Family Health Assessment Essay

Family Health Assessment Essay

A family health assessment reviews all factors that indicate if a family has positive health behaviors or potential risk behaviors.  When assessing a family, it is often overlooked to diagnose with a wellness diagnoses.  A wellness diagnoses demonstrates what area a family or individual wishes to be educated about to reach a greater level of health in and focuses on the progress a patient is making towards healthy behaviors.  Modern hospitals have commonly not included the rest of the family during procedures, but there is a growing interest and evidence that having the family present is beneficial to the patient and this healthy family function should be supported by nurses (Lamont, 2006).  With this growing interest, there is a need to develop health care professionals more proficiently in assessing families and considering the family dynamic when treating any patient.  A family health assessment completed on Bridget Dixson and her family revealed many wellness diagnoses that will be explored in depth. Family Health Assessment Essay

The first area of health is Bridget’s health perception.  This area reviews lifestyle patterns that may affect the ability to function at optimal levels, even when the patient does not consider themselves to have any health issues, or are unaware of the necessity of healthy behaviors when there is no illness, or believe that any activity on their part is useless to promote health (Rentfro, 2014).  When asked about the basic requirements to keep her family healthy, Bridget stated that a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and no caffeinated beverages was at the top of her priorities.  She also feels that regular health examinations are extremely important and models this behavior for her family.  A wellness diagnosis of Health-Seeking Behaviors would be appropriate in this case (Weber, 2005).  She has a strong desire to promote health and wellness in her family and her healthy behaviors show strong progress towards realizing optimal health. Family Health Assessment Essay

Nutrition is also a strong area for this family.  The types of food eaten in their house consisted of lean meats and a lot of fruit and vegetables.  The only time they eat out at a restraint is on Friday or Saturday night and then on Sunday, for a total of two times per week.  Bridget feels it is very important for her family to have proper nutrition in order to function.   With such a strong focus on nutrition a Readiness for Enhanced Nutritional Metabolic Pattern wellness diagnosis would fit well with this family (Weber, 2005).  Nutrition is such an important area, that Bridget is very open to any education regarding how to eat even healthier and improve nutrition for herself and for her family. Family Health Assessment

Bridget expressed that she never had any difficulty in falling asleep or having difficulty staying asleep until the morning.  While this may seem healthy, it may indicate that Bridget and her family have a lack of sleep.  She also stated that they do not go to bed at the same time on a nightly basis, which is also a potential area of concern.  She was very open to suggestions on how to get more sleep or more restful sleep, leading to a third wellness diagnosis of Readiness for Enhanced Sleep (Weber, 2005).  Bridget realizes that this is an area that could use more focus in her family and wants to change this behavior in all of her family members.

The fourth category assessed was elimination.  In the area of elimination, Bridget does not wake during the night to use the restroom, her urine is almost clear and she has a bowel movement once or twice a day.  This is all healthy and normal, without much needed to improve on.  A wellness diagnosis may not be appropriate in this area the behavior patterns are already healthy and there is not much for her family to focus on in order to improve it.

Activity was a strong area for Bridget and her family.  They all exercise four to five times per week for sixty minutes at a time.  Bridget exercises doing a cardio boot camp class and the rest of her family exercises regularly as well.  She also makes it a point to stand and walk during the day instead of just staying sitting at her desk.  She expressed a strong interest in learning about interval training and anything that she could do to boost her exercise and metabolism.  Bridget demonstrated a Readiness for Enhanced Activity-Exercise Pattern (Weber, 2005).  She would willingly accept any education on better ways to exercise.  Family Health Assessment Essay          

In her cognitive assessment, Bridget stated that she had no problems with her memory when asked if she remembered what she had for breakfast this morning and for breakfast two days ago.  She is in charge of her family’s finances and keeps her check book bala************************

Family Health Assessment