Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What aspect of family life does the nurse evaluate to determine how family members deal with stress?

1. Relationship dynamics

2. Coping skills

3. Physical health

4. Socioeconomic status

The correct answer is: Coping skills

Coping skills are a critical aspect of how family members manage stress and navigate challenges that arise within the family unit. By evaluating coping skills, the nurse can gain insight into the mechanisms families use to deal with stressors, whether they are effective or maladaptive. This understanding helps the nurse support the family in strengthening their resilience and finding healthier ways to cope with stress. While relationship dynamics, physical health, and socioeconomic status are important factors that can influence a family's ability to cope with stress, they do not directly reflect how family members manage stress themselves. Coping skills are the active strategies that individuals and families utilize to confront stress, making this the most relevant aspect for the nurse to evaluate in this context.