Chapter 2 Wong

Which family theory explains how families react to stressful events and suggests factors that promote adaptation to these events? a. Interactional theory b. Developmental systems theory c. Family stress theory d. Duvall's developmental theory

ANS: C Family stress theory explains the reaction of families to stressful events. In addition, the theory helps suggest factors that promote adaptation to the stress. Stressors, both positive and negative, are cumulative and affect the family. Adaptation requires a change in family structure or interaction.

Which is the term for a family in which the paternal grandmother, the parents, and two minor children live together? a. Blended b. Nuclear c. Binuclear d. Extended

ANS: D An extended family contains at least one parent, one or more children, and one or more members (related or unrelated) other than a parent or sibling. A blended family contains at least one stepparent, step-sibling, or half-sibling. The nuclear family consists of two parents and their children. No other relatives or nonrelatives are present in the household. In binuclear families, parents continue the parenting role while terminating the spousal unit. For example, when joint custody is assigned by the court, each parent has equal rights and responsibilities for the minor child or children.

A mother brings 6-month-old Eric to the clinic for a well-baby checkup. She comments, "I want to go back to work, but I don't want Eric to suffer because I'll have less time with him." The nurse's most appropriate answer would be which statement? a. "I'm sure he'll be fine if you get a good babysitter." b. "You will need to stay home until Eric starts school." c. "You should go back to work so Eric will get used to being with others." d. "Let's talk about the child care options that will be best for Eric."

ANS: D Let's talk about the child care options that will be best for Eric is an open-ended statement that will assist the mother in exploring her concerns about what is best for both her and Eric. I'm sure he'll be fine if you get a good babysitter, You will need to stay home until Eric starts school, and You should go back to work so Eric will get used to being with others are directive statements. They do not address the effect of her working on Eric.

Parenting Styles

Dictatorial or authoritarian = control child's behaviors thru unquestioned rules & expectations Permissive = little or no control over behaviors Democratic or authoritative = direct behavior by setting rules & explaining the reason for each rule setting Passive = uninvolved, indifferent, emotionally removed

A nurse is admitting a child, in foster care, to the hospital. The nurse recognizes that foster parents care for the child _____ hours a day. (Record your answer as a whole number.)

24 The term foster care is defined as 24-hour substitute care for children outside of their own homes.

A nurse is assessing a family's structure. Which describes a family in which a mother, her children, and a stepfather live together? a. Blended b. Nuclear c. Binuclear d. Extended

ANS: A A blended family contains at least one stepparent, step-sibling, or half-sibling. The nuclear family consists of two parents and their children. No other relatives or nonrelatives are present in the household. In binuclear families, parents continue the parenting role while terminating the spousal unit. For example, when joint custody is assigned by the court, each parent has equal rights and responsibilities for the minor child or children. An extended family contains at least one parent, one or more children, and one or more members (related or unrelated) other than a parent or sibling.

The nurse is teaching a group of new parents about the experience of role transition. Which statement by a parent would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching? a. "My marital relationship can have a positive or negative effect on the role transition." b. "If an infant has special care needs, the parents' sense of confidence in their new role is strengthened." c. "Young parents can adjust to the new role easier than older parents." d. "A parent's previous experience with children makes the role transition more difficult."

ANS: A If parents are supportive of each other, they can serve as positive influences on establishing satisfying parental roles. When marital tensions alter caregiving routines and interfere with the enjoyment of the infant, then the marital relationship has a negative effect. Infants with special care needs can be a significant source of added stress. Older parents are usually more able to cope with the greater financial responsibilities, changes in sleeping habits, and reduced time for each other and other children. Parents who have previous experience with parenting appear more relaxed, have less conflict in disciplinary relationships, and are more aware of normal growth and development.

A 3-year-old girl was adopted immediately after birth. The parents have just asked the nurse how they should tell the child that she is adopted. Which guidelines concerning adoption should the nurse use in planning a response? a. Telling the child is an important aspect of their parental responsibilities. b. The best time to tell the child is between ages 7 and 10 years. c. It is not necessary to tell the child who was adopted so young. d. It is best to wait until the child asks about it.

ANS: A It is important for the parents not to withhold information about the adoption from the child. It is an essential component of the child's identity. There is no recommended best time to tell children. It is believed that children should be told young enough so they do not remember a time when they did not know. It should be done before the children enter school to keep third parties from telling the children before the parents have had the opportunity.

When assessing a family, the nurse determines that the parents exert little or no control over their children. What is this style of parenting called? a. Permissive b. Dictatorial c. Democratic d. Authoritarian

ANS: A Permissive parents avoid imposing their own standards of conduct and allow their children to regulate their own activity as much as possible. The parents exert little or no control over their children's actions. Dictatorial or authoritarian parents attempt to control their children's behavior and attitudes through unquestioned mandates. They establish rules and regulations or standards of conduct that they expect to be followed rigidly and unquestioningly. Democratic parents combine permissive and dictatorial styles. They direct their children's behavior and attitudes by emphasizing the reasons for rules and negatively reinforcing deviations. They respect the child's individual nature.

Divorced parents of a preschool child are asking whether their child will display any feelings or behaviors related to the effect of the divorce. The nurse is correct when explaining that the parents should be prepared for which types of behaviors? (Select all that apply.) a. Displaying fears of abandonment b. Verbalizing that he or she "is the reason for the divorce" c. Displaying fear regarding the future d. Ability to disengage from the divorce proceedings e. Engaging in fantasy to understand the divorce

ANS: A, B, E A child 3 to 5 years of age (preschool) may display fears of abandonment, verbalize feelings that he or she is the reason for the divorce, and engage in fantasy to understand the divorce. He or she would not be displaying fear regarding the future until school age, and the ability to disengage from the divorce proceedings would be characteristic of an adolescent.

Which term best describes a group of people who share a set of values, beliefs, practices, social relationships, law, politics, economics, and norms of behavior? a. Race b. Culture c. Ethnicity d. Social group

ANS: B Culture is a pattern of assumptions, beliefs, and practices that unconsciously frames or guides the outlook and decisions of a group of people. A culture is composed of individuals who share a set of values, beliefs, and practices that serve as a frame of reference for individual perceptions and judgments. Race is defined as a division of humankind possessing traits that are transmissible by descent and are sufficient to characterize it as a distinct human type. Ethnicity is an affiliation of a set of persons who share a unique cultural, social, and linguistic heritage. A social group consists of systems of roles carried out in groups. Examples of primary social groups include the family and peer groups.

Parents of a firstborn child are asking whether it is normal for their child to be extremely competitive. The nurse should respond to the parents that studies about the ordinal position of children suggest that firstborn children tend to: a. be praised less often. b. be more achievement oriented. c. be more popular with the peer group. d. identify with peer group more than parents.

ANS: B Firstborn children, like only children, tend to be more achievement oriented. Being praised less often, being more popular with the peer group, and identifying with peer groups more than parents are characteristics of later-born children.

When discussing discipline with the mother of a 4-year-old child, the nurse should include which instruction? a. Children as young as 4 years old rarely need to be punished. b. Parental control should be consistent. c. Withdrawal of love and approval is effective at this age. d. One should expect rules to be followed rigidly and unquestioningly.

ANS: B For effective discipline, parents must be consistent and must follow through with agreed-on actions. Realistic goals should be set for this age group. Parents should structure the environment to prevent unnecessary difficulties. Requests for behavior change should be phrased in a positive manner to provide direction for the child. Withdrawal of love and approval is never appropriate or effective. Discipline strategies should be appropriate to the child's age, temperament, and severity of the misbehavior. Following rules rigidly and unquestioningly is beyond the developmental capabilities of a 4-year-old.

A parent of a school-age child is going through a divorce. The parent tells the school nurse the child has not been doing well in school and sometimes has trouble sleeping. The nurse should recognize this as which implication? a. Indication of maladjustment b. Common reaction to divorce c. Lack of adequate parenting d. Unusual response that indicates need for referral

ANS: B Parental divorce affects school-age children in many ways. In addition to difficulties in school, they often have profound sadness, depression, fear, insecurity, frequent crying, loss of appetite, and sleep disorders. This is not an indication of maladjustment, suggestive of lack of adequate parenting, or an unusual response that indicates need for referral in school-age children after parental divorce.

A nurse is conducting a teaching session on the use of time-out as a discipline measure to parents of toddlers. Which are correct strategies the nurse should include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.) a. Time-out as a discipline measure cannot be used when in a public place. b. A rule for the length of time-out is 1 minute per year. c. When the child misbehaves, one warning should be given. d. The area for time-out can be in the family room where the child can see the television. e. When the child is quiet for the specified time, he or she can leave the room.

ANS: B, C, E A rule for the length of time-out is 1 minute per year of age; use a kitchen timer with an audible bell to record the time rather than a watch. When the child misbehaves, one warning should be given. When the child is quiet for the duration of the time, he or she can then leave the room. Time-out can be used in public places and the parents should be consistent on the use of time-out. Implement time-out in a public place by selecting a suitable area or explain to children that time-out will be spent immediately on returning home. The time-out should not be spent in an area from which the child can view the television. Select an area for time-out that is safe, convenient, and unstimulating but where the child can be monitored, such as the bathroom, hallway, or laundry room.

Dunst, Trivette, and Deal identified the qualities of strong families that help them function effectively. Which qualities are included? (Select all that apply.) a. Ability to stay connected without spending time together b. Clear set of family values, rules, and beliefs c. Adoption of one coping strategy that always promotes positive functioning in dealing with life events d. Sense of commitment toward growth of individual family members as opposed to that of the family unit e. Ability to engage in problem-solving activities f. Sense of balance between the use of internal and external family resources

ANS: B, E, F A clear set of family rules, values, and beliefs that establishes expectations about acceptable and desired behavior is one of the qualities of strong families that help them function effectively. Strong families also are able to engage in problem-solving activities and to find a balance between internal and external forces. Strong families have a sense of congruence among family members regarding the value and importance of assigning time and energy to meet needs. Strong families also use varied coping strategies. The sense of commitment is toward the growth and well-being of individual family members, as well as the family unit.

A nurse is selecting a family theory to assess a patient's family dynamics. Which family theory best describes a series of tasks for the family throughout its life span? a. Interactional theory b. Developmental systems theory c. Structural-functional theory d. Duvall's developmental theory

ANS: D Duvall's developmental theory describes eight developmental tasks of the family throughout its life span. Interactional theory and structural-functional theory are not family theories. Developmental systems theory is an outgrowth of Duvall's theory. The family is described as a small group, a semiclosed system of personalities that interact with the larger cultural system. Changes do not occur in one part of the family without changes in others.

Which term best describes the emotional attitude that one's own ethnic group is superior to others? a. Culture b. Ethnicity c. Superiority d. Ethnocentrism

ANS: D Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's way of living and behaving is the best way. This includes the emotional attitude that the values, beliefs, and perceptions of one's ethnic group are superior to those of others. Culture is a pattern of assumptions, beliefs, and practices that unconsciously frames or guides the outlook and decisions of a group of people. A culture is composed of individuals who share a set of values, beliefs, and practices that serves as a frame of reference for individual perception and judgments. Ethnicity is an affiliation of a set of persons who share a unique cultural, social, and linguistic heritage. Superiority is the state or quality of being superior; it does not include ethnicity.

Which is most characteristic of the physical punishment of children, such as spanking? a. Psychological impact is usually minimal. b. Children rarely become accustomed to spanking. c. Children's development of reasoning increases. d. Misbehavior is likely to occur when parents are not present.

ANS: D Through the use of physical punishment, children learn what they should not do. When parents are not around, it is more likely that children will misbehave because they have not learned to behave well for their own sake, but rather out of fear of punishment. Spanking can cause severe physical and psychological injury and interfere with effective parent-child interaction. Children do become accustomed to spanking, requiring more severe corporal punishment each time. The use of corporal punishment may interfere with the child's development of moral reasoning.

A nurse is assisting a group of parents of adolescents to develop skills that will improve communication within the family. The nurse hears one parent state, "My son knows he better do what I say." Which of the following parenting styles is the parent exhibiting? A. authoritarian b. permissive c. authoritative d. passive

Ans: A This parent is exhibiting an authoritarian parenting style. The parent controls the adolescent's behaviors and attitudes through unquestioned rules and expectations.

The nurse is performing a family assessment. Which of the following should the nurse include? (select all that apply) A. Medical History B. parents' educational level c. child's physical growth d. support systems e. Stressors

Ans: A, B, D, E

A nurse manager on a pediatric floor is preparing an education program on working with families for a group of newly hired nurses. Which of the following should the nurse include when discussing the developmental theory? A. Describes that stress in inevitable B. Emphasizes that change with one member affects the entire family C. Provides guidance to assist families adapting to stress D. Defines consistencies in how families change

Ans: D The nurse should include that the developmental theory defines consistencies in how families change. The family stress theory describes that stress is inevitable. The family system theory emphasizes that change with one family member affects the entire family. The family stress theory provides guidance to assist families adapting to stress.

Family Theories

Family systems: family is viewed as a whole system, instead of the individual members. A change to one member affects the entire system. Family stress: stress is inevitable - expected or unexpected. Developmental: views families as small groups that interact with the larger social system. Emphasized similarities & consistencies in how family develop and change. Uses Duvall's family life cycle stages to describe the changes a family goes through over time.

Family Assessment

History Structure Developmental tasks Family characteristics Family stressors Environment Family support system

Family Composition

Traditional nuclear family = married couple & biological children. Nuclear family = 2 parents & their children (biologic, adoptive, step, foster) Single-parent family Blended family = at least one stepparent, step-sibling, or half-sibling Extended family = at least one parent, one or more children, and other individuals (Might not be related) gay/lesbian family Foster family Binuclear family = parents who have terminated spousal roles but continue their parenting roles Communal family = Individuals who share common ownership of property & goods, & exchange services w/o monetary consideration

What does Duvall's Developmental Stages of the Family include? Select all that apply a. stages an individual progresses through in their moral & spiritual development b. stages families progress through in adulthood c. stages that designate how parenting progresses as a child develops d. stages that designate appropriate discipline related to developmental stages e. stages that describe the journey a couple will take as their children mature

b, c, e

The nurse is explaining strategy of consequences to a parent he is working with. Which response by the parent indicates more teaching is needed when he describes the types of consequences? a. natural: those that occur without any intervention b. Logical: Those that are directly related to the rule c. Transforming: allowing the child to come to the conclusion on his or her own D. unrelated: Those that are imposed deliberately

c. Transforming: allowing the child to come to the conclusion on his or her own

What does family systems theory include? a. direct causality, meaning each change effects the whole family b. Family systems react to change as they take place, not initiate it c. a balance between morphogenesis & morphostasis is necessary d. Theory is used primarily for family dysfunction and pathology

c. a balance between morphogenesis & morphostasis is necessary