Question

The nurse is visiting a patient at home after he was discharged from the hospital following a heart attack. She listens to the patient's concerns about being an invalid for the rest of his life because of his bad heart, but he is afraid of having "open heart" surgery. The nurse explains the different surgical procedures that are available to the patient, as well as other options such as cardiac rehabilitation. After several such visits, the patient states that he believes that cardiac rehabilitation therapy would be best for him, and asks the nurse how he can get in. The nurse calls the patient's physician and sets up a referral for cardiac rehabilitation. This action most closely fits which of the following theories?

a. Peplau's theory
b. Henderson's theory
c. Nightingale's theory
d. Orem's self-care deficit theory

Answer 1

The nurse's action aligns with Peplau's theory, focusing on the interpersonal aspects of nursing, and involves guiding the patient through decision-making and facilitating his entry into cardiac rehabilitation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The action taken by the nurse in the scenario presented most closely fits Peplau's theory.

This theory emphasizes the nurse-patient relationship and the patient's active participation in their own recovery process.

After the nurse explains various options including cardiac rehabilitation, the patient decides that rehab therapy would be best for him.

Through guidance and supportive interaction, the nurse facilitates the patient's entry into a cardiac rehabilitation program by contacting the patient's physician for a referral.

This method aligns with Peplau's interpersonal relations theory, which includes four phases: orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution.

The nurse follows this model by assessing the patient's needs, providing guidance, enabling the patient's decision-making, and arranging the necessary steps to initiate treatment.