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Self-Concept/Stress & Adaptation: January 14th, 2025

Review of Social Determinants of Health

  • Social determinants of health are conditions influencing health outcomes.

  • Referring to 12 determinants for simplicity in the course.

Health Promotion Strategies

  • Health promotion strategies aim to improve patient health and well-being.

  • Building rapport is essential, especially with vulnerable populations like the homeless.

    • Example: Offering support and discussing realistic options for housing if discharged.

  • Nurses must understand their patients' circumstances to tailor health promotion efforts.

Disease Prevention

  • Disease prevention encompasses actions to avoid illness or disease.

  • Works in conjunction with health promotion strategies.

Levels of Disease Prevention

  1. Primary Prevention

    • Example: Immunizations to prevent diseases before they occur.

  2. Secondary Prevention

    • Early detection of diseases through screenings.

  3. Tertiary Prevention

    • Rehabilitation and treatment after disease has occurred, such as post-stroke rehabilitation.

Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

  • A foundational document in health promotion with key strategies:

    • Building Healthy Public Policy: Ensuring policies promote health for everyone (e.g., COVID-19 guidelines).

    • Creating Supportive Environments: Enhancing community health by improving living conditions.

    • Strengthening Community Action: Empowering communities to take charge of their health.

    • Developing Personal Skills: Educating individuals to manage their health.

    • Reorienting Health Services: Shifting focus towards health promotion and disease prevention.

Health Promotion Model Questions

  • The model integrates health promotion with population health.

  • Nurses should always consider:

    • Who: Who is affected by the determinants?

    • What: What actions can be taken to address health issues?

Importance of Self-Concept in Nursing

  • Self-concept is the perception nurses have of themselves, affecting their practice.

  • Factors influencing self-concept include values, beliefs, and life experiences.

  • Nurses' self-esteem impacts their ability to care for patients.

  • Recognizing how one's self-concept affects patient care is crucial.

Key Aspects of Self-Esteem

  • Self-esteem reflects an individual's feelings of worth and capability.

  • Important for mental health and overall well-being.

  • Nurses must assess and clarify patients' self-assessment and feelings.

Coping Mechanisms

  • Explore adaptive (healthy) and maladaptive (unhealthy) coping strategies with patients.

  • Collaboratively identify new solutions or alternatives for coping.

Stress Concepts in Nursing

  • Fight or Flight Response: Initial reaction to high-stress situations.

  • General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Stages are Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

  • Connection between stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) and the immune response.

Types of Crises

  • Developmental Crisis: Relates to changes in life stages.

  • Situational Crisis: Resulting from external events like job loss or natural disasters.

The Role of Emotional Maturity in Nursing

  • Nurses must have a mature understanding of emotions to support patients effectively.

  • Balancing positive reinforcement with constructive feedback is essential in the clinical environment.

Recognition of Altered Self-Concept in Patients

  • Signs include:

    • Avoidance of eye contact

    • Slumped posture

    • Unkempt appearance

    • Over-apologetic behavior

    • Negative self-talk

Case Study Example

  • Addressing a 16-year-old's self-concept post-delivery focusing on appearance and support for adoption while managing her health.

Conclusion and Next Steps

  • Review chapters 27 and 30 of the course material before the next class.

  • Prepare for discussions on the nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.