Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Nursing Care

Health and Wellness Nursing, Healing, and Caring

• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a "state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1947).
• Health is a state of being, defined by individual values, personality, and lifestyle.
• Each person has a unique concept of health.
• Individual views of health vary across cultures.
• Life conditions (socioeconomic factors like environment, diet, lifestyle practices) affect health before illness becomes apparent.
• Psychological and physiological factors impact a person’s perception of health.
• Health behaviors positively or negatively affect health status.
• Positive behaviors maintain, attain, or regain health and prevent illness (immunizations, nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management).
• Negative behaviors (smoking, drug/alcohol abuse, poor diet) harm health.

Models of Health and Illness

• Nurses use health models to understand patient attitudes and values about health and illness.
• Nursing models help understand and predict health behaviors and therapy adherence.
• Models help individualize patient care plans to promote or restore health.

Health Belief Model

• This model connects a person's beliefs and behaviors.
• For example, a patient's awareness of a familial link to a disease (like coronary artery disease) might affect their actions toward their health.
• A patient's perception of disease severity can affect the actions they take towards their health.

Health Promotion Model

• This model acknowledges the uniqueness of each person.
• Behavioral changes are a result of nursing actions.
• Health-promoting behaviors lead to improved health, enhanced function, and better quality of life.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Recognizes the interrelationships of basic human needs.
• Basic human needs are essential for survival and health (e.g., food, water, shelter, safety and love).
• All people share basic needs, even with unique variations in individual needs.
• Physiological needs (e.g., food, water) must be met before more complex needs can be addressed.

Holistic Health Model

• This model considers the mind, body, and spirit in health and wellness.
• It emphasizes the interaction of emotional, spiritual, social, and cultural aspects of wellness.
• Examples of holistic interventions include meditation, music therapy, and guided imagery.
• The model empowers patients to take responsibility for their recovery and health maintenance.

Variables Influencing Health and Health Beliefs and Practices

• Internal Variables:

  • Developmental stage: Thought and behavior patterns change throughout life.
  • Intellectual background: Knowledge, traditions, and past experiences influence health beliefs.
  • Emotional factors: Stress, depression, and fear can affect health beliefs and practices.
  • Spiritual factors: Values, beliefs, and relationships to others influence spirituality; some religions restrict medical treatments.

• External Variables:

  • Family practices: Family perceptions and behaviors impact individual health beliefs and practices.
  • Socioeconomic factors: Social factors, care access, and resources can affect a person’s health and reaction to illness.
  • Cultural background: Cultural beliefs, values, and practices affect health practices, the healthcare system interactions, and the cause of illness beliefs.

Variables Influencing Health Behaviors

• Lifestyle: Usual activities and routines, like eating habits, smoking, and activity levels affect health status.
• Self-efficacy: A person's perception of their ability to perform a certain task influences their health-related behaviors.
• Health care attitudes: Beliefs about healthcare (e.g., use of herbs, folk healers) greatly influence health behaviors.

Health Promotion, Wellness and Illness Prevention

• Health care increasingly focuses on prevention.
• Concepts of health promotion, wellness, and illness prevention center on the future.
• Health promotion/wellness focuses on promoting individual well-being and preventing illness.
• Illness prevention focus on minimizing illness-related impacts.

Levels of Preventive Care

• Primary prevention: Aims at health promotion in healthy patients with health education, immunizations, nutritional and physical fitness activities.
• Secondary prevention: Aimed at those with health issues or at risk of developing complications. Measures include early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and intervention to reduce illness severity.
• Tertiary prevention: Targets those with permanent disabilities or illnesses where goals are to minimize ongoing effects and maximize functioning. Treatment includes restoration of abilities and rehabilitation.

Risk Factors

• A risk factor is any situation, habit, social or environmental condition, physiological or psychological condition, or other variable that increases vulnerability to illness or accident.
  • Genetic/Physiological: Genetic predisposition or current conditions (e.g., overweight).
  • Age: Susceptibility to diseases & infections changes with age.
  • Environment: Chemical exposures or living conditions.
  • Lifestyle: Habits like smoking, diet, excessive sun exposure.

Impact of Illness on the Patient and Family

• Behavioral and emotional changes depend on illness nature, patient attitude, reactions from others, and illness variables.

• Short-term, nonlife-threatening illnesses usually have little effect on patients or families.

• Body image is personal.

• Some physical changes from illness affect body image; reactions differ by individual.

• Impact on self-concept includes mental self-image, physical image, roles, and spirituality.

• Illness affects family roles: reversal of roles and need for adjustment

• Impact on family dynamics: Shifts in family processes, decision-making, support, and daily coping.

• Nurses assess the family as a whole unit during illness to help all regain well-being.

Nurse's Role in Health Promotion, Health Protection, and Disease Prevention

• Nurses act as teachers and counselors, sharing knowledge and fostering understanding.
• Encourage beneficial health behaviors.
• Provide anticipatory guidance and educate.
• Prevent illnesses (e.g., through immunizations) and educate patients/families about risk factors.
• Guide patients/families in restoring/maintaining health or coping with illness.

This quiz explores the application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs within the context of nursing care. It addresses the implications of self-actualization, esteem needs, and the interplay of physical, mental, and spiritual health in promoting client wellness. Test your understanding of how these concepts influence health behaviors and nursing practices.