A patient has been dismissed from the hospital after a serious illness and needs several weeks of home care and rehabilitation. When the visiting nurse comes to the house, it is apparent that the family is not functioning
The house is dirty, there is little food available, and one parent and an older child are arguing about picking up a younger sibling from school. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A.
Ask the parents if they need financial resources for the basic necessities.
B.
Assess each family member for the roles he or she plays in the family.
C.
Contact child protective services or social work to assess the home environment.
D.
Provide referrals for family and couples counseling in the community.
ANS: B
According to structural-functional theory, each person in a family unit occupies a specific role. Sometimes roles are shared. A problem can occur when one member of the family is unable to fill his or her role and no one else is doing it. That appears to be the situation here. The nurse should assess what roles each family member plays and assist them to see how they can fulfill the role formerly held by the patient. The family may need financial resources if the patient was the breadwinner. There is no need to conduct an environmental assessment, as it does not appear that any family member is in danger. The family may or may not need counseling at this time.
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