environments along a lime continuum. Charnctc ristic. « of hca1H1y family fiinctioniog are described as flexible role patterns, responsiveness to needs of individual members, dyo111nic problem-snlvint, mechanisms, ability tr, acc:c. pt help, npen rommunication patterns, cxpcric11ccoflrust and respe:ct in" w. irm :111d caring atmosphere a J1d capacity lo maintain and crcalc constructive relal;onships with the broader neighborhood and community (Clemen-Slone and others 199l, pp. :. t69-270). In order to achieve wellness among its members ;ind reduce or eliminate health problems, the st1111dord or norm of the family as 11 func Lioning unit involves the ability to perform the following health tasks: 1. Recognize the presence or a wellness state or health condition or problem; :?.. Mukc decision:=; about t11king apprnprfate health actinn to maintain wellness or manage the health prnblem; 3. Provide nursing c,11-e to lhc sick, disnbled, dependent or al-risk members; 4. Maintain a home envirnnmcnt conducive to health maintenance and personal <lcvclopmcnt; and, 5. Utilize communit y resources for health Cbtre. After relating family data to relevant cli·nical or research findings and comparison of pntterns with norms or standards, Assessment data, as categorized or reorganized, are interpreted and inferences are drawn. The end result of this analysis duri_ng the first-level assessme nt is a conclusion or a statement of a health condition or problem, classified as a wellness potential, health threat. health dcfic. it or stress point/foreseeable crisis. This definitio n constitutes any of the follov,ing: i. Transition state from a speciiic level of wellness to a l1igher level; 2. Medical or nursing diagnosis indicating cun:cnt health status of each family member; 3. Condition of home and environment conducive ·,o disease/illness or accidents ; nnd, 4. Man1ration/dcveloprnen tnl o. r situational crisis situation. The second-level of analysis ends with a definition of family nt'lrsing problems. To dctinc family nursing problems, eoch wellness state or l1e,1lth condition or problem must be nnaly,;ed in terms of how the famjly handles it. The process of data gathering for this :malyi;is has been described earlier (sec lnterview, Data-gathering Methods and Tools). The patterns and implications of these data reect expbmations and inferences about l11e family as a fltnct-ion_ing unit u1 tenns of its problems related to performance of family health tasks. The causes of or the reasons for tl1e existence of the condition or health condition or problem reflect barriers to the family's capabili ties to promote and maintain health among its members as it maintain s family system integrity. Figure 2. 1 sw11m. irizes the critical thinking process during tbe assessment phase in family health nur. sing practice. NURSING DIAGNOSES: FAMILY NURSING PROBLEMS 171e end result of t J,e second-l. cvel assessment is fl set of family mirsing problems for each health condition or problem. A wellness comlilion is a nursing judgment related with Lhe clienl's capability for wellness. A l1ea1th condition or problem is a situation which interferes witn tbe promotion and/or maintenance of health and recovery from illness or injury. A 6'3 