Author Question: The nurse is caring for a male patient newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The patient is ... (Read 126 times)

Capo · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a male patient newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The patient is not adjusting well to the diagnosis and is refusing to learn how to self-inject insulin.

The patient's wife is critical of the patient's refusal to learn; a small argument ensues, and the wife leaves, stating, I'll be back later when I cool off. What should the nurse do?
a. Ask the patient if he would like his wife excluded at visiting time.
b. Tell the wife in the hall that her behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
c. Realize that the wife will be an important part of therapy.
d. Tell the patient that he needs to listen to his wife more.

Question 2

The nurse is interviewing a patient who is being admitted to the hospital. The patient's family went home before the nurse's interview. The nurse asks the patient, Who decides where to go on vacation? In asking this, what is the nurse trying to do?

a. Assess the family structure.
b. Assess the family form.
c. Assess the family function.
d. Make a categorical generalization.

janeli · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Although relationships are strained when confronted with illness, research indicates that family members have the potential to be a primary force for coping. Excluding the wife would limit that potential. The unacceptable behavior, in this situation, may be the way this individual expresses concern and frustration. The nurse may want to speak with the wife to allow her to vent those concerns and frustrations. Telling the patient that he needs to listen to his wife would set up an adversarial situation that should be avoided.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
To assess the family structure, the nurse asks questions that determine the power structure and patterning of roles and tasks (e.g., Who decides where to go on vacation?). When focusing on family form, the nurse should begin the family assessment by determining the patient's definition of family. Family function is the ability of the family to provide emotional support and to cope with health problems or situations. The question asked above will not assess that. It is imperative to remember that categorical generalizations are misleading and should be avoided.