CASE # 5: ABOUT FAMILY HEALTH RISK
The M. family consists of Mr. M. (Harry), Mrs. M. (Shirley), 18-year-old Annie, 15-year-old Michelle,
13-year-old Sean, and 7-year-old Bobby. Harry is the pastor of Faith Baptist Church, where he has
served for the past 15 years. Shirley is a housemother and is the primary caretaker for the children.
For the past year, Shirley has felt tired and “rundown.” At her annual physical, Shirley describes her
symptoms to her physician. After several tests, Shirley is diagnosed with stomach cancer. Shirley starts
to cry and says, “How will I tell my family?”
Shirley’s primary physician refers the family to Trisha F., a mental health nurse specialist. Nurse Trisha
calls the household and speaks to Shirley. Nurse Trisha tells Shirley that she was referred by the
physician, and she can help Shirley cope with the diagnosis. Shirley confides in Trisha that it has been 2
weeks since she received the diagnosis, but she has yet to tell her husband and children. Shirley asks
Trisha if she can help her tell her family and explain what it all means. Nurse Trisha makes an
appointment to go to the M. household and facilitate the family meeting.
Questions
1. Use the five interacting variables (physiological, psychological, sociocultural,
developmental, and spiritual) of the Neuman Systems Model to assess the
family’s ability to adapt to this life event. Think of one question Nurse Trisha
can ask the family regarding each variable.
I can provide you with some guidance on how to facilitate the family meeting and support the M.
family during this difficult time. Here are some suggestions:
2. Prepare for the meeting: Before the meeting, Nurse Trisha should prepare by reviewing
Shirley's medical records and familiarizing herself with the specifics of Shirley's
diagnosis and treatment plan. She should also be prepared to answer questions about the
diagnosis and treatment process. It may be helpful to bring informational materials to
share with the family.
3. Create a safe and supportive environment: Nurse Trisha should create a comfortable and
supportive environment for the family meeting. She should make sure everyone is seated
comfortably and has access to water or other refreshments. She should also create a space
where the family feels safe to express their emotions and ask questions.
4. Start with empathy: When Nurse Trisha first meets with the family, she should start by
acknowledging their feelings and expressing empathy for the situation. She could say
something like, "I'm so sorry to hear about Shirley's diagnosis. I know this is a difficult
time for all of you."
5. Explain the diagnosis and treatment plan: Nurse Trisha should explain Shirley's diagnosis
and treatment plan in clear, understandable language. She should answer any questions
the family may have and provide them with informational materials to review on their
own.
6. Encourage communication: Nurse Trisha should encourage the family to communicate
openly with each other about their feelings and concerns. She could suggest that they
schedule regular family meetings to discuss Shirley's treatment and how everyone is
coping.
7. Provide emotional support: Nurse Trisha should provide emotional support to the family
throughout the meeting and beyond. She could suggest resources such as support groups
or counseling services to help the family cope with the diagnosis.
8. Follow up: Nurse Trisha should follow up with the family after the meeting to see how
they are doing and offer additional support if needed. She could also schedule regular
check-ins to monitor Shirley's progress and the family's well-being.
9. Overall, the key to facilitating a successful family meeting in this situation is to provide
empathy, information, and emotional support to the M. family. With Nurse Trisha's
guidance and support, the family can work together to cope with Shirley's diagnosis and
support her throughout her treatment.
Use the five interacting variables (physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental,
and spiritual) of the Neuman Systems Model to assess the family’s ability to adapt to this life
event. Think of one question Nurse Trisha can ask the family regarding each variable.
Sure, here are some questions that Nurse Trisha can ask the family regarding each variable of the
Neuman Systems Model:
1. Physiological Variable: How is Shirley feeling physically, and what are her current
symptoms? Is she experiencing any side effects from her treatment? Are there any
