Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory

Vocabulary flashcards covering Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory and her approach to the Nursing Process.

Florence Nightingale

Pioneer of modern nursing (May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910) born in Florence, Italy, known as "The Lady with a Lamp," the first nurse researcher, and hero of the Crimean War.

Fliedner School of Nursing

The nursing institution located in Kaiserwerth, Germany, where Florence Nightingale studied nursing.

Notes on Nursing

A thought-provoking essay by Florence Nightingale addressing the organization and manipulation of the environment for individuals requiring nursing care.

Everyday Sanitary Knowledge

Knowledge of nursing or how to put the constitution in such a state that it will have no disease, or can recover from disease.

Environmental Model

Nightingale's nursing theory focusing on controlling surrounding factors—such as ventilation, light, noise, cleanliness, and nutrition—to assist patient recovery.

Health of Houses

A concept dependent on five essential environmental factors: pure air, pure water, efficient drainage, cleanliness, and light.

Ventilation & Warming

The environmental practice of keeping the air a patient breathes as pure as external air without chilling the patient.

Light (Environmental Model)

An environmental factor with tangible physical effects on the body; patients naturally position themselves to face windows and sun sources.

Noise (Environmental Model)

Annoying or sudden environmental sounds (such as snapping gloves, stethoscopes, or alarms) that startle patients; patients should never be waked during the first part of sleep.

Variety

Environmental modifications in color or form—such as flowers, reading, or needlework—used to relieve sick patients of boredom.

Bed & Bedding Care

Guidelines requiring beds to be placed in the lightest part of a room facing a window, kept clean, dry, and neat, while avoiding leaning on, sitting on, or shaking the bed.

Personal Cleanliness

The practice of keeping skin pores free from obstructing excretions and ensuring nurses wash their hands very frequently throughout the day.

Chattering Hopes & Advices

Falsely cheering the sick by making light of their illness, which Nightingale noted depresses patients and causes worry and fatigue.

Nursing (Metaparadigm definition)

Putting the patient in the best condition for nature to act upon them through the proper use of air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and diet.

Human Beings (Metaparadigm definition)

Individuals defined in relationship to their environment and the impact that the environment has upon them.

Health (Metaparadigm definition)

The ultimate goal of all nursing activities, distinct from pathology which only teaches the harm disease has done.

Nursing Process

A scientific method used by nurses to ensure quality patient care, consisting of Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Assessment (Nightingale's Approach)

The data-gathering phase emphasizing two essential nurse behaviors: asking the client what is needed or wanted, and using detailed observation.

Nursing Diagnosis (Nightingale's Approach)

A conclusion reflecting the client's response to their environment rather than the environmental problem itself.

NANDA

Acronym for North American Nursing Diagnosis Association.

Planning (Nightingale's Approach)

The phase focused on identifying actions to modify the environment so nature can act upon the client efficiently.

Implementation (Nightingale's Approach)

Taking action directly within the client's environment to modify factors such as noise, air, light, bedding, and cleanliness.

Evaluation (Nightingale's Approach)

Determining outcomes primarily through observation to see if environmental changes restored health at the least expense of vital energy.