4.9 Learning Activities

Family Dynamics and Patient Care^[1]

Case Study:
Mr. James Carter, a 68-year-old retired teacher, is admitted to the hospital following a mild stroke. His wife, Mrs. Susan Carter, has been his primary caregiver for the past five years, as he also has a history of hypertension and early-stage dementia. Their daughter, Emily, visits occasionally but lives out of state. Their son, David, lives nearby but has a strained relationship with his father and rarely visits.

During Mr. Carter’s hospital stay, the nurse observes that Mrs. Carter appears exhausted and overwhelmed. She expresses concern about managing his care at home and hesitates when discussing discharge plans. Emily, who is present via video call, insists that her mother should continue caregiving, while David remains disengaged from the conversation. The nurse notes signs of caregiver strain in Mrs. Carter and considers interventions to support both the patient and family.

Please utilize the above case study information to answer the questions below.

1. What type of family structure does the Carter family represent?
   a) Nuclear family
   b) Extended family
   c) Blended family
   d) Traditional family

2. Which nursing intervention best addresses Mrs. Carter’s caregiver strain?
   a) Encouraging Mrs. Carter to rest and continue managing care at home
   b) Educating Emily on long-distance caregiving strategies and resources
   c) Suggesting that David be forced to take a more active caregiving role
   d) Ignoring the issue since caregiver strain is common and expected

3. David’s lack of involvement in his father’s care is an example of:
   a) Positive family dynamics
   b) Role conflict within the family
   c) A functional caregiving system
   d) Effective role delegation

4. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take regarding family dynamics in Mr. Carter’s case?
   a) Facilitate a family meeting to discuss care responsibilities and available support services
   b) Tell Emily that her mother should not be forced into caregiving
   c) Advise Mrs. Carter to stop voicing concerns and focus on her husband’s needs
   d) Ignore the family situation and focus solely on Mr. Carter’s medical care

5. What role does Emily play in the family dynamic regarding Mr. Carter’s care? (Short Answer)

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