Caring, Theories, Therapeutic Relationships, and Professional Practice in Nursing

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering caring theories, therapeutic relationships, nursing definitions, major theories, SLUSON framework, ethics, law, documentation, and interprofessional practice.

Caring (foundation of the nursing-patient relationship)

Caring is the foundation of the nursing-patient relationship; it builds trust, fosters compassion, and strengthens the bond between nurse and client.

Requirements of Caring

Sincerity, listening, presence, respect, and acceptance.

Caring is Primary (Benner)

Caring matters to people; patients are unique with individual backgrounds, experiences, values, and cultural perspectives.

Transcultural Caring (Leininger)

Caring is personal and its expression varies across cultures.

Transpersonal Caring (Watson)

A holistic intention to promote healing and wholeness.

Swanson's Theory of Caring

Five processes: knowing, being with, doing for, enabling, maintaining belief.

Presence

Being with the client through eye contact, body language, voice tone, listening, and a positive attitude.

Therapeutic Touch

Use of touch to provide comfort and safety; holding, gentle positioning, or massage as appropriate.

Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship

A professional alliance that supports learning, coping, and health goals, with planning and boundaries.

Pre-interaction Phase

Phase before meeting the client; review chart and information.

Orientation Phase

Initial meeting; build trust, introduce self, set goals, clarify expectations.

Working Phase

Active care and collaboration; implement plan, educate, support change.

Termination Phase

Closure of the relationship; review progress and plan discharge or transfer.

Active Listening Responses

Techniques include reflection, summarization, and validation to show understanding.

Therapeutic Use of Self

Authenticity, self-awareness, presence, empathy, and appropriate involvement in care.

Authenticity

Being genuine and true to oneself in the nurse-client relationship.

Self-Awareness

Understanding one’s own beliefs, values, biases, and perspectives to avoid projecting them.

Empathy

Ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Appropriate Level of Involvement

Maintaining professional boundaries while being engaged in patient care.

Defining Nursing (Legal and ANA perspectives)

Nursing is the practice of caring with science; involves compensation for acts requiring specialized education and judgment.

Legal Definition of Nursing

Practice requiring specialized education, judgment, and skill performed for compensation.

ANA Definition of Nursing

Nursing combines the art and science of caring to protect health, prevent illness, facilitate healing, and advocate for individuals.

Self-Care Deficit Theory (Orem)

Nursing helps when individuals cannot care for themselves; emphasizes self-care agency.

Adaptation Model (Roy)

Focus on adapting to internal and external stimuli; nurses support the adaptation process.

Theory of Goal Attainment (King)

Nurses and patients set and achieve goals through negotiated interactions.

Cultural Care Theory (Leininger)

Nursing care should align with patients' cultural beliefs and practices.

Henderson's 14 Basic Needs

Nurses assist patients to gain independence by meeting 14 basic needs.

SLUSON Conceptual Framework

A framework for nursing focusing on Science and Art, values, and adaptation.

SLUSON Core Concepts

Person, Health, Environment, Nursing.

Person (SLUSON)

Adaptive being who interacts with the environment; includes individuals and groups.

Health (SLUSON)

Dynamic state on a wellness–illness continuum affected by person-environment interaction.

Environment (SLUSON)

External factors influencing the person; physical, social, cultural surroundings.

Nursing (SLUSON)

The science and art of helping individuals adapt to health challenges; aiming for maximal integrity.

Nursing Core Values

Altruism, Autonomy, Human Dignity, Integrity, Justice, Fidelity, Veracity.

Professional Values: Altruism

Concern for the welfare and well-being of others.

Autonomy

Patient's right to self-determination and informed choice.

Dignity

Respect for inherent worth and uniqueness of people.

Ethical Principles: Beneficence

Acting in the patient’s best interest to promote good.

Nonmaleficence

Do no harm; minimize potential harm.

Justice

Fair and equal treatment for all patients.

Fidelity

Keep promises; maintain trust and confidentiality.

Veracity

Truthfulness and transparency with patients.

Ethical vs Legal Issues

Ethical concerns relate to moral duty; legal issues relate to compliance with the law.

Scope of Practice

Defines what nurses are legally allowed to do by professional acts.

Standards of Care

Guidelines to ensure safe and competent practice; used to evaluate negligence.

Negligence vs Malpractice

Negligence is failure to act appropriately; malpractice is professional negligence causing harm.

Informed Consent

Patient must understand and agree to treatment; nurses may witness, not obtain consent.

Confidentiality (HIPAA)

Protect patient information; unauthorized sharing is illegal.

Documentation

Accurate, timely, objective charting; legal record of care.

Handoff (ISBAR)

Information exchange at transitions of care using ISBAR: Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

HIPAA and Records Access

Protect patient privacy; patients have right to access their records.

Delegation

Assign tasks safely and appropriately to others.

Mandatory Reporting

Requirement to report abuse, diseases, or unsafe practice.

Good Samaritan Law

Protection for nurses providing emergency care in good faith.

Medication Errors

Mistakes with dosing or drugs; can lead to malpractice or negligence.

Breach of Confidentiality

Inappropriate sharing of patient information; HIPAA violation.

Lack of Informed Consent

Performing care without consent; may constitute battery.

Patient Abandonment

Leaving a patient without proper handoff or care continuation.

Assault/Battery

Forcing treatment or threatening care; legal action may follow.

Interprofessional Communication

Effective communication across health care disciplines improves safety and quality.

Assertive Communication

Clear, direct, and respectful expression of needs and boundaries.

Conflict Resolution Strategies

Open, respectful communication; use I statements; stay calm; clarify issues; focus on solutions.

Incivility, Lateral Violence, and Bullying

Disrespectful behaviors harming teamwork and patient care.