N104: Essentials of Nursing Care - Health Safety

N104: Essentials of Nursing Care – Health Safety Study Guide Chapter Four: Health and Illness The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The ANA states that health is the absence of disease and movement toward optimal functioning. These views of health consider every aspect of the person as being essential to a state of health. These definitions also assume that each individual constantly adapts to the changes both in his own health status and in the external environment. Illness is the state in which some aspect of the individual's physical, social, developmental, or psychological function is diminished. Acute illness is one that starts abruptly with severe symptoms that last for a relatively short time. Chronic illness is one with a slow onset, periods of remission when symptoms disappear, and a more sustained duration. The concepts of health and illness are best understood by reviewing models of health and illness, stress and adaptation to stress, and health maintenance. 4.1 Models of Health and Illness Various models of health and illness have been developed to explain the relationship between health and illness. Each of these models uses a different world view. Some of the most widely recognized models include: • Illness/wellness continuummodel • High-level wellness model • Health belief model • Agent-host-environment model Travis’s Illness/Wellness Continuum This model of illness and wellness is based on the idea that health and illness exist on a continuous line, with health on one extreme and illness on the other. Models based on the illness/wellness continuum are often used to measure the individual's perceived level of wellness. This model assumes that an individual can be at any point on the continuum at any point in time. In fact, within a day, an individual can perceive himself at different points on the continuum. In times of comparative health, the individual will move further to the right and closer to the wellness end of the continuum; in times of comparative illness, the individual will be closer to the ill end. The aim of the nurse in this model is to move the patient towards the wellness end of the continuum through the patient’s education and awareness. Illness/wellness continuum: Illness < | | | | | | | > Wellness

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