When working with families, the nurse may view the family either as context or patient. Which one of the following examples demonstrates the view of the family as context?

Question

a. The family's ability to support the patient's dietary and recreational needs
b. The patient's ability to understand and manage his or her own dietary needs
c. The family's demands on the patient based on his or her role performance
d. The adjustment of the patient and family to changes in diet and exercise

Answer 1

B

Feedback
A The family's ability to support the patient's dietary and recreational needs demonstrates the view of the family as patient.
B When the nurse views the family as context, the primary focus is on the health and development of an individual member existing within the patient's family. The patient's ability to understand and manage his or her own dietary needs demonstrates the view of the family as context.
C The family's demands on the patient based on his or her role performance demonstrates the view of the family as patient.
D The adjustment of the patient and family to changes in diet and exercise demonstrates the view of the family as patient. Nursing practice that focuses on family as patient is also known as family systems nursing.