Betty Neuman's Systems Model of Nursing

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, lines of defense, stressors, developmental stages, levels of prevention, and nursing process stages of Betty Neuman's Systems Model.

Betty Neuman

A nurse, educator, and therapist who worked in multiple areas and created the Neuman Systems Model.

Neuman Systems Model

A holistic nursing model concerned with how a client interacts with their environment, viewing the client as an open, unique system and incorporating client perceptions and nurse observations.

Basic Structure

The core energy resources of the client (individual, family, or community), comprising factors common to all organisms such as normal temperature range, genetic structure, response patterns, organ strength or weakness, ego structure, and known commonalities.

Normal Line of Defense

The client's baseline or standard level of wellness that adapts over time and varies with age and development.

Flexible Line of Defense

The dynamic outer boundary and protective buffer of the client that prevents stressors from reaching the normal line of defense, varying in strength according to social support, tenacity, age, spiritual well-being, and genetics.

Lines of Resistance

Internal protective mechanisms activated when a stressor breaches the normal line of defense, functioning to protect the client's core structure and promote a return to baseline.

Stressors

Internal or external factors that can affect the system positively or negatively, the impact of which depends on the client's perception.

Intrapersonal Stressors

Stressors that occur internally and within the client, such as medical conditions.

Interpersonal Stressors

Stressors that occur outside the client but proximal to them, such as friend relationships or family roles.

Extrapersonal Stressors

Stressors that arise outside the client from the wider environment, such as community resources and employment status.

Developmental Variable

One of the model's five major variables, consisting of cognitive development, self-concept, developmental tasks, age group resources, societal views of the age group, and role in family or society.

Cultural Variable

A major system variable assessing race/ethnicity, language/communication, definitions of health and wellness, caregivers, and cultural influences on diet, dress, touch, and religion.

Psychosocial Variable

A major system variable addressing emotional status, mental health, social and family support systems, response to conflicts, and Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.

Spiritual Variable

A major system variable covering religious affiliation, sources of hope and belief, participation in religious holidays and ceremonies, spiritual practices, and moral development.

Physiological Variable

A major system variable comprising 10 sub-variables: fluid/electrolyte balance, oxygenation, elimination, tissue integrity, nutritional status, sensory/perceptual, sleep/rest, activity/mobility, safety/comfort, and sexuality.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's stage occurring in infancy ($0-1\,\text{year}$) with the virtue of Hope, focused on trust or mistrust that basic needs like nourishment and affection will be met.

Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

Erikson's stage occurring in early childhood ($1-3\,\text{years}$) with the virtue of Will, focused on developing a sense of independence in many tasks.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's stage occurring in play age ($3-6\,\text{years}$) with the virtue of Purpose, focused on taking initiative on activities and managing guilt when unsuccessful or boundaries are overstepped.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's stage occurring in school age ($7-11\,\text{years}$) with the virtue of Competence, focused on developing self-confidence in abilities when competent or a sense of inferiority when not.

Identity vs. Confusion

Erikson's stage occurring in adolescence ($12-18\,\text{years}$) with the virtue of Fidelity, focused on experimenting with and developing identity and roles.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Erikson's stage occurring in early adulthood ($19-29\,\text{years}$) with the virtue of Love, focused on establishing intimacy and relationships with others.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's stage occurring in middle age ($30-64\,\text{years}$) with the virtue of Care, focused on contributing to society and being part of a family.

Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's stage occurring in old age ($65\,\text{onward}$) with the virtue of Wisdom, focused on assessing and making sense of life and the meaning of contributions.

Primary Prevention

Interventions aimed at health promotion, risk factor recognition, reducing the possibility of encountering stressors, and strengthening the flexible line of defense.

Secondary Prevention

Interventions aimed at early case-finding, treatment of symptoms, acknowledging problems, and addressing issues after a stressor penetrates the normal line of defense.

Tertiary Prevention

Interventions focused on readaptation, reeducation to prevent future occurrences, maintenance of stability, and decreasing or eliminating the stress response to promote equilibrium.

Reconstitution

The state of returning toward system stability or baseline wellness, which can begin at any degree of reaction and may extend beyond the normal line of defense.

Nursing Diagnosis (Neuman)

The phase of the Neuman nursing process involving assessment and diagnosis to identify stressors and determine actual or potential variances from wellness.

Nursing Goals (Neuman)

The planning phase of the Neuman nursing process that determines expected outcomes and needed interventions.

Nursing Outcomes (Neuman)

The phase of the Neuman nursing process consisting of the implementation of interventions and subsequent evaluation.