Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which indicator suggests that first-order changes have occurred in a family?

1. Family members express feelings

2. Children are all in school and a parent returns to work

3. Increased communication among parents

4. Decreased tension within the family

The correct answer is: Children are all in school and a parent returns to work

The correct choice highlights significant changes in the family structure and dynamics that indicate first-order transformations. First-order changes refer to observable shifts in behavior, structure, or routines within a family system without altering the underlying family dynamics. In this case, the transition of children going to school often signifies that parents have to adjust their roles and responsibilities. A parent returning to work indicates a shift in the family’s routine and functioning, reflecting a movement toward a more structured and typical family life. These changes can lead to a reorganization of how family members interact and allocate their time, hence representing a clear, observable change in the family unit. Other indicators, such as family members expressing feelings or increased communication, may also suggest positive changes, but they often reflect deeper emotional dynamics or second-order changes, implying shifts in the underlying structure or beliefs of the family. Decreased tension is a positive outcome of improved relationships but does not inherently signify a structural change. Therefore, the return to work and children being in school is the most definitive indicator of first-order changes in the family.