Question

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted to the neurological unit with the diagnosis of a stroke and right-sided weakness. The nurse assumes responsibility for bathing and feeding the patient until the patient can begin performing these activities. The nurse in this situation is applying the theory developed by: A. Johnson. B. Orem. C. Roy. D. Peplau.

Short answer

B. Orem.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Theory

The scenario describes a nurse taking responsibility for patient care activities that the patient cannot do independently due to a stroke and right-sided weakness. These activities fall under the category of self-care.

Match the Theory to the Correct Theorist

Among the options provided, Dorothea Orem is known for developing the Self-Care Deficit Theory. This theory states that nursing care is required when an individual is unable to perform the self-care activities required to maintain health and well-being.

Select the Correct Answer

Since the Self-Care Deficit Theory is the one that best describes the nurse's activities in the given scenario, B. Orem is the correct answer.

Key concepts

Nursing Theories

Nursing theories are critical frameworks that offer a structured method to understanding patients' needs and the care nurses provide. Essentially, they guide the practice of nursing by defining what it is, what its goals are, and how skilled nursing actions can lead to better patient outcomes. For example, a nurse tending to a stroke patient's hygiene and feeding requirements is putting a specific nursing theory into practice.

Understanding Self-Care in Nursing

Nursing theories often emphasize the importance of self-care, which is the foundation of many nursing models, including the Self-Care Deficit Theory. In a situation where a patient suffers from limitations, such as after a stroke, these theories highlight the nurse's role in compensating for the patients' inability to care for themselves.

Dorothea Orem

Dorothea Orem was a prominent nursing theorist who developed the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory. Born in 1914, her influential work has shaped modern nursing practices. Orem's theory is built on the idea that health care is a personal responsibility and that nursing becomes necessary when a person is unable to fulfill their own care needs.

The Cornerstones of Orem's Theory

Orem posited that every adult has the ability and right to self-care, and that self-care is a learned, goal-oriented activity directed toward the self-maintenance of the individual. According to her theory, nurses' primary role is to assist individuals when they can no longer care for themselves due to health-related issues, which is a common scenario in caring for stroke patients.

Stroke Patient Care

Caring for a patient who has experienced a stroke involves a unique set of challenges related to the individual's physical and cognitive abilities. Stroke patients often deal with complications such as paralysis, weakness on one side of the body, or speech and comprehension difficulties.

Adapting Care to Patient Needs

Healthcare professionals apply nursing theories to guide their approach, particularly when the patient has a deficit in self-care abilities. The goal is to help regain as much independence as possible while ensuring safety and personal dignity. Care plans include assessments of the patient's capabilities, setting realistic goals for recovery, and providing assistance in daily activities like bathing and feeding as seen in the exercise.

Nursing Education

Nursing education is pivotal in preparing nurses to provide high-quality patient care and to implement various nursing theories in practice. Educational programs not only focus on the scientific knowledge and technical skills needed for nursing but also on teaching the theoretical frameworks that inform practice.

Integrating Theory and Practice

Nursing students are trained to recognize self-care deficits and how to apply theories like Orem's to real-life scenarios. By doing so, they learn to develop comprehensive care plans that are patient-centered. This ensures that nurses are equipped to face complex healthcare situations, such as the care of stroke patients, immediately upon entering the clinical environment.