Question

What is the best definition of the term family for the community health nurse during a home visit?

Select one:

a. The basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children

b. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children who live in the same household

c. A group of people that are biologically related who share strong relationships

d. A concept best defined by the person(s) being interviewed

Answer 1

Correct answer: d: A concept best defined by the person/s being interviewed

1. Community health nurses during a home visit should ask the interviewee who he/she considers to be family.
2. With the patient's permission, the nurse should include these people in their healthcare planning.
3. There is no single definition of family and the concept of family keeps changing with time.
4. A family can be any of the following
   1. traditional family - husband, wife, and children
   2. Stepfamily - where one of the parents is not biologically related to the children
   3. Same-sex families - Both the parents belong to the same gender.
   4. Single parent families - one of the parents is absent due to death or divorce.

Incorrect answer:

Option a:

1. it is true that a family is a basic unit of society.
2. It is a group of people who share common characteristics.
3. They are influenced by the societal value and belief system.
4. A family may not only contain parents and their offspring but may also contain other members like grandparents, uncles, cousins
5. They should also be included in the health care planning process by the nurse.

Option b:

1. A family does stay in the same household.
2. However, it may contain more members.
3. They are equally important while planning health care

Option c:

1. Biological relationships are not common to all families.
2. Sometimes, one of the family members may be adopted or has entered the family unit after second marriage ( stepfather or stepmother)