NRS 434VN Topic 5 Assignment; Benchmark - Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
- $20.00
Health-Illness Continuum and Patient Care
The health-illness continuum illustrates the fluctuation of different states of health and illness (Brookside Associates, 2015). In this paradigm wellness is a positive state where incremental increases in health can be made beyond the midpoint, representing improved physical and mental health. The opposite end of the continuum is illness, posing possible incremental decreases in health (Irhuma, 2008). As health changes, individuals must adapt their lives to maintain well-being, therefore, adaptation and effective functioning, even when chronically ill, are signs of a wellness state (Brookside Associates, 2015). This paper will discuss how understanding this continuum promotes dignity and value allowing patients to better flourish in life, as well as the benefits of knowing where nurses’ land within the continuum and what steps they can take to improve their health.
Understanding the Health-Illness Continuum
Adjusting to life changes with chronic illness is a hurdle for most individuals. Disease and illness are sometimes inevitable, however, the way in which patients deal with such changes can increase their overall well-being. As nurses, knowing and understanding the health-illness continuum allows us to help our patients cope both physically and mentally. Often these new diagnoses cause many changes in lifestyle and possible limit their ability to perform daily activities. Consequently, patients may become depressed and have a feeling of loss of control within their own lives (Grand Canyon University (GCU), 2018). A person dealing with a new diagnosis will at first need treatment of the condition itself, but the changes it requires of them in their life will need to be addressed as well. Consideration should be given to their mental health (GCU, 2018). Assessments of how they are coping with the changes and adapting will allow the nurse to see where they are in the health-illness continuum and help them progress towards wellness while affording them kindness and dignity as they adapt............ Continue
