Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Zambales
Telefax : 047-8111683/email address: prmsu.edu.ph
CHAPTER VIII
PRIORITIZATION OF IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS
This chapter focuses on the prioritization of identified problems in a family nursing care plan, a
critical process that enables targeted, efficient, and effective interventions. Family nursing care plan aims to
address health needs within the family unit, considering each member’s influence on overall wellness.
Prioritizing problems ensures that urgent, high-impact issues are addressed first, maximizing health
outcomes and resource utilization. In this context, prioritization is based on criteria such as: (1) Nature of the
Problem, (2) Modifiability of the Problem, (3) Preventive Potential, and (4) Salience of the Problem. By
systematically ranking issues, nurses can create care plans that respond directly to the most pressing needs.
This approach enhances the family’s ability to achieve and sustain health improvements over time. The
chapter thus provides a structured framework for decision-making, guiding practitioners in formulating a
responsive and adaptable care plan.
Problem #1: Risk of Nutritional Imbalance Due to Preference for Impaired or Unhealthy Dietary Patterns
Criteria Weight Computation Actual Score Justification
A preference for impaired or unhealthy dietary
1. Nature of the Condition or patterns is a health threat due to the risk of
Problem Presented nutritional imbalance, which can lead to several
serious health issues such as deficiency of
Scale: essential nutrients and risk of chronic diseases.
Wellness State 3 2 2/3x1 0.67 Deficiencies can impair growth, cognitive
Health Deficit 3 function, immunity, and bone health. The
Health Threat 2 excess intake of saturated fats, salt, and sugar
can raise blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood
Foreseeable Crisis 1
glucose levels, all of which contribute to
chronic disease risk.
It is easily modifiable because it often stems
2. Modifiability of the Condition from habitual choices, which can be adjusted
or Problem with awareness and guidance. Prioritizing
education on balanced nutrition and promoting
healthy food choices are effective first steps,
Scale:
2 2/2x2 2 addressing root causes without the need for
Easily Modifiable 2 drastic lifestyle changes. Implementing small,
Partially Modifiable 1 achievable adjustments like increasing fruit and
Not Modifiable 0 vegetable intake or reducing processed foods
quickly improves dietary quality, making this
intervention highly actionable.
3. Preventive Potential
It has moderate preventive potential because it
can often be addressed through targeted
Scale: interventions, like dietary education and
High 3 2 2/3x1 0.67 behavioral support, which may mitigate the
Moderate 2 impact of poor food choices addressing an
Low 1 avoidable risk with manageable effort.
4. Salience Scale
Scale:
A condition or problem, Nutritional imbalance due to unhealthy dietary
needing immediate attention 2 patterns is not perceived as a significant
0 0/2x1 0 problem because immediate health issues may
A condition or problem, not not be apparent to them, leading to a delay in
needing immediate attention 1 recognizing the long-term consequences.
Not perceived as a problem
or condition needing change 0
TOTAL SCORE: 3.34
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Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Zambales
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Problem #2:Impaired Home Environment Related to Cluttered or Hazardous Living Conditions Affecting One’s Health
Criteria Weight Computation Actual Score Justification
1. Nature of the Condition or
Problem Presented
Cluttered or hazardous living conditions pose a
health threat by increasing the risk of falls,
Scale: accidents, and respiratory issues due to poor air
Wellness State 3 2 2/3x1 0.67 quality. Prioritizing this problem is critical as it
Health Deficit 3 directly affects the individual's immediate
Health Threat 2 safety and long-term well-being.
Foreseeable Crisis 1
2. Modifiability of the
Condition or Problem It is however partially modified to some extent
because there are ways to reduce the threat of
hazardous living conditions though insufficient
Scale:
1 1/2x2 1 financial resources pose a partial obstacle and it
Easily Modifiable 2 addresses immediate safety concerns but may
Partially Modifiable 1 not fully address the underlying causes of
Not Modifiable 0 clutter or environmental hazards.
3. Preventive Potential In households with limited resources,
addressing cluttered or hazardous living
Scale: conditions has a low preventive potential
High 3 1 1/3x1 0.33 because other urgent needs, like food security
Moderate 2 or healthcare, may take priority. Families in
Low 1 poverty may lack access to resources or support
systems to improve their environment.
4. Salience Scale
Scale:
A condition or problem, The family acknowledges that this is an issue
that does not require urgent intervention. It may
needing immediate attention 2
not need immediate attention in situations
1 1/2x1 0.5 where other health or safety issues are more
A condition or problem, not pressing to them. For them, basic needs is more
needing immediate attention 1 of a priority, leaving less urgent issues like
clutter to be managed later.
Not perceived as a problem
or condition needing change 0
TOTAL SCORE: 2.50
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Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Zambales
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Problem #3: Presence of Health Deficit ( Type II Diabetes Mellitus) - Instances of Failure to Health Maintenance
Criteria Weight Computation Actual Score Justification
1) Nature of the Condition or
Problem Presented
It represents a health deficit because it indicates
an inability of the body to properly regulate
Scale: blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance or
Wellness State 3 3 3/3x1 1 insufficient insulin production. This ongoing
Health Deficit 3 imbalance can lead to complications affecting
Health Threat 2 the cardiovascular, nervous, and renal systems.
Foreseeable Crisis 1
2) Modifiability of the
Condition or Problem It is partially modifiable because lifestyle
factors such as diet, physical activity, and
weight management can significantly impact its
Scale:
1 1/2x2 1 progression and management. However, genetic
Easily Modifiable 2 factors, age, and certain environmental
Partially Modifiable 1 influences may limit the extent to which the
Not Modifiable 0 disease can be controlled or reversed.
3) Preventive Potential The preventive potential is moderate because
age-related factors can make it more
challenging to maintain health, including
Scale: reduced physical resilience and often limited
High 3 2 2/3x1 0.67 social support. Older adults may also face more
Moderate 2 difficulty in adhering to lifestyle modifications,
Low 1 such as exercise and diet, which are critical in
managing diabetes.
4) Salience Scale
Scale: The family recognizes this as a condition or
A condition or problem, problem not needing immediate attention. For
needing immediate attention 2 an elderly person, it is often manageable
without immediate intervention considering the
1 1/2x1 0.5 age-related factors and instead of spending
A condition or problem, not
needing immediate attention 1 resources related to their condition, they prefer
utilizing the resources to the basic needs of the
family.
Not perceived as a problem
or condition needing change 0
TOTAL SCORE: 3.17
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Email Address: prmsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Zambales
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Problem 1: Food Pref
Interpretation:
This problem scores 3.34, reflecting a relatively high priority in the care plan. The issue is considered a
health threat with a score of 0.67, suggesting that while the condition is not a current health crisis, it poses
significant risks in the long term. The modifiability score (2) highlights that lifestyle and dietary changes are
relatively easy to implement, making this condition responsive to educational interventions aimed at
improving nutrition. However, the moderate preventive potential (0.67) implies that while interventions can
yield positive outcomes, behavioral changes require consistent effort and reinforcement. The low salience
score (0) indicates that the family might not perceive the immediate importance of addressing this issue,
likely because the symptoms and impacts of poor dietary habits are not immediately visible. This finding
suggests that public health strategies should not only focus on educating families about healthy eating but
also emphasize the importance of preventive care to mitigate chronic disease risk.
Analysis:
The risk of nutritional imbalance due to food preference, highlighted as a key problem, is consistent with
findings in Philippine studies on dietary habits. A study by Angeles-Agdeppa (2020) showed that a
significant portion of Filipino youth and adults have diets high in processed foods, which contribute to
nutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases. Local initiatives often focus on nutrition education as a
modifiable intervention, echoing the document’s recommendation for educational and small dietary
adjustments. This aligns with the Department of Health’s "Pinggang Pinoy" initiative, a visual guide
promoting balanced meals that are culturally and economically accessible.
Problem 2: Environmental Condition
Interpretation:
With a total score of 2.50, this problem ranks as moderately significant. The nature of the issue as a health
threat (0.67) underlines the potential dangers posed by unsafe living environments, such as increased
accident risks. Modifiability scores lower (1), reflecting challenges related to limited financial resources that
hinder the family's ability to address these environmental hazards fully. Low preventive potential (0.33)
emphasizes that without significant investment or support, it may be difficult to sustain safer living
conditions, particularly if basic needs such as food and healthcare take precedence. Additionally, the
salience score (0.5) suggests the family does not perceive this problem as needing immediate intervention,
possibly due to other, more pressing needs. This indicates that efforts to improve household safety should be
practical, resource-sensitive, and culturally relevant, promoting small, actionable changes to enhance
environmental health without imposing undue burdens.
Analysis:
The document underscores the risks of cluttered or unsafe environments, reflecting common findings in
urban and low-income households in the Philippines. Philippine studies emphasize that limited financial
resources contribute significantly to environmental hazards in homes, affecting air quality and injury risks
For further information, Call One of the Facilitator of College of Nursing at 047-8111683
Email Address: prmsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Zambales
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(Mundoc et al., 2020). Solutions typically involve community awareness campaigns and partnerships with
local government units (LGUs) to improve household safety through affordable measures, reflecting the
partially modifiable nature of the issue described.
Problem 3: Diabetes Mellitus
Interpretation:
This issue scores a total of 3.17, underscoring its importance due to its significant impact on the individual’s
health and potential complications. Diabetes is classified as a health deficit (1), indicating a chronic
condition that requires ongoing management. The partial modifiability score (1) acknowledges that while
lifestyle adjustments can improve outcomes, genetic and age-related factors may limit the effectiveness of
these changes. A moderate preventive potential (0.67) underscores that early interventions like diet and
exercise can help mitigate complications, though adherence to these measures can be challenging for elderly
patients. Despite the importance of diabetes management, the salience score (0.5) suggests that immediate
intervention may not be a family priority, possibly due to resource constraints and the perception that the
condition is manageable with minimal immediate risk. This finding points to the need for culturally sensitive
health education programs that consider both the physical and resource-related limitations elderly patients
face, empowering them to prioritize manageable aspects of their condition without overwhelming them.
Analysis:
The presence of Type II diabetes is another priority, identified in the document as a health deficit partially
modifiable by lifestyle adjustments. In the Philippines, diabetes prevalence is rising, with studies
highlighting the need for culturally relevant management strategies (Sonsona, 2014). Given the
socioeconomic context, Filipino families often not prioritize costly treatments in favor of meeting immediate
needs, as reflected in this analysis. LGU-driven interventions that provide free or subsidized screenings and
community-based support for lifestyle modifications are common and align with the document’s approach to
addressing diabetes in resource-constrained settings.
Grand Synthesis:
The prioritization approach used in this family nursing care plan provides a nuanced view of how families
perceive health issues and their willingness or ability to address them. High-scoring conditions, like
nutritional imbalance and diabetes, indicate a need for preventive education focused on sustainable behavior
changes and accessible health resources. However, the lower urgency perceived for conditions like
environmental safety and chronic disease management underscores the challenges families face in balancing
immediate needs against preventive care. This family nursing care plan highlights the importance of
targeted, resource-sensitive interventions that align with both family priorities and public health goals. For
effective family nursing care, understanding these priority areas allows healthcare providers to tailor
interventions that are feasible, culturally relevant, and aligned with family dynamics and resource
limitations.
Reference: (Sa dulo to ng paper)
https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-020-00597-x
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=133200
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=dissertations
For further information, Call One of the Facilitator of College of Nursing at 047-8111683
Email Address: prmsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Zambales
Telefax : 047-8111683/email address: prmsu.edu.ph
For further information, Call One of the Facilitator of College of Nursing at 047-8111683
Email Address: prmsu.edu.ph
