Chapter V FAMILY COPING INDEX In this chapter, the ability of the family to cope up with stresses, whether physical,

emotional, and social, is measured. It is also presented in this chapter on how they cope to these stressors or changes. This also provides the basis of estimating the nursing need of the family. Their nursing need is present when there are health problems which they are unable to cope and that there is a reasonable likelihood that nursing will make a difference in the familys ability to cope.

Criteria 1. Physical Independence

Ideal All family members whether or not there is infirmity or disability in one of its members are receiving the necessary care to maintain cleanliness, including skin care, are about to get as far as

Actual All family members are able to move and perform daily activities with the capability in accordance to their age.
Mr. and

Rating 4

Justification All family members are able to perform activities of daily living in accordance to their capability as what is expected from them at their age. However, the skin of the family is dry

Mrs. P are independent in performing personal

possible within their physical abilities; are receiving assistance when needed without interruption or undue delay.

hygiene and daily grooming. However, their skin is not properly taken care of. They have lesions on their dry skin as well as scars which are mostly present on the lower extremities and some on the upper extremities. The children are able to perform daily activities with less supervision.

and has some scars which indicate improper skin care. Therefore, the family is partially able to provide the needs of its members.

2. Therapeutic Competence

Family members are able to demonstrate that the members can carry out the

The family is able to carry out needed treatments for some of the

The family is partially able to support the health needs of some family
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prescribed procedures safety and efficiently, with the understanding of the principle involved and willing attitude.

illnesses that occur in the family. Though they have financial constraints, they attend to their health needs because they believe in their principle that health is wealth. The family is willing to work hard in order to provide these needs.

members because of inadequate financial resources and lack of information about proper health management.

The couple took care or assist whoever is sick in the family by providing over-thecounter drugs and utilize herbal medicines
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present in their backyard depending on the illness or manifestations being experienced and presented by a family member. The family also tries medicine without any particular prescription. They sometimes go to traditional hilots before they will bring a sick member of the family to the barangay 3. Knowledge of Health Condition Knows the salient facts about the disease well enough to take necessary action health center. The family understands that health is important for every family member. 2 The family doesnt have enough knowledge in identifying some
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at the proper time, understands the rationale of care, able to report significant symptoms.

However, there are times when they do not follow proper action at a specific situation since they admit that they somehow lack the ability to identify illness.
They

illnesses and how to manage it with prompt and proper action. They take their illness for granted and are not aware of what could be the cause of that certain disease and its consequences if not treated immediately.

practice selfmedication and they do not treat the illness at an early stage since they only let it to cure by itself. Mrs. P claimed that there are times when they take their illness for granted and do not have

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4. Application of Principles of General Hygiene

Household runs smoothly, family meals well selected, habits of rest and sleep adequate to needs, securing adequate rest and relaxation for family members, carrying out accepted preventive measures.

prompt action. The family eats three times a day, with meals usually consist of rice and vegetables. However, Mrs. P had claimed that sometimes, they lack rice due to financial constraints. Sometimes, they have fish for all meals as according to the couple is cheaper. Their utensils are placed in a plastic container with no cover which are all exposed to air.

The family, though they do hygienic practices, it is observed to fail in the correct principles of proper hygiene. They take a bath and practices handwashing before and after eating. However, the soap they have is not being used properly and its container is not clean. They also fail the principles of preparing their meals such as the storage of the utensils and water. The
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 They practice handwashing before and after eating. Mrs. P claimed that they do not boil their water before drinking which they store in gallons with covers and are not cleaned properly. Mrs. P believes that all of them, the household members, are able to receive adequate rest and sleep. Since they doesnt have the electricity and appliances to play, they go

water they use to drink which comes from the pipe system is not boiled and its containers, though have covers, are not cleaned properly. They do not experience any problems in their sleep and rest patterns. They also practice burning garbages which is a threat to their health.

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to sleep as early as 7:30 in the evening and wakes up at around 5:00 to 6:00 in the morning since the children have their classes, Mr. P has his work, and Mrs. P needs to take care of them too. They consider walking as a form of exercise which they believe is healthy for them which is added by the fresh air they are able to breathe in. They take a bath and wash their clothes in a water facility
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approximately ten (10) meters away from their house. The type of toilet facility they have is pit privy which use in order for them to urinate and defecate which is located approximately five (5) meters away from their house. It only has walls because they were not able to construct it with roof. The family do not have a drainage system. The water which they use from washing their
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dishes is thrown directly on the ground outside the house. They are used to burn their garbage. Their garbage container has no cover and they do not practice 5. Health Attitudes Understands and recognizes need for medical care in illness and for the usual preventive services, arranges for periodic physical appraisals and follows through with recommendation, accepts illness calmly and recognizes the limits it imposes recycling. All the children were able to comply all the necessary doses of immunization during their appropriate age. They had their immunization at the Barangay Health Center in Olympog as Mrs. P claimed 3 The family accepts health care in some degree but with reservation. They first seek the help of traditional hilots during common illnesses other than seeking consultation from a physician and they also
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while doing all possible to effect recovery and rehabilitation.

that she believes in the importance of having complete immunization to become a defense mechanism on ceratin diseases for she was able to attend to some lectures conducted by random health officers in the barangay. Mr. P drinks alcoholic beverages in moderation which Mr. P claimed to be more than 2 glasses of alcoholic beverage including tuba in a month. Mr. P

believe in superstitions. They have a good indication of having the children with complete immunization. Mr. P only drinks alcoholic beverages in moderation and admitted that he does not do this with abuse. It is also good that no household member practice cigarette smoking.

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admitted that he do this only as a form of relaxation from work or stress and it is also a way for him to get along or socialize with other people as well. No one in the household smokes cigarette. They practice selfmedication and uses overthe-counter medicines in treating common illnesses. They seek help from traditional hilots in their community. They also use herbal plants
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present in their garden. Most of the time, if they would assess that the sickness they experience is tolerable, they dont mind it and would rather take a rest.
They also

have some superstitious beliefs such as the presence of spirits in the surroundings that cannot be seen by the naked eye but have the capability to inflict harm to people if they wanted or if they will destroy their homes.
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6. Emotional Competence

All members of the family are able to maintain a reasonable degree of emotional calm, face up to illness realistically and hopefully; able to discuss problems and differences with objectivity and reasonable emotional control; considers the needs and wishes of other family members, of neighbors and those with whom they work and live making decisions or deciding upon action.

There are no current conflicts among the members of the family. However, they claimed to have conflicts between Mr. and Mrs. P. They viewed and perceived it as normal among family members and since their family is closely tied, they practice not to keep conflicts for so long. Before the day ends, they try to resolve everything and reconcile to people involved. They

The family is able to face problems or stressors in their lives calmly with the aid of one another. Together, they discuss and find solutions to it and never let a day passes by without fixing things out.

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make it easy by communicatin g properly and discuss matters needed to be 7. Family Living Family does things together, each member acts for the good of the family as a whole; children respect parents and vice versa; family tasks shared, evidence of planning. discussed. The family lives harmoniously in general. the children respects their parents and the couples love their children as well. They do not encounter any acts of violence in their house. Mr. and Mrs. P help one another when they have small problems and try to solve it first before
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The family has great love and respect to one another as evidenced by their treatment to one another. Acts of violence are not present in their house. They maximize their income by budgeting it properly in order to provide the familys basic needs.

arguing. Mr. and Mrs. P both share the power of decisionmaking in terms of money or budget, as well as in the matters of health care. Their estimated monthly income is P3,000. This is allocated for food, clothing, gas, tuition, and allowances. The ones responsible in budgeting or how the money will be spent is the couple. Mr. and Mrs. P
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already had decided that as much as possible, they will avoid borrowing money from other people unless there will come a time that their income would be insufficient and they will be needing a sum of money in a case of a health concern or of an 8. Physical Environment House is in good repair; provides for privacy and is free of accidents and pest hazards; neighborhood respectable and provided with recreational facilities for emergency. Family P has an ordinary type of house which is tenanted and stands on a rolling type of land. Their house is constructed with walls 3 The familys house needs to be repaired to provide protection to the family and avoid potential risks for injury and accidents. They also have breeding
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children; free from undesirable social elements; opportunities for community activity.

made of bamboo tied together and covered with a thatched roof using nipa leaves. There are parts of the house without walls which Mrs. P admitted that when it rains heavily, water enters. They have a small terrace infront of the house made also with bamboo and other types of wood. Their house is divided into terrace, dirty kitchen, dining area, and bedroom. In order to get into the terrace

sites for flies and mosquitoes. They live near a cliff which they knew could be dangerous especially for the children when playing.

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and the bedroom, one must climb an improvised three-step stairs made of wood by which Mrs. P admitted that it could be dangerous for their children. Mrs. P claimed that they have enough space in their house for the six (6) household members. When they sleep, Mr. and Mrs. P together with their youngest child, P6, are on one side of the bedroom while P3, P4, and P5 are on the other side.
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They do not have the bed so they sleep directly on the floor made of stable bamboo with mats on it. Aside from being a sleeping area, their bedroom also contains their clothes placed in cartons. The family does not have any appliances since they do not have the electricity. The only gadget they have is a cellphone. They make use of their dirty kitchen for cooking. They utilize wood and gas
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to produce fire. The source of their water comes from a pipe system which they consider their own. Mrs. P claimed that they do not boil their water before drinking which they store in gallons with covers and are not cleaned properly. They take a bath and wash their clothes in a water facility approximately ten (10) meters away from their house.
The type of

toilet facility they have is pit privy which

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use in order for them to urinate and defecate which is located approximately five (5) meters away from their house. It only has walls because they were not able to construct it with roof. The family do not have a drainage system. The water which they use from washing their dishes is thrown directly on the ground outside the house. They are used to burn their garbage. Their garbage
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container has no cover and they do not practice recycling. There are other water containers outside their house with no covers and could be a possible breeding sites of vectors of diseases. Mrs. P said that there are mosquitoes and flies present in their place. They do not have nearby neighborhoods . They need to walk approximately fifty (50) meters in order to get
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into another house. They are surrounded only with plants and a cliff nearby. Other facilities like basketball court, church, and school are all located at the Sentro which they need to walk a long distance before 9. Use of Community Facilities Family uses the facilities they need appropriately and promptly. Knows when and whom to call for help. Feels secure in their relationship with community workers such as reaching them. Mrs. P admitted that they are not active members of their church and they do not have any organizations which are present in their community; 3 The family is aware of and uses some, but not all of the available community resources that they need considering the distance from their house to the
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social workers, teachers, doctors, etc.

however, she claimed that they participate in every activity their community organizes. They join and participate during community meetings and assemblies. They had their immunization at the Barangay Health Center in Olympog.
She was

Sentro and to Barangay Health Center.

able to attend to some lectures conducted by random health officers in the barangay. They go to the Barangay
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Health Center in Olympog.

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