Adaptation to Environment: Physical and Physiological - Term Paper Example

?ADAPTATION TO ENVIRONMENT Adaptation to Environment: Physical and Physiological Word Count: 1050 (4 pages) I. Introduction Transient ischaemia attack (TIA) patients are definitely at some greater risk for having depression and other secondary and tertiary conditions beyond what’s happened to them already. Here it will be attempted to examine two majorly important, pressing issues within the Roy Adaptation Model of the Physical and Physiological processes: the theory (including a brief introduction and rationale); as well as the clinical problem (including a description of the clinical problem, how major concepts of the theory apply to the problem, how utilizing the theory will guide nursing practice, and how patient outcomes could improve upon applying the theory to clinical practice). II. The Theory A. Short Introduction of the Theory According to the Roy Adaptation Model (2011), adaptation is “the process and outcome whereby thinking and feeling persons, as individuals and in groups, use conscious awareness and choice to create human and environmental integration” (pgh. 6). The Roy Adaptation Model takes into account several important and concomitant factors—the ones being analyzed here to be the physical and physiological models. B. Rationale for the Theory Selection The rationale for utilizing this theory came from the idea that the Roy Adaptation Model might better assist the patient in being able to deal with his particular health issues. For example, not only should the patient’s hydration be taken into account with electrolyte levels, but the main focus here—maximizing the use of this theory—is to ensure that the patient: a) does not have a second stroke; b) utilizes preventative measures and techniques to reduce stress; and that c) the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle with regard to diet and exercise. Usually, transient ischaemia attacks are signs that the patient is at risk for having future strokes. Therefore, it is important that, since the patient already has had a stroke, that further damage is prevented by ensuring that all the physical and physiological needs of the patient are met—even if it is helping him manage his medications, which could save his life. Obviously, the patient is probably taking a complicated cocktail of medications—but even adding aspirin could reduce swelling or constricting of the blood vessels that would preclude a stroke. III. The Clinical Problem? A. Description of the Clinical Problem ? The patient in question was found to be suffering from what is called Transient Ischaemic attack (TIA). The patient also has a history of Type II Diabetes—which requires that he take insulin every day if his blood sugars cannot be controlled with medications, diet, and exercise. The patient also has elevated levels of lipids (fat) in his blood, also known as high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia. The patient also had suffered a stroke of some note. The patient was irritable and frustrated with being in the hospital. He stated that he wanted to go home and take care of his business. He wanted to be in his house with his grandchildren and pet. He constantly complained about noises, hospital food, distractions and services from the healthcare staff. ?The environment—both physical and physiological—could definitely affect how the patient progresses from illness to maintaining good health. A person’s environment can surely promote healing, reduce stress, and overall, influence their well-being. However, if a patient is not comfortable with healthcare services due to their environments, their health could be impacted negatively and might prolong the healing process. It will be attempted to address the physical-physiological aspect using the Roy Adaptation Model. B. Applying Major Concepts of the Theory to the Problem The major concepts of the theory include the following: focal stimuli, which immediately confront the individual; ?contextual stimuli, which are all other stimuli present that contribute to the effect of the focal stimulus; and residual stimuli, environmental factors of which the effects are unclear in a given situation. Focal stimuli might be the immediate environment of the hospital where the patient was staying. Contextual stimuli might include noises that contribute to the hospital environment such as medical machinery and the hubbub (or ‘noise’) of the staff that are working there. Residual stimuli includes other environmental factors that upset the patient. C. How Utilizing the Theory Will Guide Nursing Practice Utilizing this theory will help guide the nursing practice for this particular patient because one needs to be concerned with several various aspects of his diet and nutrition, as well as helping the patient be able to cope with the stressors that plague him. This is in addition to his myriad of medical problems, which can best be addressed by adapting the Roy Adaptation Model to suit his particular needs. D. Patient Outcomes’ Improvement By Applying Theory to the Clinical Process There are different issues that this particular patient will face almost daily. Within the Roy Adaptation Model (2011), there are “[f]ive needs—oxygenation, nutrition, elimination, activity and rest, and protection; [there are also four] complex processes-senses, which are fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance; neurologic function; and endocrine function” (pp. 5). Many studies have shown that various medications are necessary in order to counteract the problems from which this particular patient suffers. According to Holzemer et al. (2011), “Several studies indicate that there is an unmet need for improvement in the implementation and adherence of antithrombotics, lipid-lowering therapies, antihypertensives, and smoking cessation counseling for patients who have experienced a stroke” (pp. 376). The patient, in fact, may be experiencing some depressive elements. According to Espejo et al. (2010), “Current depressive symptoms, for instance, may contribute to elevated perceptions of stress… individuals currently experiencing psychological distress may attribute their distress to environmental circumstances, and thus, may interpret and report on their circumstances in support of their attribution” (pp. 24). Optimism, however, can substantially contribute to a patient’s well-being. According to Cohen, Daniela, & Lorber (2010), “Multiple regression analysis …revealed that age and optimism significantly accounted for the explained variance of quality of life and of depression, indicating that higher age and lower optimism were related to lower quality of life and higher depression…[a] higher sense of optimism was related to lower anxiety and depression” (pp. 186). IV. Conclusion It is hoped that TIA will be less of a problem in the future on the physical-physiological front, with the Roy Adaptation Model increasingly being included into nursing praxis in order to make patients who suffer transient ischaemia attack(s) to recover. Here several themes were expounded upon: the theory (including a brief introduction and rationale); as well as the clinical problem (including a description of the clinical problem, how major concepts of the theory apply to the problem, how utilizing the theory will guide nursing practice, and how patient outcomes could improve upon applying the theory to clinical practice). REFERENCES Cohen, M., Daniela, M., & Lorber, A. (2010). “Patent foramen ovale closure in post-CVA?TIA patients: psychological distress, quality of life and optimism.” Int J Clin Pract, 64(2): 182-187. Espejo, E.P. (2010). “Predictors of Subjective Ratings of Stressor Severity: The Effects of Current Mood and Neuroticism.” Stress and Health, 27: 23-33. Holzemer, E.M., et al. (2011). “Modifying risk factors after TIA and stroke: the impact of intensive education.” The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 7(5): 372-377. Roy’s adaptation model. (2011). Available: < http://www.bc.edu/schools/son/faculty/featured/theorist/Roy_Adaptation_Model.html >. Read More