Health professionals should use their competencies to complete family health assessments successfully. This practice empowers them to provide evidence-based support and care to improve patients’ experiences. This paper presents a detailed assessment of an African American nuclear family and a befitting care plan in accordance with the nursing process.
Family Assessment
The conducted assessment revealed that the members did not have any psychological or physical condition that might affect their functions. The home is designed properly to ensure that all members move from point A to B. The external environment is also appropriate for these individuals. This family has a moderate or favorable living situation since they have access to both primary and secondary needs. The family’s annual income of 30,000 USD makes it financially sustainable. The members have minimum expenses. The family supports itself since George works for a local insurance company.
Each family member has managed to accomplish age-specific developmental tasks. George has completed college education, has a job, and a family. Ann has basic education and is a mother. She is married and is capable of taking good care of her son. Brian is healthy, can engage in various exercises, and is able to communicate freely. The current developmental states of these members do not create any form of stress. This family is in the childbearing level of stage. This is a clear indication that the members are able to achieve their aims. The successful completion of their past stages has empowered them to pursue their aims. The husband and wife have attained basic education and addressed their past challenges efficiently.
The analysis has revealed that the family does not have any history of genetic predisposition to any known disease. All the members have also received the necessary immunizations for various conditions, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and measles. The child in this family does not have health problems. The only hospital admission occurred during Ann’s pregnancy. George remained responsible throughout the period.
Face-to-face communication is the primary mode of communication in this family. However, mobile phones and the Internet have become instrumental due to the nature of George’s career. These methods have been effective since all individuals are always involved and willing to address every emerging challenge. George makes most of the decisions regarding what needs to be done. However, the members collaborate whenever making long-term resolutions. This family has not experienced any form of domestic violence. The practice discipline method is to show and tell. The parents have also set defined limits for Brian.
Whenever there is a crisis, both George and Ann focus on the best solution to overcome any possible negative outcome. Members of the extended family might be involved as a way of problem escalation. This family is religious and worships on Sundays. The individuals observe various ceremonies and rituals, such as Christmas, prayers, and Bible reading sessions. They also engage in health-seeking tendencies whenever necessary. These factors explain why the social status of the family remains quite low. They also pursue the ideals associated with African Americans.
The family has both short-term and long-term goals. The current ones include taking good care of Brian and meeting all needs. The long-term aims include improving financial position, getting a second child, securing the best education for them, and eventually establishing an effective emergency plan. As described earlier, the main external source of support is from George’s father. Other sources of support include the major incentives available from the local, state, and federal governments. There is no any form of role conflict or overload in this family. This happens to be the case since every person is aware of his or her duties that should be completed in a timely manner. This family lacks an emergency plan to deal with disasters and crises.
Care Plan: Using the Nursing Process
Nursing Diagnoses
- The first diagnosis will focus on Brian’s pediatric health needs evidenced by his tender age.
- The second one will focus on the best approaches to deal with possible crises as evidenced by the absence of a sustainable disaster response plan (Lofti et al., 2020).
- The third one will focus on evidence-based health promotion models to tackle emerging risk factors, including the lack of high-quality health services and pediatric medical demands.
Goals
- The first objective is for George and Ann to monitor Brian’s health demands.
- The second one is for the members to be prepared for any health problem.
- The third aim is to create an effective health promotion plan to address emerging medical issues.
Nursing Interventions
- Family members to receive timely resources to improve pediatric health outcomes. The rationale is that such tools will empower all family members to appreciate the needs of children aged 1-5 years (Lofti et al., 2020). This knowledge will empower them to implement appropriate measures to meet Brian’s health demands.
- The individuals should learn to monitor their health statuses. The rationale is that there are emerging lifestyle risks and diseases affecting many people today, such as hypertension, stroke, and obesity (Fiscella & Sanders, 2016). When these members focus on every health concern, chances are high that they will record positive outcomes.
Evaluation
- Every family member should be screened for obesity and pressure frequently (Harkess & Kaddoura, 2016).
- The development of an effective health promotion model is critical.
References
Lofti, M., Zamanzadeh, V., Valizadeh, L., Khajehgoodari, M., Rezaei, M. E., & Khalilzad, M. A. (2020). The implementation of the nursing process in lower‐income countries: An integrative review. Nursing Open, 7(1), 42-57. Web.
Harkess, L., & Kaddoura, M. (2016). Culture and cultural competence in nursing education and practice: The state of the art. Nursing Forum: An Independent Voice for Nursing, 51(3), 211-222. Web.
Fiscella, K., & Sanders, M. R. (2016). Racial and ethnic disparities in the quality of health care. Annual Review of Public Health, 37, 375-394. Web.