Final answer:
Health is a state of complete well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social aspects of a person's life. The most accurate definition of health is a state of optimal functioning, reflecting a holistic approach to well-being rather than merely the absence of disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of health has evolved significantly over time. Instead of being simply the absence of illness, health in the human context is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This concept of health encompasses a person's physiological, psychological, and social state and acknowledges that a person’s health is influenced by a range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environment.
A more holistic definition proposed by medical research and evolution-based principles includes the biological perspective: health is that physiological and behavioural state most likely to ensure survival and successful reproduction. In line with this, health can be viewed as a spectrum where an individual may be positioned between optimal functioning and severe illness or distress.
Therefore, when a nurse instructor explains the concept of health to her students, the most accurate description of this state of being aligns with option A: Health is a state of optimal functioning. This incorporates a holistic view that health is not just about the absence of sickness, but also about living life to its fullest potential and achieving well-being in all areas of life.