Florence Nightingale & Environmental Theory

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms related to Florence Nightingale’s life, achievements, and Environmental Theory.

Florence Nightingale

British nurse (1820–1910) regarded as the Founder of Modern Nursing and first nursing theorist.

Lady with the Lamp

Nickname given to Florence Nightingale for her nightly rounds caring for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.

Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not

Nightingale’s 1859/1860 book that set out principles of nursing and introduced her Environmental Theory.

Environmental Theory

Nightingale’s nursing theory stating that manipulation of the patient’s surroundings promotes healing.

Founder of Modern Nursing

Title earned by Nightingale for professionalizing nursing through education, theory, and practice.

First Nursing Educator

Role assumed by Nightingale when she opened the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas’ Hospital in 1860.

Pure Air

First essential component of a healthy environment; ventilation to supply clean, fresh air to patients.

Light (Direct Sunlight)

Second essential component; sunlight’s therapeutic effect on patient recovery.

Cleanliness

Third essential component; maintaining clean floors, walls, carpets, and linens to prevent infection.

Efficient Drainage

Fourth essential component; proper removal of bodily excretions and waste water to avoid contamination.

Pure Water

Fifth essential component; supply of safe, uncontaminated drinking water for patients.

Quiet

Additional environmental consideration; avoidance of unnecessary noise to facilitate patient rest.

Diet

Environmental factor concerning quality, quantity, and timing of patient food and fluids.

Pet Management

Guideline to protect patients from restless animals, severe odors, and disturbing sights.

Ventilation & Warming

Nightingale directive to regulate room temperature and circulate fresh air without causing chills.

Health of Houses

Assessment of surrounding environment for fresh air, safe water, proper drainage, and cleanliness.

Noise Control

Practice of limiting loud sounds, alarms, and chatter around patients to reduce stress and fatigue.

Bed & Bedding

Requirement to keep beds dry, wrinkle-free, and comfortably warm to enhance comfort and prevent sores.

Personal Cleanliness

Patient hygiene measure; frequent washing of skin to maintain integrity and prevent infection.

Variety

Provision of pleasing changes in the room—flowers, pictures, conversation—to stimulate recovery.

Chattering Hopes & Advices

Warning against giving false reassurance or excessive advice that can fatigue or mislead patients.

Taking Food

Routine monitoring of the kind and amount of food and drink consumed by the patient each meal.

Observation of the Sick

Systematic watching and recording of patient signs and symptoms to guide nursing care.

Crimean War Service

Period (1854–1856) when Nightingale organized battlefield nursing and drastically reduced mortality.

Royal Red Cross

Decoration awarded to Nightingale by Queen Victoria in 1883 for military nursing service.

Order of Merit

Prestigious British honor bestowed on Nightingale in 1907, making her the first female recipient.

International Nurses Day

Global celebration held each year on May 12, Nightingale’s birthday, to honor nurses.

Statistics in Nursing

Nightingale’s pioneering use of statistical diagrams to prove sanitary reforms reduced soldier deaths.

Nursing as an Art

Nightingale’s view that nursing requires creative, compassionate practice beyond technical science.

Metaparadigm: Person

Receiver of nursing care; a human affected by environment and possessing innate reparative powers.

Metaparadigm: Environment

Internal and external surroundings that can be manipulated to promote health, per Nightingale.

Metaparadigm: Health

State of well-being enabling a person to live life to its fullest extent; absence of disease not required.

Metaparadigm: Nursing

Art and science of assisting individuals in altering the environment for healing and health maintenance.