Family Health Assessment
Running head: FAMILY HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Family Health Assessment
Laura L. Cooper
Grand Canyon University: NRS 429V
August 23, 2011
Family Health Assessment The term family brings to mind a visual image of adults and children living together in a harmonious manner, although this may not be the case for all. The “typical” family, two biological parents and children, has changed over time. Families are as diverse as the individuals that compose them, and clients have deeply ingrained values about their families that deserve respect. The family is the primary social context in which health promotion and disease prevention takes place, as the family’s beliefs, values, and practices strongly influence the health behavior of its members. Using a family-focused approach is a priority when providing adequate family care and support. The purpose of this paper is to complete a family health assessment using a family focused approach by utilizing Gordon’s functional health patterns and the systems theory.
Functional Health Patterns Functional health patterns constitute the framework used for obtaining a structured family nursing history, which consists of 11 areas of function to promote areas of wellness as well as health problems. The systems theory was used in conjunction with the functional health patterns to guide the assessment of the family. Systems theory helps the nurse to understand family interactions, along with the family’s values, beliefs, and coping mechanisms. According to Edelman and Mandle, 2006, this theory states that any change in one family member will affect the entire family unit. A good example of this for the family that was accessed would be that the son has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and due to this disorder the family as a whole has had to learn how to cope with the son’s behaviors that are different from the other children in the household.
Health Perception/Health Management The family stated that they all
Family Health Assessment
Laura L. Cooper
Grand Canyon University: NRS 429V
August 23, 2011
Family Health Assessment The term family brings to mind a visual image of adults and children living together in a harmonious manner, although this may not be the case for all. The “typical” family, two biological parents and children, has changed over time. Families are as diverse as the individuals that compose them, and clients have deeply ingrained values about their families that deserve respect. The family is the primary social context in which health promotion and disease prevention takes place, as the family’s beliefs, values, and practices strongly influence the health behavior of its members. Using a family-focused approach is a priority when providing adequate family care and support. The purpose of this paper is to complete a family health assessment using a family focused approach by utilizing Gordon’s functional health patterns and the systems theory.
Functional Health Patterns Functional health patterns constitute the framework used for obtaining a structured family nursing history, which consists of 11 areas of function to promote areas of wellness as well as health problems. The systems theory was used in conjunction with the functional health patterns to guide the assessment of the family. Systems theory helps the nurse to understand family interactions, along with the family’s values, beliefs, and coping mechanisms. According to Edelman and Mandle, 2006, this theory states that any change in one family member will affect the entire family unit. A good example of this for the family that was accessed would be that the son has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and due to this disorder the family as a whole has had to learn how to cope with the son’s behaviors that are different from the other children in the household.
Health Perception/Health Management The family stated that they all
References: Ackley, B. J. & Ladwig, G. B., (2008) Nursing diagnosis handbook, an evidence- based guide to planning care, (8th ed.) St Edelman, C., & Mandle, C.L. (2010). Health promotion throughout the life span. (7th ed) St Parents as Teachers accessed August 26, 2011 from http://azpartnershipforchildren.org/parentsAsTeachers.htm