The Relationship Between Kolcaba's Comfort Theory and Orthopedic Nursing
The Relationship Between Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory
And Orthopedic Nursing by Myra D. Iliano
St. Joseph’s College of Maine
NU 500 Conceptual Bases for Nursing
C. Andrew Martin, Instructor
March 1, 2012
Abstract Katherine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort establishes a framework for care provided by the nurse by defining the state of comfort as it exists in various forms and contexts. The achievement of optimal health through the relief of pain is asserted as the foundation of all nursing care (Kolcaba, 2003). That focus is shared with the orthopedic nurse in the surgical post-operative in-patient setting. The nursing interventions supported by the taxonomy of this theory are easily analyzed and utilized in the orthopedic environment. The metaparadigm concepts are also a perfect in this type of venue. Examples of nursing actions specific to the orthopedic environment will be utilized to explain the relevance of this theory’s concepts to maintaining the well-being of the patient. An outline of the process of change will be offered in ordered to assimilate this theory into a typical nursing setting.
Choice of Appropriate Nursing Theory The field of orthopedics involves the ongoing care and support of those patients experiencing acute bone trauma or chronic bone diseases. It also involves medical treatment and pain management of patients who must undergo surgeries, such as joint manipulations, repairs, or replacements. The nursing care which supports this practice must address all needs which may arise from that repair or other treatment rendered by the physician. Specialized technical skills, accurately defined interventions, therapeutic nurse-patient communication, positive caregiver attitude, and effective continuity of care are important in the overall care provided by the effective orthopedic nurse (American Society of Registered Nurses, 2008). As an orthopedic nurse, I feel that there is one nursing theory which clearly addresses all of those
And Orthopedic Nursing by Myra D. Iliano
St. Joseph’s College of Maine
NU 500 Conceptual Bases for Nursing
C. Andrew Martin, Instructor
March 1, 2012
Abstract Katherine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort establishes a framework for care provided by the nurse by defining the state of comfort as it exists in various forms and contexts. The achievement of optimal health through the relief of pain is asserted as the foundation of all nursing care (Kolcaba, 2003). That focus is shared with the orthopedic nurse in the surgical post-operative in-patient setting. The nursing interventions supported by the taxonomy of this theory are easily analyzed and utilized in the orthopedic environment. The metaparadigm concepts are also a perfect in this type of venue. Examples of nursing actions specific to the orthopedic environment will be utilized to explain the relevance of this theory’s concepts to maintaining the well-being of the patient. An outline of the process of change will be offered in ordered to assimilate this theory into a typical nursing setting.
Choice of Appropriate Nursing Theory The field of orthopedics involves the ongoing care and support of those patients experiencing acute bone trauma or chronic bone diseases. It also involves medical treatment and pain management of patients who must undergo surgeries, such as joint manipulations, repairs, or replacements. The nursing care which supports this practice must address all needs which may arise from that repair or other treatment rendered by the physician. Specialized technical skills, accurately defined interventions, therapeutic nurse-patient communication, positive caregiver attitude, and effective continuity of care are important in the overall care provided by the effective orthopedic nurse (American Society of Registered Nurses, 2008). As an orthopedic nurse, I feel that there is one nursing theory which clearly addresses all of those
References: American Society of Registered Nurses (2008). Essentials of orthopaedic nurse care. Medical News Today. Retrieved February 28, 2012, from http://www.asrn.org. Current Nursing Organization (2011). Comfort theory by Katherine Kolcaba. Retrieved February 2, 2012, from www.currentnursing.com Kolcaba, K. (2003). Comfort theory and practice: A vision for holistic health care and research. New York: Springer. Kolcaba, K. (2001). Evolution of the mid range theory of comfort for outcomes research, Nursing Outlook, 49(2). McEwen, M., & Wills, E.M. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Merkel, S. (2007). Comfort theory: A framework for pain management nursing practice.[PowerPoint slides]. Nursing Theory Organization (2011). Kolcaba’s theory of comfort. Retrieved February 2, 2012, from www.nursing-theory.org/