Biomaterial Database

Potential for alterations in family process: when a family has a child with cystic fibrosis. 1991

S B Reed

University of North Carolina School of Nursing, Chapel Hill 27599.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease that has profound consequences on a family unit. As a genetically transmitted, chronic illness, it influences every aspect of family life, including time constraints, finances, and relationships among family members. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the cumulative effect of the nursing diagnoses related to the pathophysiology of CF on the nursing diagnosis, Potential for Alterations in Family Process, when a family has a child with cystic fibrosis. This nursing diagnosis was first recognized by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) in 1982. It is vital that nurses are able to differentiate between a family having difficulty coping with a child with CF in the home, and one that is coping well on its own. The children of families that are not coping well tend to be hospitalized more than those of families that are coping well. The families use the hospitalizations as rest periods for themselves. By recognizing the cues identified by NANDA of a family having problems, early intervention can be initiated before the family is in a crisis. The family must live with CF on a daily basis for the remainder of the child's life; therefore it must be able to function at its optimum level. It is nursing's responsibility to be able to recognize and assist the family in need. A knowledge of the nursing diagnosis, Alterations in Family Process, will assist nurses in fulfilling this obligation to the family.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009733	Nursing Diagnosis	Conclusions derived from the nursing assessment that establish a health status profile for the patient and from which nursing interventions may be ordered.	Diagnosis, Nursing,Diagnoses, Nursing,Nursing Diagnoses
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D003463	Cues	Signals for an action; that specific portion of a perceptual field or pattern of stimuli to which a subject has learned to respond.	Cue
D003550	Cystic Fibrosis	An autosomal recessive genetic disease of the EXOCRINE GLANDS. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRANSMEMBRANE CONDUCTANCE REGULATOR expressed in several organs including the LUNG, the PANCREAS, the BILIARY SYSTEM, and the SWEAT GLANDS. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by epithelial secretory dysfunction associated with ductal obstruction resulting in AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION; chronic RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS; PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY; maldigestion; salt depletion; and HEAT PROSTRATION.	Mucoviscidosis,Cystic Fibrosis of Pancreas,Fibrocystic Disease of Pancreas,Pancreatic Cystic Fibrosis,Pulmonary Cystic Fibrosis,Cystic Fibrosis, Pancreatic,Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary,Fibrosis, Cystic,Pancreas Fibrocystic Disease,Pancreas Fibrocystic Diseases
D005190	Family	A social group consisting of parents or parent substitutes and children.	Family Life Cycles,Family Members,Family Life Cycle,Family Research,Filiation,Kinship Networks,Relatives,Families,Family Member,Kinship Network,Life Cycle, Family,Life Cycles, Family,Network, Kinship,Networks, Kinship,Research, Family
D006701	Home Nursing	Nursing care given to an individual in the home. The care may be provided by a family member or a friend. Home nursing as care by a non-professional is differentiated from HOME CARE SERVICES provided by professionals: visiting nurse, home health agencies, hospital, or other organized community group.	Home Care, Non-Professional,Nursing, Home,Home Care, Nonprofessional,Care, Non-Professional Home,Care, Nonprofessional Home,Home Care, Non Professional,Non-Professional Home Care,Nonprofessional Home Care
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000223	Adaptation, Psychological	A state of harmony between internal needs and external demands and the processes used in achieving this condition. (From APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 8th ed).	Behavior, Adaptive,Healthy Adaptation,Positive Adaptation,Psychological Recovery,Adaptation, Psychologic,Adjustment,Psychological Adaptation,Adaptation, Healthy,Adaptation, Positive,Adaptive Behavior,Adaptive Behaviors,Healthy Adaptations,Positive Adaptations,Psychologic Adaptation,Psychological Recoveries,Recovery, Psychological
D015399	Nursing Research	Research carried out by nurses, generally in clinical settings, in the areas of clinical practice, evaluation, nursing education, nursing administration, and methodology.	Research, Nursing