Using Nightingale’s Environmental Theory

 

Using Nightingale’s Environmental Theory

Nightingale theory is a nursing theory which focuses on the accountability, autonomy, and communication associated with nursing practices. It proponent, Florence Nightingale, as conspicuous and celebrated among the nursing theorist whose teachings were based on the impact and influence that the environment has for the recovery of the patients (Smith & Parker 2015).  The theorist stressed that the nursing care goals are to ensure that a patient’s position is in excellent condition as much as possible to permit ecological condition to help towards good health promotion. Therefore, the theory pays more attention to the science and art of nursing intending to shape its practices. In theory, Florence maintained that external conditions and influences have a significant impact on the contribution and containment of illnesses and diseases. Florence’s mission through the theory has to help patients in retaining their vitality through environmental control approaches. The theory stated three primary environments: psychological, physical, and social, and holds that the contribution of each determines the quality of life that can be exhibited by a patient upon exposure (Rahim, 2013). Putting patients in natural conditions to get back to healthy lives does mean that the patient is left alone but instead supported by their ecological conditions that determine their possible recovery. In the theory of Nightingale about the environment, the amount of time by nature for a patient to heal and overcome all the partial conditions that affect his or her wellbeing based on the possible outcome.

Mrs. Adams Case Study

Mrs. Adams, who is a sixty-eight, and a widow who was subjected towards a case management when she was discharged from the hospital. As recommended by her physician, she portrays the role of nature in offering solutions to the patients. It was according to the diagnosis that the patient should be given while in or out of the facility. Hence, it is determined via possible recurrence to the disease or condition she is suffering from. Mrs. Adams’s diagnosis, which includes hypertension, breast cancer, and diabetes, require thorough consideration. Being a few days from the post-op right-sided mastectomy, she requires proper care and attention. However, her located that is characterized by low-income attributes where criminal cases are high put the intended care implementations into a standstill. Yet, from the Community Health Nurse assessment, it was realized that her apartment was in a severe mess and might prevent the free flow of fresh air and light. She had no food and seems that she has not even changed her clothes for quite a while. In the small apartment are a puppy and three cats considered by Mrs. Adams as part of her consolation since her beloved husband passed a year ago. Therefore it leads to her posing complaints of draining and severe pain after her broken air conditioner and the surgical site.

First Assessment: Evaluating the environmental conditions surrounding a patient is essential to limit the number of prevalence that they can be exposed to. According to Florence’s Nightingale theory, ecological surroundings play a crucial role in the healing process. Therefore, in Mrs. Adams’s case, her environmental surroundings need to be evaluated at first glance. Her various care concerns need to be prioritized based on the initial assessments made. However, major ecological components such as bed and beddings, nutrition, cleanliness, light, noise, the condition of the house, ventilation, and warming are considered. As indicated, Mrs. Adams complains about the minimal airflow, and the non-functioning air conditioner needs to be adjusted and properly rectified. Due to high crime cases within Mrs. Adams’ neighborhood, keeping windows and doors locked will serve as the best safety measures. Additionally, due to a reduced amount of light in the area, Mrs. Adams’ house requires proper ventilation, sound lighting system, and temperature-controlled air to fasten the healing process of her post-surgical wounds. Notably, the three pets in her room expose the house to increased infection and more bacteria.

The most important risk factors that threaten Mrs. Adams’s social wellbeing are the residence disarrays and her dirty clothes (Aspen University, 2018). Lack of quality and adequate food items and the residence disarrays shows that she lives in isolation with a minimal support network. Her condition and health starts are the major setbacks for her efforts in maintaining hygiene to a required level. Therefore, to make the cleaning effect, it should include frequent airing and changing her bedsheets and linens. According to Nightingale, most patients usually deposit wild floras on their beds if they are not adjusted for a long time (Wayne, 2014). Hence, this shows a possible infection if the patient re-enters in them, thus more infections.

Additionally, Mrs. Adams also requires daily hygiene support to make her safe for any possible further infections. Unwashed skin, according to Nightingale, blocks the air pots leading to possible poisoning of the body. Moreover, Mrs. Adams’ nurse should take immediate interventions to help her get her family members.

Five Essential Components of from the Theory

The five vital constituents advocated for by Nightingale to guarantee proper sanitation of various abodes for the improvement of health outcomes include:

Pure Water: The patient needs to avoid impure water because they contributed to diseases.

Pure Fresh Air: Ensuring fresh air in a location boosts the breathing systems of the patients.

Cleanliness: At all times, cleaning is necessary for all patients. Nurses must ensure that the environment is clean to minimize contaminations and poisoning.

Light: According to Wayne (2014), an adequate lighting system is needed in treating diseases, especially direct sunlight.

Effective Drainage: Proper drainage systems are needed to ward off ill-health causing organisms and epidemic diseases due to contamination by home sewer systems

Care Plan

The care plan for the case study will capture the following:

Nursing Diagnosis: Acute and severe pain evident in the verbal complaint made by Mrs. Adams about the new surgical procedure will be handled with proper pain medication.

Impaired physical mobility associated with damage of nerves and muscle, lymphedema as well as severe pains are seen in Mrs. Adams will be addressed with proper assistance.

Infection risks related to the wound that Mrs. Adam had after the surgery, her environment, and medical history will be addressed to ease the tension of possible infections.

Objective Information: The patient is a sixty-year-old female widow who has breast cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. The patient has blood-tinged fluids of serious oozing from her surgical site. The residence is poorly ventilated. There are three pets in a small room—no food for observation of nutritional support. Mrs. Adams appears untidy.

Subjective Information: There is a complaint from the patient about severe pains and broken air conditioner and pain. The reports from the patient show that she has no assistance because she is a widow.

Nursing Results: Mr. Adams Goals: The residence will have proper ventilation and adequately cleaned. All the bed linens will regularly and frequently change like daily bathing. The patient will utter two ways to limit any physical injuries that might be realized within the week. The patient will exercise mobility and sitting posture strength during this time. There will be daily hygiene performance by the patient to minimize the risk of infections. The nutritional status of the patient will be improved.

Nursing Interventions: The nurse responsible for the patient will ensure that the patient seeks out at least two friends that she has to help in support during her healing process. Additionally, the nurse in her daily services will ensure that she is ready to obtain her goals through increase strength, improved residence cleanliness, developed ambulation, and proper body hygiene. Implementation of in-house rehabilitation may be needed to make the efforts satisfying. Moreover, the nurse will ensure that the patient has a paramount focus in her care plan. Any option that might be available may be used to improve, however, current status. All possible risk factors will be addressed based on the effect on the patient.

Conclusion

The patient-centered approach, Nightingale’s Environmental Theory in medical care, contains several environmental aspects. It holds that environmental systems play a significant role in checking for the wellbeing of a patient. A balance in the ecological factors reveals the healing process that can be seen from the health conditions of a patient. However, Nightingale believed that it is the responsibility of nurses to ensure that a patient’s environment is safe and in good condition. They must also ensure that all the needed factors to boost the healing process are in place for all patients within their localities.

 

References

Aspen University (2018). Concepts and Theories in Nursing. Module 1. Assignment 1. Retrieved from https://aspenuniversity.edu/conceptsandtheoriesinnursing /assignment1/

Rahim, Shirin (2013). Clinical application of Nightingale’s environmental theory. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 3(1), 43-46, February/April 2013

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis.

Wayne, Gil (2014). Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory. Nurselabs.com. Retrieved from https://nurselabs.com/florence nightingale’s environmental theory

 

 

Signature Assignment Description/Directions:

This week, you will develop a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the theories from each module.

Please select one theory from each module (1-8) and answer the following questions. You should have two slides per theory:

Describe the theory

Provide 3 examples of how the theory applies to current practice

Provide 3 positive patient outcomes resulting from utilizing the theory

Explain 3 benefits to nursing satisfaction when utilizing the theory

Describe two barriers to using the theory in practice and at least one method for overcoming each barrier (support methods with sources)

Support from literature clearly noted throughout

The PowerPoint presentation should include at least two outside references and the textbook. The presentation should contain 2 to 4 slides per theory, for a total of 16 to 32 slides.

Total Point Value of Assignment: 500 points