An exploratory study focused on how, when, and under what conditions clients with long term illness and their families view the Public Health Nurse Home Visit Service (PHNHVS) as assisting them in family health care. Data were obtained from home interviews and nurse records of 68 families served by 13 nurses in one San Francisco Bay Area locality. Situational influences were the home setting, medical regime, source of control, (public or private), and the nurse's behavior. Acceptance of the PHNHVS by clients was based on the source of medical care. The service was not perceived as one which clients would voluntarily request or use for help in family health care. It was seen as helpful for learning technical skills or clarifying medical conflict when the condition of long term illness was acute or newly diagnosed. Over a period of time, nurse visits were continued mainly on the basis of nurse behavior. However, the service was seen as one of public control and community protection. Implications were derived for adult education and for public health nurse service and practice. (Author/LY)