Health, Wellness, Illness, and Health Disparities

Chapter 3 – Health, Wellness, Illness, and Health Disparities

Prepared by: Tonya Clarke
Course: PRN1032 – Client-Centered Care I (Section FMPA1A0Z)
Instructor: Professor Stewart
Purpose: NCLEX-Style Practice for Exam Study
This NCLEX-style practice set includes 25 questions covering Chapter 3 concepts such as health, wellness, illness, acute and chronic illness, social determinants of health, health equity, and the nurse’s role in promoting health and reducing disparities.

Key Concepts

Definitions

  • Health: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as:
    Complete physical, mental, and social well-being (Not merely the absence of disease).

  • Wellness: Described as:
    An active process of achieving optimal well-being (In contrast to a passive state of health).

  • Illness: Characterized as:
    A subjective experience of being unwell (Distinguished from measurable conditions or signs of disease).

  • Health Disparity: Defined as:
    Differences in health outcomes linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantages (Implying an inequality rather than equal treatment).

  • Health Equity: Refers to:
    Everyone having a fair opportunity to achieve their highest health potential, acknowledging that not all individuals receive the same care.

Types of Illness

  • Acute Illness: Conditions that typically resolve in a short time frame; for example, a fractured arm from a fall.

  • Chronic Illness: Conditions that persist for several months or longer; often involving ongoing care and may include diseases like diabetes mellitus or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Preventative Care Strategies

Types of Prevention

  • Primary Prevention: Aims to:
    Prevent disease before it occurs. Example: Vaccinations or community education on smoking cessation.

  • Secondary Prevention: Focuses on:
    Detecting disease early; for instance, high blood pressure screening.

  • Tertiary Prevention: Concerned with:
    Limiting complications and disability related to established disease; such as in cardiac rehabilitation following a myocardial infarction.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

  • Examples include factors like:

    • Access to education, employment opportunities, income level, and safe housing.

  • SDOH are integral to understanding health disparities and health equity.

Nurse’s Role in Health Promotion

  • Nurses contribute to health promotion through:

    • Educating, advocating for, and supporting behavior changes that promote wellness.

  • This includes understanding factors that influence a client’s self-concept, which affects how individuals cope with illness and recovery.

Philosophical and Ethical Considerations

  • Holistic Health Care: Defined as:
    Treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit, rather than focusing solely on physical ailments.

  • Antiracism in Healthcare: Engaging in actions that actively oppose racism and promote equity within health systems.

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): In nursing practice, it aims to:
    Promote fairness, respect, and representation among patients and staff, recognizing and addressing institutional and structural disparities.

Sample Questions

  1. Which statement best defines health according to the World Health Organization (WHO)?

    • B. Complete physical, mental, and social well-being

  2. Wellness is best described as:

    • B. An active process of achieving optimal well-being

  3. Which of the following best characterizes illness?

    • A. A subjective experience of being unwell

  4. A client with diabetes who manages diet and exercise to prevent complications demonstrates which type of prevention?

    • C. Tertiary prevention

  5. An individual with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing worsening symptoms. This is known as:

    • B. Exacerbation

  6. Which of the following is an example of an acute illness?

    • A. Fractured arm from a fall

  7. Chronic illnesses are best described as conditions that:

    • A. Last several months or longer and often require ongoing care

Answer Key & Rationales

  1. B | Health is complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease.

  2. B | Wellness is an active process of achieving optimal health.

  3. A | Illness is a personal, subjective experience of being unwell.

  4. C | Managing a chronic disease to prevent complications is tertiary prevention.

  5. B | Exacerbation means worsening of symptoms in a chronic illness.

  6. A | Acute illnesses are short-term, such as a broken bone or infection.

  7. A | Chronic illnesses are long-term, often with remissions and exacerbations.

  8. A | Health disparities are differences in outcomes linked to social and environmental disadvantages.

  9. A | Health equity ensures everyone has fair opportunities for optimal health.

  10. A | SDOH include access to education, income, and safe housing.

  11. A | Smoking cessation programs are primary prevention.

  12. B | Secondary prevention involves early detection of disease.

  13. C | Tertiary prevention aims to limit complications and disability.

  14. C | Cardiac rehabilitation is an example of tertiary prevention.

  15. B | The spiritual dimension involves beliefs and purpose in life.

  16. A | Self-concept affects how people cope with illness and treatment.

  17. B | Holistic care treats the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

  18. D | Antiracism means actively opposing racism and promoting equity.

  19. C | Antiracism addresses institutional racism in healthcare.

  20. B | Implicit bias involves unconscious attitudes that affect behavior.

  21. A | Nurses promote health by educating and supporting positive behaviors.

  22. A | Vaccinations are a form of primary prevention.

  23. B | Blood pressure screening is secondary prevention.

  24. C | Managing chronic conditions represents tertiary prevention.

  25. A | DEI promotes fairness, respect, and representation in healthcare.