Question

Consider the psycho-social impact on the family with a child with heart disease.

What are the 2 priority nursing diagnoses and the priority outcomes expected?

Describe the interventions you would do and rationales to achieve these goals.

Answer 1

1. The psychosocial impact on the family with a child with heart disease is negative. Studies revealed that the parents of these children have increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The health of the parents seems to decrease as the disease progresses and so the chance of getting long-term mental problems are at a peak. Siblings are also being greatly influenced psychologically by the illness and the parent's relationships also have seemed to be deteriorating. Researchers found out that all participating mothers had low social support when equated with fathers. Elements of lack of caregiving, lack of finances, mental stress and anguish could explain the difference in the availability of social support.