Running head: CHASE STUDY 1

Chase Study

Student’s Name

Institution of Affiliation

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 CHASE STUDY 2

Chase Study

Scenario: Elizabeth Jefferies is a divorced 46-year-old mother of two children (Lily age 8 years

and Felix age 10 years) and the daughter of two aging parents in the southeastern United States.

She and her children have recently relocated from an urban neighborhood to a rural town to

care for her parents, Robert and Susan. The move involved a job change for Elizabeth, a change

in schools for the children, and an increased distance from the children’s father Chris. Robert is

a 72-year-old Methodist minister who recently suffered a stroke, leaving him with diminished

motor function of his left side and difficulty swallowing. Susan is 68 years old and suffers from

fibromyalgia, limiting her ability to assist with the daily care of her husband. She has

experienced an increase in generalized pain, difficulty sleeping, and worsening fatigue since her

husband’s stroke.

Application of Need Theory by Virginia Henderson

From the case study, it is evident that Elizabeth and her family members, including both

the parents, are going through physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual

challenges. There are several theories that can be applied in this scenario (Smith, & Parker,

2015). The best theory that would help during assessment in this case scenario is the Need

Theory, developed by Virginia Henderson. This theory focuses on a nurse’s role in assisting the

patients in sustaining health, recovering from injuries, or attains a peaceful death (Ahtisham, &

Jacoline, 2015). Virginia Henderson stressed the duty o nurses to focus on helping the patient as

opposed to waiting for the doctor to help the patient. As a result, this paper aims at applying

Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory to assist in the assessment of Elizabeth in the provided case

scenario.

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 CHASE STUDY 3

First, it is vital to conduct a physiological assessment to determine the physical problems

Elizabeth, and her family members are experiencing due to the troubles she is facing. For

instance, Elizabeth is disturbed that her mother Susan experiences increased generalized pain,

difficulties in sleeping, and worsening fatigue. Using the Need Theory, it is critical to assess

whether an individual achieves wholeness by maintaining physiological and emotional balance

(Smith, & Parker, 2015). In this case, Susan does not have enough sleep, fatigue, and is

experiencing pains, thus preventing her from achieving wholeness.

Besides, it also essential to conduct a psychological assessment to determine the reason

the individuals in this scenario are mentally disturbed. The Need Theory maintains that

individuals must achieve psychological needs, such as communication and handling fears

(Ahtisham, & Jacoline, 2015). In this case scenario, Elizabeth’s children, Lily and Felix, have

been denied the need to communicate with their father after the relocation. Besides, Susan is

mentally disturbed because she has fibromyalgia that limits her abilities to care for her husband,

who has a stroke. Moreover, the children are likely to mentally disturbed, especially when it

comes to adapting to their new school. Besides, Robert is also mentally disturbed because of the

stroke, which has left him with a diminishing motor function of his left side and difficulty in

swallowing.

Further, it is vital to perform a socio-cultural assessment. For instance, Elizabeth is a

divorcee, and it is crucial to note that sometimes, a society may not accept her to follow all

cultural activities. However, the Need Theory maintains individuals must fulfill their socio-

cultural needs, such as recreational activities, to achieve a sense of accomplishment (Ahtisham,

& Jacoline, 2015). In this scenario, Elizabeth may find it challenging to have a sense of

accomplishment because society often has a different perspective on the divorcees, especially if

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 CHASE STUDY 4

they are women. She might not be allowed to participate in recreational activities that require

family participation. As a result, her children may not access the need to achieve various forms

of recreational activities. It is, therefore, vital that she participates in recreational activities on her

own together with her children to achieve a sense of fulfillment.

Moreover, it is vital to conduct a spiritual assessment to determine the spiritual problems

the individuals in the case scenario experience. The Need Theory maintains that individuals need

to worship according to their faiths to achieve a sense of accomplishment (Ahtisham, & Jacoline,

2015). In this scenario, Elizabeth had problems with her spiritual fulfillment because she felt

that the problems her family faces are a curse from God. According to the theory, it is right for

her to have such feelings if that is how her faith dictates.

Overall, the need theory of Henderson Virginia can be applied in various situations an

individual finds himself or herself in throughout his or her life. In this case scenario, the theory

has been used to assess the needs of the individuals and develop interventions to help individuals

experience a sense of accomplishment.

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 CHASE STUDY 5

References

Ahtisham, Y., & Jacoline, S. (2015). Integrating Nursing Theory and Process into Practice;

Virginia's Henderson Need Theory. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 8(2).

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis.

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