NUR 430: Health Behavior, Healing Systems & Complementary Care

Vocabulary flashcards covering health behaviors, illness behaviors, healing systems, complementary modalities, and nursing priorities based on Set 4 of the NUR 430 Midterm Master Study Guide.

Health Behavior

Activity by a person who believes they are healthy to prevent or detect disease while asymptomatic.

Health Behavior Example

Taking zinc prophylactically while asymptomatic.

Illness Behavior

Activity by a person who feels ill to define the health problem and find a remedy.

Illness Behavior Example

Beginning an herbal tea after symptoms appear.

Sick-Role Behavior

Activity by a person who considers themselves ill and acts to get well; it can include family caregiving and social expectations.

Factors Influencing Symptom Interpretation

Visibility, seriousness, disruption of routine, frequency/persistence, tolerance threshold, motivation, knowledge, age, education, previous illness, cues to action, available resources, and choice of healer/provider.

Patient Consultation Figures

A professional practitioner, folk healer, or religious/spiritual figure.

Self-Care Healing System

Personal/family/community practices used without direct professional care.

Self-Care Examples

OTC products, vitamins, minerals, herbs, topical agents, and exercise.

Professional/Biomedical Care

Formally taught biomedical care focusing on physical and biochemical processes, prevention, and treatment.

Folk Healing System

Traditional cultural healing knowledge/practices transmitted within communities or through recognized healers.

Integrative Healthcare

Mainstream professional care combined with complementary modalities.

Traditional Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, homeopathy, and naturopathy.

Body/Touch Practices

Chiropractic care, massage, Tai Chi, and yoga.

Natural-Product Therapies

Vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal extracts.

Mind-Body Practices

Deep breathing, meditation, and clinical hypnosis.

Senses Therapies

Guided imagery, aromatherapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, and pet therapy.

External-Energy Therapies

Approaches such as Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Tai Chi, and bioelectromagnetic methods.

Nursing Priority for Herbs and Home Remedies

Assess first: ask what is used, why, dose/amount, frequency, source, and all other medications; evaluate interactions and safety without ridicule.

Healing Systems Comparison

Self-care = personal/family practices; professional = formally trained biomedicine; folk = traditional community healing; integrative = mainstream professional care plus complementary modalities.