When caring for a client with a spouse and two adolescent children, th

When caring for a client with a spouse and two adolescent children, the nurse knows that the family unit must first:

1. Be viewed as a client
2. Change traditional roles
3. Provide support for the ailing mother
4. Seek help to fulfill day-to-day needs

ANSWER

ANS: 1
The nurse must view the whole family as a client under stress, planning care to help the family regain the maximal level of functioning and well-being.
While the illness of a family member requires role reassignment in order for the family to contin-ue to function, the initial focus is to be viewed as a unit in need of care.
While the family should provide support to the ailing member, the initial focus is to be viewed as a unit in need of care.
This may become necessary in order to ensure the continued functioning of the family, but the initial focus is to be viewed as a unit in need of care.