N104: Essentials of Nursing Care - Health Safety

N104: Essentials of Nursing Care – Health Safety Study Guide Chapter Five: Pediatric Care The care of the pediatric patient is different from the care of adults because the psychology and anatomy and physiology of the child is different, the patient's family or caregivers must be included in all aspects of care, and communication with the patient can provide special challenges for the nurse. 5.1 Family Theories The concept of family means different things to different people. The nurse must accept the patient's definition of family. There are several different theories that may help the nurse understand how to work with the patient in the context of the family. In all cases, when working with the pediatric patient, the nurse must include the family or caregiver in all aspects of care. Family Systems Theory In the family systems theory, the family is viewed as a system that interacts with individual members and the environment. These interactions may make it difficult to determine what causes dysfunction, but in family systems theory, excessive change is believed to be the cause of much of the dysfunction. Feedback between family members and the environment helps to determine if goals are being achieved. In this theory, families alternate between periods of rapid change and relative stability. Family Stress Theory This theory assumes that stress is a part of life and all events are potentially stressful. Families experience stress just as individuals do. The stress can be expected or unexpected and families react to these stressors in varied ways. As stress accumulates, the primary focus is on helping individual members cope with the stressors by using the resources, coping, and social skills to create adaptive outcomes. Developmental Theory The developmental theory is based on Erik Erikson's stages of development and assumes that the family develops at the same rate as the oldest child. So, when the oldest child moves into the young adult stage, the family makes a similar move into that stage. As the family moves from one stage into the next stage, disequilibrium and dysfunction may occur and the family must work to correct this disequilibrium. Structural-functional Theory The structural-functional theory of family focuses on the interrelationships between individual family members and the rest of society. The purpose of the family is to meet family needs and socialize the child to become a member of society. The structural-functional theory focuses on the preparation of family members to function within occupational systems.

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