Chapter 13 Family Assessment
1. The case manager for two families with children who have type 2 diabetes is struck by the
differences between the families. In one family, the parents are intentional about providing fruits and
vegetables for their child to eat, regularly remind him to check his blood glucose level, and make sure
that he engages in some sort of outdoor activity every afternoon. In the other family, the kitchen is
stocked primarily with potato chips and processed snack foods, the child does not monitor her
glucose level consistently, and she spends her afternoons texting or watching videos on the sofa. By
this comparison, the case manager realizes how critical the family is in forming the attitude the child
has toward caring for his or her own health. Which grand nursing theory does this experience best
illustrate?
A) Science of Unitary Beings
B) Health as Expanding Consciousness
C) Roy Adaptation Model
D) Self-care Agency
Ans: D
Feedback:
In the Self-care Agency theory, family is the foundation for self-care and a setting for care. In the
Science of Unitary Beings theory, family represents a group energy field and is part of an individual's
environment, along with individual patterns. In the Health as Expanding Consciousness theory,
families are environments that are active, constantly interacting, and evolving. In the Roy Adaptation
Model, roles and relationships within the family are part of family functioning and adaptation.
Page 1
,Origin: Chapter 13- Family Assessment, 2
2. During a home visit of a client with high blood pressure with whom the nurse has developed a
strong therapeutic relationship, the nurse learn that the client keeps a large salt shaker near the
stove and heavily salts whatever he is cooking. He also keeps a salt shaker on the dinner table and
adds more salt when eating. The nurse suggests removing the salt shaker near the stove and only
lightly salting food when eating as a way to help reduce the client's sodium intake. This intervention
would most likely achieve the goals for assessment associated with which nursing theory?
A) Science of Unitary Beings
B) Health as Expanding Consciousness
C) Roy Adaptation Model
D) Self-care Agency
Ans: B
Feedback:
The nursing goals for assessment for the theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness are to develop
a therapeutic relationship with the family that helps them identify areas for change and to build a
story with the family as a means to change a pattern. The nursing goals for assessment for the theory
of Science of Unitary Beings are to identify family patterns, which enable nurses to gain
understanding and appreciation for the family, and to partner with families to make changes and
define outcomes. The nursing goals for assessment for the theory of Roy Adaptation Model are to
identify basic health needs and the key roles and relationships within the family and to determine
how different stimuli affect the family's ability to adapt to change. The nursing goals for assessment
for the theory of Self-care Agency are to identify roles and relationships within the family and to
determine the family's ability to respond to critical situations and support each other.
Page 2
, Origin: Chapter 13- Family Assessment, 3
3. There are several approaches to family assessment that use particular concepts that nurses
typically encounter in practice. These models provide an organized framework with which to conduct
a family assessment. Which is the aim of the family assessment in the Life Span Development
approach?
A) To identify family routines and rituals that could influence family health B) To identify family
health practices within a social and historical context C) To assess health patterns in 11 areas of
family health
D) To engage the family as a way to identify its strengths, with attention to family dynamics and
concerns related to health and illness
Ans: B
Feedback:
The aim of family assessment in the Life Span Development approach is to identify family health
practices within a social and historical context. The aim of family assessment in the Rituals and
Routines approach is to identify family routines and rituals that could influence family health. The
aim of family assessment in the Functional Health Patterns approach is to assess health patterns in
11 areas of family health. The aim of family assessment in the Family Systems approach is to engage
the
family as a way to identify its strengths, with attention to family dynamics and concerns related to
health and illness.
Origin: Chapter 13- Family Assessment, 4
4. The community health nurse has limited time for family assessments because of demanding
caseloads or staffing shortages. Using your knowledge that focused family interviews of 15 minutes
or less can yield a wealth of information, which is an example of an activity that will acknowledge the
family's strengths?
Page 3
1. The case manager for two families with children who have type 2 diabetes is struck by the
differences between the families. In one family, the parents are intentional about providing fruits and
vegetables for their child to eat, regularly remind him to check his blood glucose level, and make sure
that he engages in some sort of outdoor activity every afternoon. In the other family, the kitchen is
stocked primarily with potato chips and processed snack foods, the child does not monitor her
glucose level consistently, and she spends her afternoons texting or watching videos on the sofa. By
this comparison, the case manager realizes how critical the family is in forming the attitude the child
has toward caring for his or her own health. Which grand nursing theory does this experience best
illustrate?
A) Science of Unitary Beings
B) Health as Expanding Consciousness
C) Roy Adaptation Model
D) Self-care Agency
Ans: D
Feedback:
In the Self-care Agency theory, family is the foundation for self-care and a setting for care. In the
Science of Unitary Beings theory, family represents a group energy field and is part of an individual's
environment, along with individual patterns. In the Health as Expanding Consciousness theory,
families are environments that are active, constantly interacting, and evolving. In the Roy Adaptation
Model, roles and relationships within the family are part of family functioning and adaptation.
Page 1
,Origin: Chapter 13- Family Assessment, 2
2. During a home visit of a client with high blood pressure with whom the nurse has developed a
strong therapeutic relationship, the nurse learn that the client keeps a large salt shaker near the
stove and heavily salts whatever he is cooking. He also keeps a salt shaker on the dinner table and
adds more salt when eating. The nurse suggests removing the salt shaker near the stove and only
lightly salting food when eating as a way to help reduce the client's sodium intake. This intervention
would most likely achieve the goals for assessment associated with which nursing theory?
A) Science of Unitary Beings
B) Health as Expanding Consciousness
C) Roy Adaptation Model
D) Self-care Agency
Ans: B
Feedback:
The nursing goals for assessment for the theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness are to develop
a therapeutic relationship with the family that helps them identify areas for change and to build a
story with the family as a means to change a pattern. The nursing goals for assessment for the theory
of Science of Unitary Beings are to identify family patterns, which enable nurses to gain
understanding and appreciation for the family, and to partner with families to make changes and
define outcomes. The nursing goals for assessment for the theory of Roy Adaptation Model are to
identify basic health needs and the key roles and relationships within the family and to determine
how different stimuli affect the family's ability to adapt to change. The nursing goals for assessment
for the theory of Self-care Agency are to identify roles and relationships within the family and to
determine the family's ability to respond to critical situations and support each other.
Page 2
, Origin: Chapter 13- Family Assessment, 3
3. There are several approaches to family assessment that use particular concepts that nurses
typically encounter in practice. These models provide an organized framework with which to conduct
a family assessment. Which is the aim of the family assessment in the Life Span Development
approach?
A) To identify family routines and rituals that could influence family health B) To identify family
health practices within a social and historical context C) To assess health patterns in 11 areas of
family health
D) To engage the family as a way to identify its strengths, with attention to family dynamics and
concerns related to health and illness
Ans: B
Feedback:
The aim of family assessment in the Life Span Development approach is to identify family health
practices within a social and historical context. The aim of family assessment in the Rituals and
Routines approach is to identify family routines and rituals that could influence family health. The
aim of family assessment in the Functional Health Patterns approach is to assess health patterns in
11 areas of family health. The aim of family assessment in the Family Systems approach is to engage
the
family as a way to identify its strengths, with attention to family dynamics and concerns related to
health and illness.
Origin: Chapter 13- Family Assessment, 4
4. The community health nurse has limited time for family assessments because of demanding
caseloads or staffing shortages. Using your knowledge that focused family interviews of 15 minutes
or less can yield a wealth of information, which is an example of an activity that will acknowledge the
family's strengths?
Page 3
