The parent of an adolescent diagnosed with mental illness asks the nurse, "Why do you want to do a family assessment? My teenager is the patient, not the rest of us." Select the nurse's best response.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The identified patient usually bears most of the family system's anxiety and may have come to the attention of parents, teachers, or law enforcement because of poor coping skills. The correct response helps the family understand that the opinions of each will be valued. It allows the nurse to assess individual coping and prepares the family for the experience of working together to set goals and solve problems. The other responses are either incorrect or evasive.

The Parent of an Adolescent Diagnosed with Mental Illness Asks