Nurse's Pocket Guide

isk for impaired PARENTING
Poor communication skills
Inability to respond to infant cues
Preference for physical punishment
PHYSIOLOGICAL
Physical illness
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Young parental age
Closely spaced pregnancies; high number of pregnancies; difficult
birthing process
Sleep disruption/deprivation
Depression; history of mental illness/substance abuse
Disability
SOCIAL
Stress; job problems; unemployment; financial difficulties; poor
home environment; relocation
Situational/chronic low self-esteem
Lack of family cohesiveness; marital conflict; change in family
unit; inadequate childcare arrangements
Role strain; single parent; father/mother of child not involved;
parent-child separation
Poor/lack of parental role model; lack of valuing of parenthood
Unplanned/unwanted pregnancy; late/lack of prenatal care
Low socioeconomic class; poverty; lack of resources/access to
resources; lack of transportation
Poor problem-solving skills; maladaptive coping strategies
Lack of social support network; social isolation
History of being abused/being abusive; legal difficulties
NOTE: A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms, as
the problem has not occurred and nursing interventions are
directed at prevention.
Desired Outcomes/Evaluation
Criteria—Parents Will:
• Verbalize awareness of individual risk factors.
• Identify own strengths, individual needs, and methods/
resources to meet them.
• Demonstrate behavior/lifestyle changes to reduce potential
for development of problem or reduce/eliminate effects of
risk factors.
Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance
the use of nursing diagnoses.
518 Cultural Collaborative Community/Home Care