Family Assessment Essay Example for Free

Family Assessment Essay Gordon’s functional health patterns is a method developed by Marjory Gordon, a nursing theorist and professor. The functional health patterns are to be used during the nursing process to obtain a more comprehensive assessment. There are 11 functional health patterns to in place to create a comprehensive assessment. The functional health patterns are values and health perception and management, sleep/rest, nutrition, activity/exercise, elimination, cognitive-perceptual, role relationship, self perception, coping-stress tolerance, sexuality and religion. In this paper, I will discuss all of these functional health patterns as they pertain to my husbands perception of our family. Functional Health Patterns I interviewed my husband using Gordon’s functional health pattern guided questions. Miguel is a 41 year old father of four children, Trysten who is 6, Tyernen is 5, Lola is 3 and Eva who is 14 months old. Miguel has been married to Susan for 13 years. He has been running a household for the past 5 years at, taking on the newest role for men as a stay at home parent. The Health Perception–Health Management pattern involves health practices used to reach current level of health or wellness and the individuals actual health status. Questions should focus on the individuals perceived health status and meaning of health. During the assessment of this pattern, a nurse may unearth other patterns that may need to be explored. (Edelman) Rarely sick, Miguel goes to the doctor when necessary and is on Zoloft for anxiety. The kids have been to the doctor this year for their well check ups. Trysten is battling allergies, and just got over a sinus infection. Eva had an ear infection and is now teething. Tyernen had his tonsils out last year. Lola is relatively healthy and Susan just discovered she has been starting to get migraines and is trying different home remedies for these. Nutritional-metabolic patterns focus on the nutrient intake relative to metabolic need. This includes evidence of nutritional balance (physical examination) and reports and description of food and fluid consumption (history). (Edelman) Many meals are eaten out, fast food and restaurants are frequented. When foods are cooked at home, stews, steak, chicken cutlets, pastas, bread, and salads are usually made. Snacks include fruits and banana shakes he makes for the kids. He is overweight and states he knows so. The kids are healthier, and the parents make better choices for them then they do for themselves. Susan is, too, overweight. A very important factor when assessing the sleep-rest pattern is the perception of getting an adequate amount of relaxation and sleep. If the individual reports energy levels waning or fatigue this may provide some indication of the individuals satisfaction. People have their own ideas about the roles that rest and sleep play in preparing the individual for desired or required daily activities. This pattern becomes extremely important when sleep and rest are reported as insufficient because it effects other aspects in the assessment. (Edelman) Miguel states that he has trouble sleeping and is often tired the next day. He states â€Å"the doctor ordered a sleep study for my sleep apnea I’m sure I have, but I never go. † Children sleep well through the night, approximately 10 hours. Susan just switch from working night shift to day shift, and is flipping her schedule around. Elimination patterns include bladder, skin and bowel function. Nurses ask the patient about regularity, quality, and quantity of stool and urine through reports from the individual any changes or perceived problems and about methods used to get regularity or control. Perspiration quantity and quality determine excretory skin function. (Edelman) In regards to his bathroom habits, he states he goes regularly. Miguels skin is clear, some dryness on elbows and knees noted. Hair and nails look healthy and clean. Children have normal patterns and skin is clear no dryness. Susan has drier skin, states bathroom needs are normal. The activity-exercise focuses on activity level, regular exercise program, and leisure time activities. Physical and subjective assessments include movement capability, activity tolerance, use of assistive devices, self-care ability, satisfaction with activity and exercise patterns, and any perceived problems. (Edelman) With the 4 children, he does get out and play with the kids, but there is no regular exercise routine. The children play everyday outside, wether in the park or in the yard. Susan doesn’t have a regular exercise program either. Cognitive patterns are the ability of the individual to understand and follow directions, make decisions, solve problems, retain information and use language appropriately. Auditory, olfactory, visual, gustatory, tactile, and kinesthetic sensations and perceptions impact the perceptual and sensory patterns. (Edelman) Cognitively, Miguel reads the news online and utilizes the internet to write to his family in Argentina. English is his second language, and he does need assistance expressing himself every once in a while. He does wear glasses, but they are more for driving needs. Children are developmentally on target for their respective ages. Susan is working full time, taking on line courses and running a home with the help of her husband. The sense of each individuals personal identity, emotional patterns, goals, and feelings about the self is the self perception pattern. Self-image and sense of worth come from the individuals perception of personal appearance, limitations, and competencies, including the individuals self-perception and others perceptions. (Edelman) Miguel wants to go back to school, but his family is first. At this time, he is at home, allowing his wife to continue her education to better their situation. He feels trapped at times, wants to go back to work. He wants to go to the gym, but his children are more important at this time. He reads to better his knowledge base and fixes the cars, thriving on a bargain when it is found. Again, children seem to be on with their developemental milestones. Susan is having trouble with her physical appearance. Though she projects a confident persona, she is uncomfortable with how she looks at this time. Roles-relationships pattern describes the identity the individual assumes with in a social group and how they interact with others with in that social group and how they are connected. The individuals perception is a large component of the assessment, as is the individuals subjective level of satisfaction with the roles and relationships they are in. (Edelman) Miguel states â€Å"I am a daddy, husband, and a friend. † He describes himself in his roles, â€Å"daddy† being the most important to him. The childrens role are still being determined due to the fact they are so young. Trysten is big brother to all and best friend to daddy. Tyernen is a big brother and in competition with Trysten all the time, though it seems to make them want to be better. Tyernen favors his mother, but jokes around often with daddy. Lola seems to have taken on the role of trouble maker, and Eva is following her footsteps. Susan has taken on the role of mother, breadwinner, student, and nurse (not in any specific order). She tends to lead the family, get everyone moving. The sexuality-reproductive pattern is defined by the individuals sexual functioning, sexual self-concept, methods of intimacy, and reproductive areas. The importance of sexuality to the individuals life and health is related to the relationship and self-perception patterns. Body image, gender identity and role are linked to sexual identity. Sexual functioning involves, but is not limited to, sexual relations with a partner. (Edelman) Miguel and Susan have not been physically intimate in a long while. Either one of them remember the last time. This is mostly due to Susan’s self-perception/body image and the busy lives that are being lead. Miguel has expressed more than once that the physical aspect of their shared sexuality is unsatisfying. The ability to manage stress in life is a learned behavior. Stress is an inevitable part of life; without it there is no motivation to grow. Most stress comes from minor irritations that build over time, not great tragedies. Edelman) There are many stressors affecting this family. Four young childrens’ demands, being in Arizona when we would prefer to be in New York, working full time, going back to school, staying home with the kids, many many stressors are impacting the lives of the two parents. For the most part, the stress is handled well, though we both seem to be r eaching for food too often and may need to re evaluate our coping mechanisms so it doesn’t impact the childrens learned coping mechanisms. The values-beliefs pattern is defined as the individuals goals, spiritual values and beliefs. Each of the 11 health patterns addresses the value systems of individuals, family, and society. Individual values or beliefs develop over time and guides the individuals life through societal influences and personal experiences with family. (Edelman) There is no firm religious influence in the home. The family is valued, belief in building a strong base for the children to grow. After compiling the data from the assessment of the family discussed in the paragraphs above, some nursing diagnosis that would be appropriate would be: Altered Nutrition more than body requirements related to using food as a coping mechanism. Sexual dysfunction related to change in body or self-image. Ineffective coping related to inadequate coping method. In conclusion, the functional health patterns gave me a better idea of what is happening in my family and how it is effecting my husband and our relationship. There is always an aspect of the health patterns that can be improved upon within a family, it is the nurses job when assessing to be thorough and helpful.

america sucess or failure Essay -- essays papers

america sucess or failure America-success or failure is a broad topic. This question can be looked at differently from the multi-cultural races that make up America. The most likely theory is America is a success, but with continual change and improvement, she can become more. To prove this theory we will discuss essential events, from past to present that will champion this theory. The period we will cover is from the 1950’s to present day. The political mood, social changes, and domestic situations brought forth many changes in American history. To define America’s success, civil rights comes to the forefront. America has had a long history of racial and unequal rights division amongst its diverse ethnic groups. During the 1950’s, severe treatment of African Americans was very noticeable. Slavery may not exist today, but brutal treatment of blacks continued. Discrimination was a way of life for white America. The South may have lost the war but the battle continued. And Black Americans during these times were less then men in the eyes of many White Americans. Education changed many of the views of White Americans, and the will of certain Black Americans who, regardless of the consequences, were tired of being citizens but not equal. ‘In September 1946 President Harry Truman met with a group of African American leaders to discuss the steps that needed to be taken to achieve their goals. They asked for support of a Federal Anti-Lynching law, abolish a poll tax as a voting requirement, and establish a permanent board to prevent discriminatory practices in hiring. Congress refused to address any of these concerns.’(America Pathways to the Present) It is hard to believe such issues existed in America with such a large multi-racial representation as we have. However, momentum carried Civil Rights forward and brave people like Rosa Parks and Martin L. King brought attention to the wrongs that were being committed. These heroic acts met with violence from America. Technology was key in changing public opinion when this violence came into the living rooms of neutral Americans. Black unity grew and white support continues to grow. The dramatic turning point according to this theory was Martin L. King’s march on the capital and his famous speech â€Å"I have a Dream†. This event was the largest public protest against discrimination and t... ..., lesbian, and bisexual people to serve openly in the U.S. military, a 19-point jump from 1997. (NGLTF Policy Institute Report From Wrongs to Rights, PG 12.) The fact that the gay and lesbian community has made progressive accomplishment is proof that America is succeeding. Twenty years ago the mere mention of this could ruin a person’s life or career. With time and education the Gay and Lesbian community is gaining equal rights, but improvement is always needed. Many measures have been taken to block Gay and Lesbian rights for example a religious activist group failed in its efforts to place initiatives attacking the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community on the November ballot in four Michigan communities this week. Initiatives failed to make the ballot in Royal Oak, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Traverse City, while the results of a similar attempt in a fifth city, Grand Ledge, was not known.’ (NGLTF Policy Institute Report From Wrongs to Rights, P g. 14) America is not perfect, but there is nothing to compare it with in the world. I hope that for the sake of our next generation who will inherit this country we will have and even greater success to speak about.

Hypothesis through research Essay

Introduction This investigation aims to find the value of Young’s Modulus for a specific material, in this case nylon fishing line. Young’s Modulus (E) is a measure of a material’s stiffness, determined by the formula: The standard unit of measure for Young’s Modulus is the pascal (Pa). 1 pascal is the same measure as 1 Nm-2 (Nm being Newton Metre). A material always retains the same Young’s Modulus value regardless of how much it is stretched or strained, and this should be revealed in this investigation by gathering a definite value of the modulus for nylon. Hypothesis Through research that I conducted before starting the investigation, I have determined that the correct Young’s Modulus value of Nylon lies in the range 1-7GPa (the large range being due to different make-ups of Nylon with it being a compound). I should therefore be looking at achieving a final result within or very close to this range. Since stress is proportionate to strain in the Young’s Modulus formula, and the modulus value remains the same, I would expect the value of stress and strain to proportionally increase with each other. Experiment Plan In order to carry out this investigation into the value of Young’s Modulus of nylon, I will conduct an experiment to gather the values of stress and strain when increasing force is added to the material, and will take readings as weight increases until the breaking point of the nylon is reached. In order to calculate stress and strain, I will need to record each of the following variables throughout the experiment: Force applied to the material [F] (Newtons/N) Area of a cross-section of the material [A] (Metres-squared/m2). Original length of the material [Lo] (Metres/m) Amount of extension when the force is applied [L] (Metres/m) These variables will then allow the values of stress and strain to be calculated using the following formulas: This leads to a final Young’s Modulus calculation formula of: The set-up I will be using to carry out this experiment consists of the nylon fishing line suspended from a stand using a clamp, and another clamp to ensure there is no movement in the stand itself. I will create a suitable loop at the bottom of the hanging material so that weights can be added but will need to ensure this loop does not weaken any area of the material and cause a drop in the breaking point value, as this would compromise the reliability of my experiment and result in premature breakage of the length of nylon. At each stage of the experiment I will take readings of length using a standard 1m ruler, and will measure the area of a cross section by gathering the diameter value using a micrometer, halving this value to gather radius and then use the formula. Before any weights are added, I will need to take a control measurement of the length and area of the nylon before any stress or strain is applied. Once this is done I will proceed to apply weight in intervals of 100g (0. 981 N) and record the values of each variable stated at bottom of the previous page after each 100g weight is added, with the exception of original length which is a constant value and only needs to be recorded at the beginning of the experiment. I will continue to add weights until the material reaches its elastic limit and snaps, at which point I will record the force applied to break the object. In order to achieve an adequate number of results from each experiment to make a fair analysis and conclusion to the investigation, I will need to take a minimum of eight readings (i. e the nylon should withstand at least 800g/7. 849N). If this fails in the actual experiment then I will need to re-evaluate my plan and decide on a new method of conducting the experiment to meet this criteria. To increase reliability, accuracy and to eliminate possible anomalous results, I will aim to repeat the entire experiment three times to gather average readings.

Death of a Loved One Essay

Devastating occurrences have the ability to completely alter the ways in which you live your life. When these certain situations occur, you have two choices: You can let them destroy you, or you can let them strengthen you. My outlook on life was completely changed when my kind hearted grandmother passed away when I was just a child. I was struck with the realization that life can be taken away in an instant and I need to cherish every moment I have left I this world. In early November of 2006, I was sitting in my choir class listening to my teacher describe the scene a horrific car accident she witnessed the day before. As she was explaining the details of the accident, I was feeling little pangs of sorrow for the victims who were unable to walk away injury free. As we carried on with our class, I couldn’t help but think about how miserable their family and friends must be feeling at that exact moment, they didn’t even see it coming. I soon shook the thoughts from my head and made my way to my next class. While walking down the hallway, I feel my newly purchased flip phone vibrate in my purse and the text I receive from my mother was rather unsettling: Honey, I have some bad news. Â  I reply back asking her what she was talking about, and although I was a little nervous, I didn’t try to dwell on it too much. I only assumed that she wasn’t going to buy me a new pair of Buckle jeans that I was eyeing at the time, so I swallowed my disappointment, and carried on with my morning. Thoughts of not owning those beautiful pair jean were going through my head as my phone vibrates with another text that made me stop dead in my tracks: Grandma was in an accident today. She’s in the hospital with severe injuries and they think she has brain damage. A wave of emotions washed over me and my mind couldn’t stop racing. I always heard about this sort of thing happening to people I didn’t know, people I didn’t care about. Never in a million years did I imagine that my own grandmother would be put in this situation. For once in my life, I was completely speechless. Over the next couple weeks, my grandma’s progress was a roller coaster. Some days she was barely able to open her eyes and move her fingers, and other days she was motionless. One day the swelling in her brain would worsen and the next day it would decrease. There weren’t any clear answers explaining if she was going to be okay or not. We were all holding on dearly to a sense of hope that was keeping us together. Towards the last couple days of her life, my grandma’s progress seemed to have gotten better. The swelling in her brain had decreased a great amount and I was told that it was very possible that she would be able to recover. A wave of a relief washed over me and the grasp I had on hope tightened. I truly believed that she would recover and we would have our caring, loving grandma with us again. The thoughts of her recovery were clogging my mind and I completely forgot that even though there was indeed the possibility of her recovery, the possibility of her death was still apparent. On November 28th, I was woken up by my mother and father informing me that my grandma had passed away that morning. Initially, I didn’t feel any sort of emotion. I was stuck in a daze that I couldn’t get out of. Part of me even believed that this was all a dream, and that I was going to wake up with her smiling face still in this world. Throughout the day, the numb feeling went away, and was replaced with sadness and sorrow. I replayed every memory I had with her in my head while hot, salty tears ran down my cheeks. In that moment, I would have given anything to have her alive and well, baking Christmas cookies with me like we did every year. She didn’t deserve to die and we didn’t deserve to feel this pain. Deep down I knew she was in a better place, a place where she wouldn’t have to feel the pain she felt in this world before she passed. This thought alone helped me and many others get over the fact that we lost our dear grandma. They always say that you need to live your life the fullest; you never know when your time is up. My grandma was the perfect example of a barely 60 year old woman who’s last years of her life were cut short. She made sure that she lived every day to its full potential, and she cherished every moment. Ever since the morning that she died, I made a promise to myself to never let a day go by where I don’t appreciate and love the life I live. Although life is difficult, it is still so very beautiful.

Hamlet And T.S. Eliot Essays - Characters In Hamlet, Eliot Family

Hamlet And T.S. Eliot Essays - Characters In Hamlet, Eliot Family Hamlet And T.S. Eliot Over time many opinions have been formed about William Shakespeares work Hamlet. Yet through the quagmire of confusion surrounding the tragedy none have spoken than T.S. Eliot. Eliot sees hamlet as somewhat of an artistic failure due to its confusion between the main plot and the main character. In his analysis Eliot recalls the work of other authors who have talked the subject of Hamlet. He states that many authors connect with Hamlet and dont come to realize their own creative potential. These men come to think of the drama as a classic and therefore see it as an extension of there own artistic ability. Eliot also realizes that in the case of Hamlet interpretation is futile and that only criticism is relevant. Interpretation comes with a certain understanding of the nature of the work and a basis on the history surrounding the tragedy. Through searching and digging many scholars have found the historical relevance behind Hamlet, but Eliots belief is that the public as a whole was to be left ignorant of this information and in turn was not meant to fully understand the full scope of the play. Eliots idea is valid and it has many good points, but I tend to disagree with him. It is true that much of the story line in Hamlet is confusing and that the emphasis shifts numerous times from the actual plot to the actions of the main character, but I find that to be what draws me towards the story. The play is time less to me, but not for this time. For those people who lived in the Elizabethan era it may have been a little more straightforward, but to us it seems to have lost its hold and our understanding.

Idioms About Distance

Idioms About Distance Idioms About Distance Idioms About Distance By Mark Nichol The English language, rich with idiom, is replete with colorful words and phrases about measurement of distance. Here is a look at some of those expressions, roughly in order of the magnitude of the length being referred to. Colloquial phrases about distances include hairbreadth, referring, as the word indicates, to the thickness of a hair with the connotation of coming within an infinitesimal distance of doing something. The closing of this compound word, first known to have been used in the early 1600s, is unusual, as is the insertion of the plural s in the middle of the plural form: hairsbreadth. Similarly, one can refer to doing something â€Å"by a whisker.† One can also say that that a room or other place is so small, one could not swing a cat in the confined space. Two idioms that do not refer to literal distance but include figurative references to distance follow: To express that someone is not trustworthy, one can write or say, â€Å"I don’t trust [someone] any farther than I can throw him† (or her). To indicate that one does not want to get close to an object or a subject, one can refer to not wanting to touch something or someone with a ten-foot pole- or, rarely, a barge pole (referring to a long pole used to propel a barge, a long, flat boat used for hauling freight or debris, by pushing the pole’s end against the shallow bottom of the waterway). A small but more extensive distance might be described as a hop, skip, and a jump or spitting distance (not to be confused with the much more intimate striking distance, denoting sufficient proximity to hit someone or something), though these expressions refer to more than the literal distance, likely even more than â€Å"a stone’s throw†- literally, the distance one can throw a rock of indeterminate size. Meanwhile, something right in one’s backyard is no great distance. Many people are familiar with the expression â€Å"Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,† attributed to various American officers during the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War. This admonition to withhold musket fire until the targeted enemy is close enough for a sure shot that justifies the use of precious ammunition had been used repeatedly in various forms for several decades before that conflict, however, and originated with a Swedish king in the early 1600s. It never achieved popular usage, though, even as a figurative expression. An expression from the American South refers to how many looks away a destination is; this term denotes how many landmarks one must look for before arriving. (â€Å"Turn right at the church, then, when you come to a big stump right next to the road, take the next left turn, and it’s right past the creek crossing† represents three or four looks, depending on whether the left turn after the stump counts as a look.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Types and Forms of Humor15 Types of DocumentsWhat the Heck are "Peeps"?

Marx Communist Ideals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marx Communist Ideals - Essay Example In chapter I, Bourgeois and Proletarians, one is advised to go through the pages of human history. According to communist philosophy, it is the history of class struggles. One finds the pairs of opposites at all levels and in all segments of the society. Whether slave or the master, serf and lord, plebeian and patrician, they are constantly engaged in mind-war situations. The hidden grudge exists against each other at all times. The oppressed class is weak in financial resources to fight back. It is unable to challenge the capitalists at will. We know from history that when such fights on a large scale occurred, they resulted in a revolutionary reconstruction of the society, and the upper classes faced the total ruin, many lost their lives or forced to give up their wealthy possessions. The subordinate gradations of the society challenged the upper classes. (Mark’s Communist Party Manifesto-1848) In any given period, including the present era of technological and internet revo lutions, a clear cut division exists in the society— Bourgeoisie and Proletariat. The bourgeoisie is clever to adapt to changed circumstances and convert them to its advantage. Its adventurism of profitability and limitless aggrandizement for wealth goes on unabated. Capitalism has done irreparable damage to established national values and national industries and the process continues even now. It denudes the human being, robs him of the values and sentiments, and chisels a production unit out of him. It bears enormous stress on his mental faculties in the game of fierce competition, where marketing of the products is the ultimate goal, no matter how one does it! A sadistic joy erupts in the business circles by throwing the other man (the competitor) out of the ring. Artificial wants are being created, which in fact are damaging to the health of an individual. Workers are driven to the wall, trade unionism becomes their option to seek their rights, management becomes their sw orn enemy and they believe that the unions need to be at permanent war with the management on one pretext or the other. National level union leaders are on record to say, that they are not concerned with the productivity and it is the sole business of the management how to get it from the workers. Management also devises new strategies to challenge the working style of the unions. In the process, both have unleashed powers, which they are unable to control, without inflicting self-damage. A worker no more finds charm in his work; he is just a screw of the machine that he operates. His future depends on the volatility and mood of the market and he is totally at its mercy. The recent recession is a glaring example. When the market tumbled, the demand for the goods crashed, several millions workers were rendered jobless. Let the American Constitution swear by capitalism and the concept of free society. The story and discussions contained in the two books, The Grapes of Wrath by John St einbeck and Waiting for Lefty (a drama) by Clifford Odets, unfold the ground realities in the country. The writings of Odets are one of commitment to Communist ideology, his Leftist leanings are no hidden agenda, he is quite blatant about his convictions, and he has depicted the conditions obtaining in the American Society of 1930s. He has provided an able dramatic presentation of the social injustices which is the root cause for an