Potter: Basic Nursing, 7th Edition

Chapter 1: Health and Wellness Key Points Print Health and wellness are not merely the absence of disease and illness. Many variables determine the health status of an individual or community. A persons state of health, wellness, or illness depends on individual values, personality, and lifestyle. Unsatisfied needs motivate human beings. Basic human needs must be met before an individual is able to focus on higher-level needs. The health promotion model focuses on behaviors motivated by the desire to increase well-being and actualize human potential. Holistic health models of nursing promote optimal health by incorporating active participation of the patient in improving the health state. Holistic nursing interventions complement standard medical therapy. Internal and external variables influence health beliefs and practices, and you consider these when planning care. Health promotion activities maintain or enhance health. Wellness education teaches patients how to care for themselves. Illness prevention activities protect against health threats and thus maintain an optimal level of health. Nursing incorporates health promotion, wellness, and illness prevention activities rather than simply treating illness. The three levels of prevention are primary, secondary, and tertiary. Risk factors threaten health, influence health practices, and are important considerations in illness prevention activities. Risk factors involve genetic or physiological variables, age, physical environment, and lifestyle. Improvement in health often requires a change in health behaviors. Illness behavior influences how patients use the health care system. Illness has many effects on the patient and family, including changes in behavior and emotions, family roles and dynamics, body image, and self-concept.