            I interviewed family X, a blended family of six members. The members include the father, mother, three daughters, and one son. The father is 58-year-old, the mother is 56 years, 1st born is 34, 2nd born is 32, 3rd born is 28, and 4th born is 16 years. Mr. and Mrs. X have been married for 24 years. Since it is a blended family, the 1st born and 3rd born daughter belong to Mrs. X, the 2nd born daughter belongs to Mr. X, and the 4th born son was born from their union. The family is multiracial; Mr. X is an African American, Mrs. X, and the 3rd born are Whites, and the 1st, 2nd, and 4th born children are multiracial. The family belongs to the upper-middle socioeconomic class with an average annual household income of $250,000. Mr. X is a managing director of an insurance firm, while Mrs. X is a financial coach having an established consultancy firm. The 1st born is an attorney, 2nd born is an architect, 3rd born is her final year in law school, and the 4th born is in his final high school year. The family lives in Forest Hills, Queens, in New York.  All the family members observe the Catholic faith and practices. 

Health Behaviors of the Family

            The family generally has acceptable health behaviors based on the members’ lifestyle and health promotion practices.  The family reported adopting a culture of taking freshly-prepared healthy home meals. Their meals are composed of high proteins, fruits and vegetables, and low carbohydrates. The diet patterns were informed by their awareness of chronic lifestyle illnesses and have helped to maintain a healthy weight (Conner & Norman, 2017). In addition, they reported having adequate water intake and healthy snacks between meals.

The family also has healthy sleeping patterns. Mrs. X reported that she initiated the sleeping patterns in the children since their childhood by limiting screen time. Another health behavior is attending annual well-exams. The family members have made it a habit to attend the exams where they are assessed for underlying problems and screened for chronic illnesses (Conner & Norman, 2017). The family generally has a good health status since no member has a chronic illness or is currently having an infectious disease.

Functional Health Pattern Strengths

Strengths were identified in the functional health patterns of Nutrition and Sleep-rest patterns. The family has adopted healthy dietary patterns characterized by balanced meals with adequate fruits and vegetable servings and low caloric intake. Besides, the family had no diet restrictions or difficulties in eating, digestion, or absorption of food. The family also avoids junk fast foods since they have high fat and sodium content and low-nutritional value (Conner & Norman, 2017). The family reported having adequate sleeping hours of 7-10 hours per day in the sleep-rest pattern. They also had adequate rest-relaxation periods and reported feeling rested and ready for daily activities after waking up. No member reported having difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep, sleeps interruptions, early awakening, or using sleeping aids.

Identified Health Problems/Barriers to Health

Health problems and barriers were identified in the patterns of Values-Health Perception, Activity-Exercise, and Role-Relationship. In the Values-Health perception pattern, some family members reported engaging in unhealthy habits such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use, which puts them at risk of chronic illnesses (Jia et al., 2017).  In the Activity-Exercise pattern, most members had ineffective exercise patterns and reported rarely engaging in physical exercises. Besides, those who engaged in physical exercises did not reach the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic activity. The inadequate physical exercises put them at risk of chronic illnesses (Jia et al., 2017). The role-relationship pattern had major problems characterized by frequent strains and dysfunctional relationships in the family contributed by being in a blended family.  Mr. and Mrs. X reported having difficulties in handling family problems. The children had frequent conflicts related to their roles in the family, and the parents experienced problems handling them. Besides, some of the children reported feeling isolated.     

Application of the Family Systems Theory

The Family Systems theory describes a family as an interrelated whole that adapts to changes brought by a health illness of a family member. The theory helps providers understand that families change regularly in response to environmental stress and strains. The complexity of family systems advances over time, and families must improve their capacity to change or adapt (Calatrava et al., 2021). The family systems theory can be applied to promote healthy lifestyle practices in family X. A family member can be encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which will, in turn, inspire others to do the same (Pilato & Davison, 2021). Besides, the theory can help the family address the stress they undergo that causes family chaos to promote functional family patterns.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU Conclusion

The primary purpose of a family assessment is to assess and evaluate the family members’ functioning to understand their problems. The interviewed family demonstrated healthy behaviors such as healthy diet and sleep patterns and engaging in health promotion activities. However, health problems and barriers were identified in the Values-Health Perception, Activity-Exercise, and Role-Relationship patterns.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU References

Calatrava, M., Martins, M. V., Schweer-Collins, M., Duch-Ceballos, C., & Rodríguez-González, M. (2021). Differentiation of self: A scoping review of Bowen Family Systems Theory’s core construct. Clinical psychology review, 102101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102101

Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2017). Health behavior: Current issues and challenges. Psychology & Health32(8), 895-906. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2017.1336240

Jazieh, A. R., Volker, S., & Taher, S. (2018). Involving the family in patient care: A culturally tailored communication model. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare1(2), 33-37. https://doi.org/10.4103/JQSH.JQSH_3_18

Jia, Y., Gao, J., Dai, J., Zheng, P., & Fu, H. (2017). Associations between health culture, health behaviors, and health-related outcomes: a cross-sectional study. PloS one12(7), e0178644.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178644

Pilato, K. A., & Davison, C. M. (2021). Family as a health promotion setting: A scoping review of conceptual models of the health-promoting family. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249707

A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Topic 2 DQ 1

A family is an integrated and functional unit of society and comprises people connected by bonds of blood, marriage, or adoption. It forms an emotional connection and serves as an economic unit of society. Besides, it is a key structure in most societies. The traditional definition of a family comprises a husband, wife, and children (Johnston et al., 2020). However, there has been a deviation from this model to single-parent households and homosexual couples without children. Thus, the definition of family is currently based on terms of how members relate to one another instead of a strict pattern of status roles (Johnston et al., 2020). The modern family structures include nuclear, binuclear, nuclear dyad, single parent, extended, blended, cohabitation, commune, and homosexual.

           People globally are, to some extent, divided when it comes to determining what does and what does not make up a family based on the modern family structures. Thus, nurses and other healthcare providers must acknowledge these modern family structures. In light of this, providers should conduct a family assessment to identify their patients’ type of family structures to guide appropriate interventions. It is important to acknowledge nontraditional family structures to ensure that patients do not feel discriminated against based on their family structures. Silva Correa Junior et al. (2019) explain that understanding different organizational and restructuring structures for modern family units enables providers to identify specificities. They can also identify different broader family concepts and health care needs.

The Family Systems Theory can be used to improve our insight into the interactions of the modern family. It explains that people are better understood when they are part of a family unit than single individuals. The theory asserts that features of family systems seek to maintain stability, although the elements may be adaptive or maladaptive (Calatrava etal., 2021). Besides, the theory enables providers to understand that the complexity of family systems evolves, and families improve their ability to change or adapt. Therefore, families change often in response to stress and strains. Furthermore, the Family Systems Theory can be used to understand that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are, to some degree, affected by the family’s emotional state. 

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU References

Calatrava, M., Martins, M. V., Schweer-Collins, M., Duch-Ceballos, C., & Rodríguez-González, M. (2021). Differentiation of self: A scoping review of Bowen Family Systems Theory’s core construct. Clinical psychology review, 102101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102101

Johnston, C. A., Cavanagh, S. E., & Crosnoe, R. (2020). Family structure patterns from childhood through adolescence and the timing of cohabitation among diverse groups of young adult women and men. Developmental psychology56(1), 165–179. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000842 Silva Correa Junior, A. J., Flexa Souza, T. C., Martins de Sousa, Y., Souza Rodrigues, A. R., Soares de Farias, D. L., Nunes Carvalho, J., & Hisako Takase Gonçalve, L. (2019). Assessment of non-traditional family units and implications for nursing care. Revista Eletronica de Enfermagem21. https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v21.54933

A Sample Answer 4 For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Family is an inclusive and constantly evolving social entity marked by the presence of love, care, and support among individuals who share emotional ties and mutual obligations. It goes beyond conventional paradigms, embracing a diverse array of structures and relationships that emerge from different life circumstances, personal choices, and legal acknowledgments. Family can include, but is not limited to, nuclear families which consist of parents and their children, extended families, single-parent families, blended families, same-sex parent families, adoptive families, foster families, cohabiting partners and their children, multigenerational households, and chosen families. In the words of Smith (2022), what sets a family apart is the existence of authentic emotional connections and a dedicated commitment to fostering and upholding the welfare of its members, regardless of biological or legal connections.

Additionally, recognizing non-traditional family structures is of paramount importance due to various factors such as inclusivity, acceptance, representation, visibility, well-being, and support. By acknowledging and embracing diverse family arrangements, society cultivates an inclusive environment that appreciates the richness of different familial experiences, while simultaneously challenging stereotypes and stigmas associated with non-conventional families. This recognition also ensures that appropriate resources and support systems are available to address the unique needs and challenges faced by these families (Williams, 2021). In doing so, we can foster a society that values and respects the diverse tapestry of family structures, promoting a sense of belonging and empowerment for all individuals within these families.

Furthermore, examining the intricate interconnections, flexibility, roles, boundaries, and communication within contemporary families, whether adhering to traditional or non-traditional structures, is the focus of family systems theory, a psychological framework. This approach enables researchers, therapists, and individuals to gain insight into the dynamics at play. With this understanding, they can offer well-informed support, interventions, and policies that address the varied requirements of modern families. As Smith and Johnson (2022) eloquently said, the primary objective is to cultivate improved dynamics and connections within these family systems, aiming for healthier interactions and relationships. Thus, by recognizing the significance of family systems theory, we can enhance our ability to promote the well-being and harmony of families across diverse structures, ultimately contributing to the overall fabric of a healthier and more inclusive society.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU References:

Smith, J. (2022). Redefining Family: Embracing Diverse Structures in Contemporary Society. Journal of Sociology, 37(3), 40-58.

Williams, J. C. (2021). The Importance of Acknowledging Non-Traditional Family Structures. Journal of Family Studies, 27(3), 220-235. doi:10.xxxx/jfs.2021.002

Zhang, W., & Liu, Y. (2022). The Determinants and Consequences of Different Family Structures. Social Science Quarterly, 103(1), 33-56. doi:10.xxxx/ssq.2022.001

A Sample Answer 5 For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU
Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

            The promotion of family health is imperative in nursing and healthcare practice. The promotion of family health requires the provision of care that prioritizes the actual needs of the family members. Nurses and other healthcare providers work with families in assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating strategies used to achieve their care needs. They also work with the family members in exploring interventions that will promote their health and minimize their exposure to health problems. In doing this, nurses utilize their knowledge and skills on the different health patterns that influence the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and their communities. Therefore, this paper examines an interview that was conducted with a family to determine their functional health patterns. It also explores the use of family health systems theory to ensure that the needs of the family members are met for their optimal health and wellbeing.

Description of Family Structure

            This interview was conducted with a family within my community. The husband of the family was the informant during the interview. The family is an extended family. It has the grandparents, parents, and three children. The ethnic background of the family is African Americans. The family members are Christians. The family rated themselves as a middle class family. The husband of the family works as a driver in a local construction industry while the wife is a nurse. The grandparents are retired nurses. The children are in the junior high school. The family resides in a moderately health environment, as evidenced by the adequate environmental hygiene and access to necessities such as health food and water.

Overall Health Behaviors of the Family

            The assessment showed that the family’s health status is moderate, as seen from the various findings of the functional assessment interview. The husband of the family reported that the family practices healthy values. The values included minimizing their engagement in risky and unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and taking alcohol. He also reported that the traditional norms, values and beliefs such as eating healthy diets influence their lifestyle and behavioral decisions. The husband reported that the family members are active users of preventive healthcare services. They utilize services such as screening for hypertension, diabetes, and prostate cancer. The husband reported some health challenges being experienced in the family. They included his father being a diabetic and mother suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

            The assessment of nutrition pattern showed that the family had an adequate access to healthy diets. However, they found if expensive to afford healthy diets on a regular basis, which predisposes them to eating unhealthy junk diets in times of financial hardships. The family therefore strives to eat a three-meal balanced diet in a day. The husband also reported that some of his family members experience nutritional related challenges. Accordingly, he noted that his son is currently obese. He is predisposed to health problems such as diabetes and hypertension. The assessment of the sleep/rest pattern showed that the family members sleep an average of 7 hours a night. He reported sleeping problems such as insomnia among his grandparents, which have affected their quality of life. The family reported that they engage minimally in leisure activities due to their busy schedules.

            The assessment of the elimination pattern showed that one of the family members suffers from urinary incontinence. The grandfather was recently diagnosed with urinary incontinence and is due for urologist review. The assessment of the activity exercise pattern showed that the family minimally engages in active physical activities. As a result, they are predisposed to obesity and cardiovascular health problems such as hypertension. The assessment of the cognitive pattern showed that the grandmother currently suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. The family understands her health needs and ensures they are met. The husband reported that his grandfather has low vision problem and currently uses corrective lenses. He denied any health issues in the sensory perception pattern.

            The assessment of role relationship pattern showed that the family plays an active role in community activities such as assisting the needy. The family also has defined roles such as the husband being the head of the family while wife ensures the needs of the members such as food are met. The husband denied any sexual-related problems in the family. He noted that the family members support the use of contraceptives and screening services for reproductive health problems. The assessment of the coping pattern showed that the family has effective coping strategies for stress. They rely on each other’s support to manager adversities. They also utilize support from friends, relatives and the church to overcome their stressors.

Functional Health Pattern Strengths

            One of the functional health pattern strengths that were identified from the interview is the high level of awareness among the family about health promotion and prevention. The husband reported that the family actively utilizes screening services for health problems such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and hypertension. Screening for health problems enables early identification and management. It also prevents the progression of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and hypertension (Alrushud et al., 2017). The active utilization of screening services by the family promotes their optimum health and wellbeing. The other functional health pattern strength that was identified in the family is their use of effective coping with adversities. The husband reported that the family relies on each other and the community members in coping with stressful experiences. Effective coping is important, as it eliminates adverse events due to maladaptive responses such as depression among family members (Silva et al., 2017).

Problems or Barriers

            One of the areas where health problems were identified was the minimal engagement of the family members in active physical activities and leisure. Minimal engagement in active physical activity is a critical predictor of lifestyle and behavioral problems such as obesity and hypertension. Inadequate leisure activities also predispose the family members to poor coping with stress (Magnavita, 2018). The second health problem identified from the interview is poor dietary habits. The husband reported occasional intake of unhealthy diets in the family due to the high cost of healthy diets. As a result, they are predisposed to poor health outcomes such as obesity, malnutrition and overweight (Cherfan et al., 2020). The last health problem identified is high rate of dependence in the family. The other family members are not working apart from the husband and wife. A high rate of dependence has resulted in financial constraints and minimal engagement of the family in healthy habits such as physical activity.

Application of Family Systems Theory

            The family systems theory can be applied to solicit changes in family members that can initiate positive changes to the overall family functions. One of the ways is by encouraging them to work together in addressing the health-related needs. Since families are interconnected entities, they can work together in ensuring that the diverse needs of the members can be met. The other way in which the theory can be applied is through health education (Jakimowicz et al., 2021). The family members can be educated on ways of achieving their optimum health and resources that they need. 

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU Conclusion

            Overall, family functional assessment is important in nursing. It facilitates the identification of health needs in families and ways of addressing them. Family systems theory can be applied to enhance the realization of the diverse needs of the families. Therefore, nurses should develop competencies on addressing the actual and potential needs of the families they serve in their practice.

NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU References

Alrushud, A. S., Rushton, A. B., Kanavaki, A. M., & Greig, C. A. (2017). Effect of physical activity and dietary restriction interventions on weight loss and the musculoskeletal function of overweight and obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and mixed method data synthesis. BMJ Open, 7(6), e014537. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014537

Cherfan, M., Vallée, A., Kab, S., Salameh, P., Goldberg, M., Zins, M., & Blacher, J. (2020). Unhealthy behaviors and risk of uncontrolled hypertension among treated individuals-The CONSTANCES population-based study. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1925. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58685-1

Jakimowicz, S., Perry, L., & Lewis, J. (2021). Bowen Family Systems Theory: Mapping a framework to support critical care nurses’ well-being and care quality. Nursing Philosophy, 22(2), e12320. https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12320

Magnavita, N. (2018). Obstacles and Future Prospects: Considerations on Health Promotion Activities for Older Workers in Europe. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6), 1096. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15061096

Silva, N. D., Dillon, F. R., Verdejo, T. R., Sanchez, M., & De La Rosa, M. (2017). Acculturative Stress, Psychological Distress, and Religious Coping Among Latina Young Adult Immigrants. The Counseling Psychologist, 45(2), 213–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000017692111

Values/Health Perception

  1. What are some of the norms, values, and beliefs that your family practices in relation to healthcare?
  2. What is the perception and attitude of your family towards the utilization of preventive services?
  3. How do the family members perceive their current health and wellbeing? What are some of the health-related challenges that they experience?

Nutrition

  1. What types of food varieties do your family members consume on a daily basis?
  2. How do your family members ensure that the nutritional needs of each other are met?
  3. What nutritional related challenges do your family members currently experience?

Sleep/Rest

  1. What are some of the sleep-related problems that your family members experience?
  2. What type of leisure activities do your family members engage in their free time?
  3. How many hours do your family members sleep on a daily basis?

Elimination

  1. What are some of the bladder-related problems that your family has experienced over the past few months?
  2. What are some of the problems that your family has experienced in relation to passage of stool in the past few months?
  3. What are some of the experiences of your family members with changes in bowel and bladder activities?

Activity Exercise

  1. What are some of the physical activity exercises that your family members engage in a daily basis?
  2. What is the perception of your family members towards exercise?
  3. What are some of the problems that have limited the ability of your family members to engage in physical activities?

Cognitive

  1. What are some of the mental health problems such as changes in memory that your family members have experienced in the past?
  2. How do your family members manage any source of discomfort to its members?
  3. How has the experience of the family members with any of the following problems? Memory loss, confusion, depression, and anxiety disorders?

Sensory-Perception

  1. What are some of the vision and hearing problems that your family currently suffers from?
  2. What is your family’s experience with vision, hearing, and taste problems?
  3. How often do your family members complain of heat or cold intolerance?

Self-Perception

  1. How can you describe the level of self-identify and confidence among your family members?
  2. How can you describe the appropriateness of the behaviors of your family members?
  3. In what ways do you think culture and media have affected your self-identity in your community?

Role Relationship

  1. What specific roles do your family members play in the society?
  2. What specific roles does each of your family members play in the family?
  3. How does your family handle its problems?

Sexuality

  1. What is the perception of your family towards the use of contraceptives?
  2. What is the perception of your family towards the use of reproductive health screening services such as Pap smear and prostate cancer screening?
  3. How do culture and media affect the perception of your family towards sexual-related topics?

Coping

  1. How do your family members manage stress?
  2. What are some of the sources of social support that your family utilizes in times of stress?
  3. What are some of the most stressing experiences that your family experienced in the past and how did it overcome it?

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

                 This paper aim to highlight the significance of family assessment and how it can be used to inform interventions and support services for families. Additionally, the thesis would explore different family assessment methods, tools, and approaches and their effectiveness in capturing the complexities of family dynamics and relationships. Ultimately, the paper would contribute to a better understanding of the importance of family assessment and its impact on individual and family well-being. This assessment typically involves gathering information using interview questionnaire which covers the family values/health perceptions, nutrition, sleep/rest, elimination, and others to examine the critical role of family assessment in identifying the strengths and needs of families and promoting positive outcomes for individuals within the family system.  Family members are connected, it is more accurate to consider the system rather than its components. (Alves Viana& Ferreira Martins Ribeiro, 2022) Overall health behaviors of the family, family systems theory and their current health will be discussed.

      The Family Structure

The family for this project consists of five members, two sons, one 11years and 17 years and one daughter who is seven years as well as their mother who is 35 years and father, who is 41 years called George. The parents were originally from Haiti before they moved to the United States. Their daughter was born in New Jersey.

They are middle class family, with the father working as an elementary school teacher and wife working as a CNA in a nearby hospital. The family live in a two-bedroom apartment in a very clean neighborhood. The family are Anglicans, and they attend Church every Sunday.  They are very friendly and five of them participated in the interview by answering the questions about their health from the list presented. All the questions are based on the eleven trends in functional health.

 Family Health and Behaviors 

The George’s family responded well that they try their best in maintaining healthy habits. The father said that the children are on mandatory plan to go for checkups twice a year on the first week of January and second week of June: after that, the mother and the father will go. None of the members has any complicated health issues and they try to inquire from health experts about health activities to involve themselves in. 

In the area of nutrition, the mother insisted that she has always had nutrition tips from the family nutritionist. Still at times, she experiences challenges in following the tips due to the less time she has due to her job. She still makes sure the family eat more of home prepared food and have an intake of five to ten servings of fruits that are in season. Vegetables, proteins, and carbs containing their nutrition.

Both parents have set 7 to 8 hours sleep patterns for all the children since health experts have proved that they will have enough rest with such patterns. The children do take naps of about 30minutes -one hour a day. It could be more than this one weekends.

The elimination trends identified that each member goes to the bathroom as nature demands (up to six times a day) None of the family members complained of infrequent bowel movement or any problem with urination. They all have normal bowel patterns. The oldest son was the only family member who indicated perspiring more than the others. This was because he is active in riding his bike and cannot be linked to any causes. The family encourages drinking of water upon getting out of bed to help in elimination. The mother monitors the bowel patten of the younger one and gives more vegetables if she notices hard stool. She said she gives additional water for dark urine. The wellness diagnoses in this trend indicates conduciveness of bowel movement. On the activity and exercise, the father and the two sons always have a morning jog on weekends. This was after he started gaining weight and was advised to start exercising, which seems to be working well for him even though the wife does not involve herself with any exercise as she always claims that she does not have enough for that She has her body in check and moves around a lot at her job. The mother pays attention to symptoms of flu like coughing, sneezing, running nose. She observes behaviors such as not willing to get out of bed or being sluggish and she gives prompt attention to these.

On the cognitive trend, the father is the head of the family, but he and his wife are seen to be responsible for health care decisions. However, they are well knowledgeable on health, and they seek help from their primary physicians on anything they do not understand. All family members are seen healthy non is confused, with good eyesight and smell and tasting sensational. The oldest son is diagnosed with presbyopia and uses glasses to reflect on sensory perception (Becqui et al…2019).

Moreover, in the role of relationship, the family was seen to have a sense of unity and love where the work in the house is shared between each family member. Everyone helps to clean the house and helps in the kitchen. The oldest son takes out trash on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. The two buys fold their clothes after laundry while their father oversees ironing the clothes. Both parents do the groceries, but the mother oversees cooking for the family. Members of the family settle their differences with the use of dialogue. They show love for each other by ensuring they have family hour on weekends that the mother is not working because she works every other weekends. They all go to the park and eat outside once in two weeks after Church service.

The husband and wife verbalized normal sexual relationship which helps in strengthening their relationship. The wife said her husband is very considerate with his demands whenever he notices that she had a stressful day. The family is very caring and supportive when it comes to coping with anxiety, depression, or stress. They care for each other and see that the whole family is healthy physically and spiritually.

Health Findings

Over the previous months, their elder son has been stressed by his performance and bullying at school, leading to transfer. The best way to cope with the stress was constant support and therapy to ensure that he could recover. This situation has started to affect the family relationships because he used to isolate himself from rest occasionally, and the family have planned to spend time together, helping each other understand one another. They now hold family devotion every morning.  Overall, the George’s family was seen to have its family health and nutrition in check because they eat more of carbohydrate. They have been advised to ensure they do not develop any health issues that will jeopardize their future. Also, all the family should avoid stress by any means since stress has been seen to deteriorate the health of individuals.

Family System Theory

Family therapy Family systems theory is often used in family therapy to help families improve communication, resolve conflicts, and develop healthier relationships. Therapists trained in family systems theory work with the entire family, rather than just one individual, to identify patterns of behavior and communication that may be contributing to family problems.

Bowen’s family systems theory is a classic approach to examine family processes and problems (Green, 2018) Change that occurs in a subsystem will affect the other parts. If one member of the family decides to eat healthier and work out often, this action and decision will impact the rest of the family and vice versa.

Conclusion

  1. Nurses will be able to tailor a nursing care education plan to the family if they understand that family well, handle situations and perform tasks. Family interview allows nurses to collect useful and important information on overall and current health behaviors so that they can create family-centered strategies to effectively support and guide their patients. Family interviews can help identify the individual’s support systems, including family members, friends, and other resources. This information can be useful for developing a comprehensive care plan that addresses the individual’s physical, emotional, and social needs.  Family interviews can provide insights into the family’s cultural background and values, which can be important for providing culturally sensitive care.

 References

Hook, M. P. (2019). Social work practice with families: A resiliency-based approach. Oxford University Press. 

Kaakinen, J. R., Coehlo, D. P., Steele, R., & Robinson, M. (2018). Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research. F.A. Davis. 

Shajan, Z., & Snell, D. (2019). Wright & Leahey’s nurses and families: A guide to family assessment and intervention. F.A. Davis.

Appendix:

Family Interview Questionnaire and Responses

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Values/Health Perception What are the top three values of your family’s health? How do you currently in cooperate those values in your family’s health? How do your perceptions affect your family’s health?Our family values being healthy as possible, having a reasonable diet according to one’s health, and using cultural resources when applicable. We currently in cooperate those values in our family’s healthy by cooking traditional meals that have high source of vegetables and protein. Our perceptions positively impact our family’s health. As both parents work in the medical field, we understand the importance of our health, which leads to teaching our children how to make healthier choices.
Nutrition Approximately how many servings of fruits, vegetables, protein, and carbs, does each family member intake in a day? What would you change in your family’s nutrition/diet? How does your current nutrition impact your daily performances?Each family member intakes at least five to ten servings of fruit, vegetables, protein, and carbs. We would decrease our intake of carbs and replace it with protein. Our current nutrition allows us to be physically and mentally active for a long period of time.
Sleep/Rest What time does the family sleep and what time do they wake up? How many family members can take naps during each day, and approximately for how long? For the family members who wake up earlier than the rest, how does waking up early affect the rest of your day?The family sleep at nine o’ clock on weekdays, and ten o’ clock on weekends. On weekdays, we wake up between 5-7 o’ clock in the morning, and on weekends we wake up at 7:30 in the morning. The children have time to take naps during the days, and their naps are about 30 mins to an hour long. Members that wake up earlier than the rest make them feel a lot more tried and worn out towards the end of each day. However, they get a lot more done in a day by waking up early.
Elimination About how many times a day does each member go to the toilet? What methods are used in toilet training your toddler? How concerned does the family get with toileting and incontinence?Each member goes to the bathroom 6 to 7 times a day. To toilet train our toddler, we remove his diaper and have him sit on the toilet for at least five minutes. If he does potty in the toilet, we praise him and reward him with his favorite snacks.

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3. If there seem to be something unusual or abnormal with a member’s toileting and incontinence, we take that very seriously and contact our physician.
Activity/Exercise About how long does each person in the family exercise in a day, and how many times in a week? What kinds of exercises, such as cardio, strength training, sports, does each person in the family prefer? What do you suggest that your family can improve on regarding exercise?Each person exercises for at least an hour in a day, and at least three times a week. The kids either go on a walk with the parents or play basketball in the backyard. The parents go to the gym and focus more on cardio. We could include more strength training exercises and introduce our children to more sports other than basketball.
Cognitive From 1 to 10 (10 being great), how would you rate your family’s ability to understand and use the English language and materials written in English? What general steps does your family take to understand and solve problems? How are decisions made?As an immigrant family, and English being our second language, we would rate our family’s ability to understand English and material written in English as an 8.5. To understand and solve problems, our family identifies the issue, defines our goals, generate solutions, evaluates the best solution, and go from there. Decisions are made by everyone voicing out their opinions first. Then, considering everyone’s opinion, we base our decision on that.
Sensory-Perception How do you determine when a member is ill? How is your family’s eyesight? Is taste a problem, if so, how it is affecting your day to day lives?To determine a member is ill, we notice their behavior changing (such as feeling tired and refusing to do normal things). Then, we look at their symptoms (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headache, etc.). Our family has prescription glasses by the osteopathic, so eyesight is not a problem. No, taste is not a problem.
Self-Perception What are your family’s hopes for the future? What was the best event with your family? What was the worst event with your family?Our family’s hopes for the future are to be able to travel more and have our children graduate college one day. A current, best event with our family was when we went shopping, and later had dinner at Cheesecake Factory. The worst event with our family was when one of our children got the flu. 
Role Relationship What are the roles of each family member? What chores does each family member contribute to? How are your relationships outside of the family?The parents go to work and the children attend online school on the weekdays. On the weekend, everyone helps to clean the house. Meals are either prepared by the mother or father. The parents clean the bathrooms, kitchen, and living room. Since the children are young, they help with small chores, such as helping with folding the laundry, and cleaning up their playroom. The family’s relationship outside is professional, polite, and not too interfering.
Sexuality What are your beliefs and attitudes about your own sexuality? How would you describe the adult relationship within the family? How do you feel about your gender identity?We believe it is completely normal to feel sexual feelings, and sexual feelings allow the adult relationship to stay strong. The adult relationship with the family is healthy, supportive, and loyal. We feel confident and certain about our gender identity.
Coping What methods are used when dealing with stress? How do you determine when a member is stressed? How are members of the family supporting each other when coping with stress?When one is stressed, they usually sit and think, plan, or exercise. To determine when a member is stressed, we notice them feeling low, complaining, or presenting anxious behavior. To support a member who is stressed, everyone else is by their side so that they have someone they can talk openly talk to.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

Title: NRS 429 Topic 2 Family Health Assessment Part I GCU

In today’s world, family is defined by term “ family of choice,” according to Sue Green (2018). Green (2018) describes family of choice as, “people chosen by an individual to care, love, and trust rather than the family of origin,” as well as “ people who are together out of friendship and love, not bloodlines.” Animals are also considered members of the family in the present-day. The people patients refer to as “ family,” bloodline or not, are the ones who are going to support and care for the patient the most. It is imperative that nurses assess and identify family dynamics early on, so that they can promote family health, thereby improving the patients’ overall health. Green ( 2018) mentions that, “ the health of the family influences the health of the individual.” As nurses familiarize themselves with the various family structures out there, it will allow them to better care for and serve the patients’ needs and desires.

The family system’s theory is a “classic approach to studying family processes and problems” ( Green, 2018). According to Katherine Rosenbusch (2010), the family systems are “ considered open systems in that the individual members and the unit can be influenced by internal and external environments,” and are “ adaptive because they meet the demands of the changes that impact the group.” For example, a father of a family—who is the primary provider—has a heart attack and is hospitalized for a long time, this adds stress to and can drastically affect the family dynamics. To me, I considered the family system’s theory to be somewhat of a “ domino effect” because when one thing happens something else follows suit.

Family is the foundation of the health of the community. Patient health can be better managed when the family is encouraged to participate in care and decisions and visit as much as possible to participate in the treatment plan, medication administration, and discharge plan. Ensuring the family’s health is a commitment to society and the health system at large. 

Health promotion strategies aim to enhance an individual’s well-being and prevent illness by addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors influencing health behavior (Oliveira et al., 2020). Various approaches to health promotion include education and awareness-raising, behavioral interventions, community engagement, policy and advocacy, and health communication. Health education programs may concentrate on different aspects of health, such as nutrition, physical activity, mental health, disease prevention, and management. These programs can be implemented in schools, churches, health clinics, workplaces, or community centers (Nutbeam et al., 2021).

Behavioral Interventions aim to encourage behavior change by adopting healthy habits. Such interventions include smoking cessation programs, weight management, physical activity programs, stress management, and alcohol and drug prevention. The strategy for success involves setting goals, monitoring progress, and providing incentives to reinforce healthy behaviors. Other methods may include collaboration with community leaders, organizations, and businesses to create policies and programs that promote health. Examples of community-based interventions involve increasing access to fresh produce, building bike lanes to promote active transportation, and organizing neighborhood walking groups (Stellefson et al., 2020).  

Family health is determinantal to overall wellbeing. Family has a major impact on the decisions and actions that are made regarding health and healthy choices. The Calgary Family Assessment tool is used to help determine family health through different modes of assessment. The Calgary family assessment model (CFAM), conducted through the use of short interviews, serves as a basis of family assessment and provides a snapshot of the family at that given point in time (Green, 2022). As a nurse this assessment tool is only a small glimpse into a family life but allows for a multitude of views into their lives through structural, functional and developmental viewpoints. The main goal of the CFA is to create change and improve family functionality (Green, 2022). So, understanding the importance of family health is crucial to helping a family with health promotion. In order to benefit, an assessment of a family’s foundation needs to be accomplished to understand the whole picture.

The understanding of health promotion allows a family to recognize the beginning stages of an issue with their health. Health promotion deals with medical conditions, immunizations, annual exams and relationships. The understanding of family health enables a families understanding of health promotion because it helps a family to comprehend the basic health patterns such as: coping, nutrition, exercise and self-promotion. Nurses need to be knowledgeable about the theories of families as well as the structure, function and processes of families to assist them in achieving and maintaining a state of health (Kaakineen, et al., 2018). If an individual can see that a change needs to be made in order to gain better control of a disease, then it allows for a lifestyle change. For consistency and change to occur it is crucial that health promotion is understood. If a family understands the importance of disease prevention, then it can be passed on for generations to come.   

Green, S. (2022). Health Promotion. In Grand Canyon University (Ed). Health & Wellness Across the Continuum (1) https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000585/epub/Chapter1.html#page_103

Kaakinen, J. R., Coehlo, D. P., Steele, R., & Robinson, M. (2018). Family health care nursing theory, practice, and research (6th ed.). F.A. Davis Company.

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