Nursing Wellness, Holistic Care, and Ethics Lecture

Vocabulary and key concepts from lecture notes covering wellness theories, psychosocial development, ethics, legal nursing terms, and healthcare systems.

High-level Wellness

An integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A pyramid structure to describe and prioritize human needs, progressing from essential needs at the base and proceeding upwards for healthy whole human beings.

Disease

An objective, identifiable process that causes a change in body function that shortens the lifespan of the client or reduces their capabilities.

Illness

A change or deviation from the norm that alters the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual functioning of the client.

Acute illness

A condition that occurs suddenly and can be resolved in a short period of time.

Chronic illness

A condition that occurs over a long period of time, developing slowly and lasting through the remainder of the client's life.

Terminal illness

A condition for which no cure is available and death results.

Protected Poor Health

This occurs when the environment is favorable but health is not.

Poor Health

This occurs when both health and environment are not favorable.

Emergent High-Level Wellness

This occurs when the environment is not favorable, but health is favorable.

High-Level Wellness (Dunn's Theory)

This occurs when both the environment and health are favorable.

Prodromal Phase

The phase of illness where the individual simply does not feel good.

Symptomatic Phase

The phase of illness where observable symptoms develop.

Dependency Phase

The phase of illness where the individual relies on others for help in diagnosis and treatment.

Spirituality

A client's beliefs about life, health, illness, death, and one's relationship to the universe.

Hardiness

The ability to resist illness when under stress.

Resilience

Having healthy responses to stressful circumstances or risky situations and being able to adapt to misfortunes, challenges, or setbacks.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's Stage $1$: Infancy from birth to $18$ months.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Erikson's Stage $2$: Toddler years from $18$ months to $3$ years.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's Stage $3$: Preschool years from ages $3$ to $5$.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's Stage $4$: School years from ages $6$ to $11$.

Identity vs. Confusion

Erikson's Stage $5$: Teen years from ages $12$ to $18$.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Erikson's Stage $6$: Young adult years from ages $18$ to $40$.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's Stage $7$: Middle adulthood from ages $40$ to $65$.

Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's Stage $8$: Older adulthood from age $65$ to death.

Prejudice

A determination or judgment about a person or group based on irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.

Ethnicity

The categorization of a group of people by a distinctive trait, such as the line of genealogy or ancestry, race, or nationality.

Cultural competence

A commitment by the nurse to consider the cultural background of each patient and to provide appropriate care specific to that individual.

Discrimination

The action of unfair treatment of one or more persons or groups.

Ethics

A system of beliefs based on social moral principles or values that influence human behaviors and standards of conduct.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which a decision must be made between two opposing alternatives when there is not an exact right or wrong answer.

Autonomy (Ethical Principle)

Supporting the client's right to choose and assisting them in making informed decisions about their care.

Beneficence

Keeping the client's needs and interests first and acting for the greatest good possible; to do good.

Informed Consent

A voluntary agreement made by a well-advised, mentally competent patient to be treated by a health-care provider or institution.

Non-maleficence

Protecting the client and acting to cause the least amount of harm possible; to do no harm.

Justice

Providing the same level of care to all clients without bias or judgement; being fair to all.

Fidelity

Loyalty; consistently acting in the client's best interest.

Veracity

The duty to tell the truth and provide factual information.

Abandonment of Patient

To desert or forsake a patient in your charge or to leave them without appropriate nursing replacement; wrongful termination of care.

Advance Directive

A written statement indicating a patient's wishes regarding future medical care in the event that the patient becomes unable to voice his or her decisions.

Assault

To purposefully threaten physical harm to an individual.

Battery

To touch an individual without consent.

Civil Law

Individual or personal rights guaranteed by federal law, such as the constitution and the bill of rights.

Libel

False written statements about another that are made publicly known with intent to harm.

Malpractice

Injury, loss, or damage to a patient because of failure to provide a reasonable standard of care or demonstrate a reasonable level of skill.

Negligence

A failure to act in a situation where a reasonable and prudent person would act, or acting where a reasonable person would not.

Tort

A violation of civil law involving a wrong against an individual or his or her property.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; guidelines and regulations protecting client information and regulating what is shared.

Implied Consent

Permission for medical treatment provided without written consent when a life-threatening emergency exists.

Proximal cause

Harm to the client that is directly caused by the practical nurse's breach of duty.

Managed Care

Any method of financing and organizing delivery of health care where costs are contained by controlling the provision of benefits and services.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

A group of health-care providers who contract with a health insurance company to provide services to a specific group of patients on a discounted basis.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

A cost containment plan where primary care physicians are paid a set amount per month and members need referrals to see specialists.

Medical Necessity

Services or items reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury.

Inpatient Care

A stay overnight or longer in a health-care facility.

Team nursing

The most common type of nursing in the US where a team of nurses and CNAs provide care for a group of patients.

Medicare

A federal medical insurance program designed for persons over $65$ or persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

Medicaid

A federal program set by the state for eligible low-income or medically/physically disabled clients.