Exam 11: Working With the Family

After a parent is hospitalized with severe depression, family members say, "We're falling apart. Nobody knows what to expect, who should make decisions, or what to do to keep the family together." Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care for this family? (Select all that apply.)

When a nurse assesses a family, which family task has the highest priority to facilitate healthy family functioning?

Parents of a teenager recently diagnosed with serious mental illness express dismay. One parent says, "Our child sometimes acts so strangely that we don't invite friends to the house. Sometimes we don't get any sleep. We quit taking vacations." Which nursing diagnosis applies?

A parent says, "My son and I argue constantly since he started using drugs. When I talk to him about not using drugs, he tells me to stay out of his business." What nursing action most appropriately addresses the parent's concern?

Which information is the nurse most likely to find when assessing the family of a patient with a serious and persistent mental illness?

The patient's parent asks the nurse, "Why do you want to do a family assessment? My child is the patient, not the rest of us." What response best addresses the parent's concern?

What assessment question should the nurse ask to assess a family's ability to cope?

Which scenario best illustrates scapegoating within a family?

Parents of a mentally ill teenager say, "We've never known anyone who was mentally ill. We have no one to talk to because none of our friends understand the problems." What intervention by the nurse would be most helpful in meeting the parent's expressed need?

An adult recently diagnosed with a mental illness is hospitalized with pneumonia. The patient and family are very anxious. What outcome should the nurse add to the plan of care for this family to meet their immediate needs?

Parents of a teenager recently diagnosed with serious mental illness express dismay. One parent says, "Our hopes for our child's future are ruined. We probably won't ever have grandchildren." The nurse should use interventions to assist with the parent's demonstration of what process?

Which option describes an action that is common among healthy families?

A family expresses helplessness related to dealing with a mentally ill member's odd behaviors, mood swings, and argumentativeness. Which nursing intervention for the family should be included into the careplan to help reduce interpersonal stress by learning new coping skills?

A patient has become verbally abusive toward their spouse and oldest child since losing a job 6 months ago. The child ran away twice, and the spouse has become depressed. What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this family?

A parent is admitted to a chemical dependency treatment unit. The patient's spouse and adolescent children attend a family session. What is the priority assessment question to ask family members to best assess family unit characteristics?

Which situations are most likely to place severe, disabling stress on a family? (Select all that apply.)

A parent is admitted to a chemical dependency treatment unit, where the patient's spouse and adolescent children participate in a family session. What is the most important aspect of family function to be initially assessed?

Two divorced people plan to marry. The man has a teenager, and the woman has a toddler. This family will benefit most from what form of counseling?

A 15-year-old patient is hospitalized after a suicide attempt. The adolescent lives with his mother, stepfather, and several siblings. When performing a family assessment, the nurse must first focus on securing what information?

A nurse interviews a homeless parent with two teenage children. To best assess the family's use of resources, what question should the nurse ask?