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A 30-year-old woman arrives in the emergency department. She is diagnosed with a drug

overdose. Assessment data reveal the following information: she has three children (18-

months, 4-years old, and 14-years old). She is in the process of her second divorce; she took

25 diazepam (Valium) tablets (2 mg/per tablet), which her doctor had given her for stress;

she is unemployed, and she did not finish high school.

a. Which Nursing theory should be used to direct her care?

The most appropriate nursing theory is the Theory of Human Caring by Jean Watson.

This theory contends that caring potentiates an individual’s capabilities and regenerates their life

energies. As highlighted by Jean Watson, the benefits of caring include but are not limited to

self-actualization, which is one of the aspects the 30-year-old woman needs. Therefore, the

Theory of Human Caring emphasizes the nursing’ humanistic aspects that healthcare

practitioners are supposed to intertwine with the nursing practice and scientific knowledge. The

theory would also help the patient learn how to mold her immediate environment, including

relationships, to benefit her health (McEwen & Willis, 2017).

b. What concepts from other theories could be used to enhance her care?

 Human beings cannot be treated as mere objects or separated from the self.

 Resilience can be grown from social assistance, optimistic thinking, a sense of meaning, and

robust relationships. It forms the foundation of healthcare education.

 Adaptability encompasses the capacity to transform or alter with new information due to the

predicament adjustments. Resilience and adaptation are significant in the Strain Theory and

Adaptation Model in Nursing Experience. The following tool is pivotal to transforming

nurses to be more compassionate, empathetic, and powerful.

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 Professionalism should be upheld during patient care as well as observing responsibility,

advocacy, and respect.

 The patients need to maintain autonomy over their self-care (Self Care Deficit Theory by

Dorothea Orem).

 Social help - there are cognitive and emotional benefits to being surrounded by the right

people to understand one’s feelings.

 Emphasis should be placed on the care delivery systems that promote learning from errors,

prevents errors using non-punitive measures, and promotes a culture of safety.

 The healthcare practitioners should employ a clinical decision-making process government

by subjective and objective information about a patient. This helps avoid exposing the

healthcare consumer to risks.

 A healthcare system should uphold moral rules to defend and protect the rights of the

healthcare consumers, avoid harm, and mitigating conditions that can contribute to harm.

 Other concepts include;

i. Social supports, behavioral therapy, cognitive, or psychotherapy

ii. Pharmacotherapy, and

iii. Supportive counseling

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References

McEwen, M. and Wills, E.M., 2017. A theoretical basis for nursing. Lippincott Williams &

Wilkins.