Faye Glen Abdellahs Theory of Practice Model of Nursing - Research Paper Example

Faye Glen Abdellah’s Theory of Practice Model of Nursing Faye Glenn Abdellah was born on 13th march 1919. Her research has been the pillar of nursing helping change it completely from the disease centered to a more accommodating a patient centered approach. She is without a doubt responsible for the revolution in the field of nursing. Faye Abdellah was basically very dedicated in pursuing the advancement of the nursing profession. She, therefore, transformed the focus of the whole profession from disease centered to simply patient centered. Her dedication to transforming the vocation, she expanded on the role of the nurses to include family and elderly care. Faye’s theory offers the nursing process steps that if applied as stated can solve the identified problems. Faye takes us through the assessment, diagnosis, the planning, implementation and finally the evaluation of the problem as the necessary steps to resolving a medical problem. This theory generally offers a different unique way of viewing the nursing phenomena. This research paper looks at the problems solved by the theory, how the theory can be applied to solve the identified problem and finally deduct on any new knowledge that this theory brings to the surface. This theory of nursing has been proven as the most efficient and effective over the other grand, middle-range or practice theories. Faye’s theory concentrates on patient and not disease, therefore, dealing directly with the problem and creating a well-outlined procedure on how to handle the issue at hand. The fact that this theory has a well-structured and elaborate methodology to deal any arising problem makes it better than the other theories. Faye Glenn Abdellah wrote a typology, which according to her identified as many as 21 nursing problems. The distinction of these problems was done and divided in three major areas. The identification and classification of these problems were the physical, sociological and the emotional needs of the patient, the types of interpersonal relationships that existed between the patient and the nurse and finally the collective elements of patient care (Peate, 2010). The identification of these 21 nursing problems would not only help evaluate students’ experiences but also could help measure a nurses’ competency based on the outcomes. The Abdellah theory is composed of twenty-one nursing problems that should be at the fingertips of all nurses and they are all aimed at helping the patient get well in the shortest time possible. According to Peate, the first nursing problem that Faye’s theory tackles is to maintain good hygiene and physical comfort (Peate, 2010). After every medical procedure, patients are usually soiled and it is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure that they are properly cleaned and to ensure they are comfortable by placing them well on their beds. In order to promote optimal activity, exercise, rest and sleep, the nurses have to ensure that patients that were sedated during procedures are to stay in the unit until the effects of the sedative decrease. To ensure the patients rest the nurse must ensure they create a conducive environment (Peate, 2010). Peate further argues that the other nursing problem is to promote safety within the hospitals by preventing injury, accidents and other trauma and must ensure they prevent the spread of infection (Peate, 2010). This is done by ensuring the side rails are always up when leaving the patient and the spread of infection can be ensured by properly disinfecting the equipment. In order to promote good body mechanics, prevent, and correct deformities, the nurse must certify that they position the patient properly allowing normal anatomical position of a patients’ body. To facilitate the maintenance of oxygen supply to body cells, a nurse must attach oxygen to any patient that develops a breathing problem through the nasal cavity, ensure that when oxygen falls below the required level it is increased, connect all sedated patients to a cardiac monitor and a pulse oxi while delivering oxygen to them (Peate, 2010). Another nursing problem that nurses face is how to maintain the nutrition of the body cells. This is done by monitoring the patient’s glucose level and adjusting it whenever in fall below required levels (In Alligood, 2014). To facilitate elimination, the nurse is supposed to provide pans and urinals to the patients. When patients cannot control, Foley catheters are attached. To ensure fluid and electrolyte balance, proper regulation of intravenous fluids should be observed. In order to address the problem of how to recognize how a patient responds to a certain disease, both the cardiac rate and blood pressure should be monitored. In order to maintain the regulatory and functioning of a patient, for example, when they develop breathing difficulty and increased respiratory rate, the head part of the bed should be raised. An issue that Faye’s theory also tackles is how to maintain the sensory functions of the patient, talking to the patient while performing nursing interventions has been proven to maintain their auditory sense. This theory has also helped nurses identify and accept the negative and positive feelings, expressions and reactions of their patients this will equip the nurse with the proper answers to give when the patients are anxious (In Alligood, 2014). Russell argues that the theory can come in use when identifying the interrelatedness of emotions and the organic illness and they should encourage the patient to express their emotions because this will help them get well faster (Russell, 2010). The nursing problem of how to maintain an effective verbal and nonverbal communication is also handled by the theory. This is because the nurse should be able to determine the needs of the patients when they cannot express them verbally (Russell, 2010). Russell further says that it is also necessary for the nurses to allow for the development of interpersonal relationship with family members by allowing visiting and bonding before and after procedures. The nurse should also help the patient to achieve personal spiritual goals, by just visiting patients in their units and allowing them to pursue their faith will help them in achieving this objective. Nurses should also play a role in the creation and maintenance of a therapeutic environment. This is done by having a quite environment, proper lighting and optimum temperatures. It should be noted that the care for patients vary according to their needs (Russell, 2010). Therefore, nurses should facilitate awareness of the self as individuals in line with the changing physical, emotional and developmental needs. Nurses should also accommodate the fact that the goals of each patient vary and they should not expect them to reach similar objectives because of the different limitations (Russell, 2010). Abdellah’s theory also advocates for the use of available community resources to aid solve some illnesses. Some patients live far from the hospital, nurses should be able to recognize this and refer them to other centers in order to deal with the illness in the shortest time possible. Finally, the last nursing problem identified by Abdellah Faye is the ability of nurses to recognize social factors as influencing factors to illnesses (Russell, 2010). For instance, patients diagnosed with amoebic infections are advised to avoid street food whose preparation means they are not sure of. They are also warned against drinking unsafe water. The identification and classification of these 21 nursing problems is the main objective of Abdellah’s theory. Her aim is to inform the nurses on how to deal with these issues. The procedure of dealing with all the 21 nursing problems is elaborate and comprehensive. It would involve recognizing the nursing problem of a patient, deciding the appropriate action to be taken in line with the nursing principles, providing continuous health care to the patient, ensure that the pain and discomfort of the patient are dealt, adjust the whole care plan in order to meet the patient’s needs, help the individual attain and maintain a good health condition, help the patient adjust to the limitations and emotional problems of the illness, instruct the nursing personnel and family to help the patient, work with other health colleagues to achieve optimum health of the patient and finally carry out relevant evaluation and research to improve nursing and develop new techniques to meet the people’s needs (Peate, I. (2010). A vivid example of the application of the principles of Abdellah Faye’s theory is manifested in the tackling cardiac arrest. The first step is to ensure that identify the problem to be cardiac arrest. The next step is to organize nursing interventions in this case of a cardiac arrest it is to administer oxygen and ensure the head is well rested comfortably. The patient is repositioned and analgesics are administered in order to promote the rest of the vital signs. Additionally, ensure that there is constant supply of oxygen and promote deep breathing and coughing exercise. This practice manifests the implementation of Abdellah’s theory. The progress of the patient is determined as the proper care is given. This is because if there is any change or any new developments that might help the situation. It is also determined whether this was a first cardiac arrest or he had developed a similar case before, identification factor such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia and profuse diaphoresis are determined. Once the cardiac history is revealed, the treatment can be adjusted to perfection (Peate, 2010). From writing this paper, I have come across new knowledge and insight that is found in the application of the nursing theory. The main problem with the theory and the 21 nursing problems is their strong nursing centered orientation. Although all the problems can be of great use in evaluating, organizing teaching content for the nurses and evaluating their performance in critical areas, little emphasis on what the patient stands to gain is the biggest limitation of the theory and the twenty-one nursing problems. In conclusion, Abdellah’s theory continues to guide people to focus on the body of nursing knowledge itself. The recognition of the nursing problems, the organizing of the relevant nursing interventions, the improving of the whole nursing structure by providing better education and curriculum have all played a significant role in development of what is now known as the nursing diagnoses. It is evident that Abdellah took a different path to tackling patient’s problems, a path that has demonstrated care and focus on the patient not the disease. References In Alligood, M. R. (2014).Nursing theorists and their work. Peate, I. (2010). Pioneering Theories in NursingPioneering Theories in Nursing. Nursing Standard, 24(43), 30-30. Russell, P. (2010). Cognitive and Behavioral Theories in Clinical PracticeCognitive and Behavioral Theories in Clinical Practice. Nursing Standard, 24(37), 30-30. Read More