The nurse is visiting a patient at home after he was discharged from the hospital following a heart attack

Question

She listens to the patient's concerns about being an invalid for the rest of his life because of his bad heart, but he is afraid of having "open heart" surgery. The nurse explains the different surgical procedures that are available to the patient, as well as other options such as cardiac rehabilitation. After several such visits, the patient states that he believes that cardiac rehabilitation therapy would be best for him, and asks the nurse how he can get in. The nurse calls the patient's physician and sets up a referral for cardiac rehabilitation. This action most closely fits which of the following theories?
a. Peplau's theory
b. Henderson's theory
c. Nightingale's theory
d. Orem's self-care deficit theory

Answer 1

ANS: A
Peplau's theory focuses on the individual, the nurse, and the interactive process or nurse-patient relationship. Goals are to educate the patient and family and to help the patient define the problem and solutions. Henderson's theory focuses on helping the patient with activities that the patient would perform unaided if he or she were able. Nightingale viewed nursing not as limited to the administration of medications and treatments, but rather as oriented toward providing fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and adequate nutrition. The goal of Orem's theory is to help the patient perform self-care.