Examples Of Nursing Family Assessment

Introduction

Defining Family Assessment Family assessment is an important concept to understand in nursing practice. Not only does it provide the nurse with information of the family itself, but it also provides insight on each individual within the family. According to Kaakinen (2015), family assessment is defined as a nursing intervention which, under the scope of nursing practice, fulfills the health care needs of patients and their families. In addition, this nursing family assessment can be utilized by categorizing the assessment into the family as a context, as a whole, as a system, and as a component of society. In family assessment, it is vital to consider each of these aspects, as each contributes to understanding the patient on

According to Kaakinen (2015), family health is a concept that encompasses each aspect of an individual’s life, as well as the entire family. Family health is “biological, psychological, spiritual, sociological, and cultural” in nature, and is continuously changing as a family evolves as a whole. In addition, each individual’s health has an impact on the family, affecting their health and functioning as a whole. Therefore, the nurse can use this information in order to form a more holistic assessment of individuals and their families (Kaakinen, 2015, p. 5). In addition to this, Lindenmeyer and colleagues (2011) emphasize the importance of health care providers’ inquiry about each patient’s family health in order to make informed decisions regarding a patient’s care, and to provide more individualized care (pp. 401-402). Family assessment can aide the nurse in forming a background and foundation for a greater understanding of the patient and their

Kaakinen (2015) explains this impact by describing numerous family nursing roles, including health teacher, family advocate, counselor, researcher, and role model. Although these are just a few of the many family nursing roles, it is important to understand the effect the nurse has in each aspect of family care. For example, the nurse acts as a health teacher to individuals and their families by guiding them in healthy living practices, illnesses, and even parenting. In addition, the nurse can be a family advocate and counselor by encouraging each individual within the family to convey their ideas and helping families cope with illnesses. The nurse forms an intricate relationship with the patient and their family; Family assessment allows the nurse to form a deeper understanding of the patient, and therefore a deeper relationship with the patient and their family as