Betty Neuman created a framework that empowers nurses and other medical practitioner in designing well-rounded health solutions for their patients. It is an approach that improves the quality of healthcare and challenge nurses to think about the issue from various perspectives. In this case, the framework is used to address the health issues in a family of five. They are a close knit family dealing with moving to a new place, income uncertainties and other anxieties. Through an analysis with Neuman’s Theoretic Framework, this article shall explore how these issue can be resolved through nutrition balance and different evaluation procedures that can address the diagnosis given.
A: Family Plan of Care.
According to Neuman’s work, a stressor is a force that affects the well-being of the patient. The stressor may be intrapersonal which are related to a person’s emotions and feelings ( McEwen & Wills, 2017) . In the family under study, it is clear that they are feeling stressed and anxious. Secondly, there is intrapersonal stress on the parents as they have demanding roles as the primary caregivers of three children. In terms of extra-personal stress, which is stress from the external environment, both the mother and father have anxieties about the work situation. This is mainly because the mother may lose her job in the near future as her employer just filed for bankruptcy. These stressors are creating complications in their health including high-blood pressure on the mother.
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The family’s lines of defense are clear. In the flexible line of defense is their sleep and nutrition. These two should keep them strong against their stressors. While they are getting enough sleep, it is unfortunate that their nutrition habits are not adequate. Notably, the family eats food with high sodium content that affects their bodies. In the normal line of defense, it is evident that the family is usually free of ailments. Even the mother who is now complaining about headaches is often strong.
The studied family has a clear line of resistance when their stressors invade or the lines of defense are weak. For instance, in case of intrapersonal stress such as anxiety, the come together, discuss it and work through it. This was the cases when their grandmother passed away. In time of interpersonal stress such as the uncertain employment status of the parent they also support each other. Another line of defense is seen when they fall sick due to poor nutritional habits and they use a special tea to nurse themselves. This analysis is an indicator that they are a strong family.
B: Diagnosis (NANDA format)
The diagnosis of this family is based on the nursing assessment done while visiting their homes. It started with and physical assessment of the mother who was complaining of recent headaches. This step was then followed with a social exam that revealed the family members’ role, anxieties and strengths and an observation of their life together. After the analysis, it led to a diagnosis written according to the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). The family is at risk for imbalanced nutrition and anxiety as evidenced by poor eating habits and uncertainty of future income sources.
C: Intervention by Prevention
The first step is primary prevention. Here, the family will be educated on better nutrition practices such as eating at regular times, taking a balance diet and supplementing it with water. Such information, guarantees health promotion and wellness maintenance. It is expected that they will use the information to fight imbalanced nutrition and make the bodies strong enough to deal with stress and anxiety.
The second approach is secondary prevention ( Denham, Eggenberger, Krumwiede & Young, 2016) . Here the Haitian family will be advised to deal with their stressor in a healthy way. Mainly, exercise will be used as a tool to supplement the family cohesion. While they support each other in time of anxiety, they can also use exercise to keep their bodies and minds strong through the trying process. This actually helps with imbalance nutrition because it assists with digestion and utilizing all the nutrients in the body as well.
Lastly, tertiary prevention will be encouraged against imbalanced nutrition and anxiety. Here, the family will receive set goals that will help them monitor their recovery. For instance, they will have a weekly chart of meals that they can reference and mark off once they eat the designated foods. Also, they will have regular check-ups to monitor their wellness.
D: Evaluation
For success, each of the intervention requires evaluation. For instance, in the primary intervention, the use of questions and monitoring change is the idea evaluation tool. The family should answer questions based on the education they receive and also show a change in their eating habits. In the secondary intervention, a chart can be used to monitor how regularly they exercise as an evaluation of how well they are accepting this solution to address their stressors. Lastly, how far the set goals are attained is the best assessment for the tertiary step. Through this various approached to evaluation, the family will get guidance on what areas need improvement for complete balance in the healing process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this African American family was extremely gracious because they were open to the advice given to them and they allowed me to assess their situation. Observing them has established how Neuman’s Theoretic Framework is a practical solution for health issues in society today. For this reason, it should be embraced in the nursing field to improve the quality of healthcare.
References
Denham, SA., Eggenberger, S., Krumwiede, N, & Young, P. (2016). Family-Focused Nursing Care. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2017). Theoretical basis for nursing . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
