Core Concepts of Patient Family Care Related

Review Core Concepts of Patient Family Care related questions and content

Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their three children (ages 5, 8, and 10) are in therapy with the nurse psychotherapist. Mrs. Smith tells the nurse that their marriage has been 'falling apart' since the birth of their youngest child, Tom. She explains that they 'did not want a third child, and I became pregnant even after my husband had undergone a vasectomy. We were very angry, the pregnancy was a problematic one, and the child has been difficult since birth. We had problems before he was born, but since Tom was born, things have gone from bad to worse. No one can control him, and he is wrecking our family!' The nurse assesses that which of the following may be occurring in this family?

  • A. Scapegoating
  • B. Triangling
  • C. Disengagement
  • D. Enmeshment
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Scapegoating. Scapegoating occurs when one family member is blamed for the family's issues. In this case, Tom, the youngest child, is being blamed for the family's problems since his birth. Mrs. Smith explicitly states that they did not want a third child and that Tom has been difficult since birth. By blaming Tom for the family's issues, the family is using him as a scapegoat to avoid addressing their underlying problems. This behavior can negatively impact Tom's self-esteem and create further dysfunction within the family dynamics.

Incorrect Choices:
B: Triangling involves involving a third person in a conflict to avoid directly addressing the issue. While the family dynamics may involve triangulation, the primary issue here is scapegoating.
C: Disengagement refers to emotional withdrawal and lack of involvement in family dynamics. This does not align with the scenario provided.
D: Enmeshment is when boundaries between family members are blurred, leading to a