Health and Illness Basics
This is more than the absence of disease and includes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
This first stage occurs when the person notices symptoms and realizes something may be wrong.
Symptom experience
Hospitalization is considered this type of crisis because it disrupts normal coping and routine.
Situational crisis
These people may include family, partners, friends, caregivers, spiritual leaders, or chosen support persons.
Significant others
This important process should begin at admission, not right before the client leaves.
Discharge planning
This is the personal experience of feeling unwell or having impaired functioning.
Illness
In this stage, the person acknowledges being ill and may reduce normal activities.
Assumption of sick role
This stage of hospitalization involves orientation to the unit, assessment, history, and safety screening.
Admission
Emotional support from significant others can improve coping, treatment adherence, hope, and this outcome.
Illness recovery or adjustment
This teaching method asks the client to explain instructions in their own words to confirm understanding.
Teach-back
This is the medical diagnosis or pathologic condition, while illness is the person’s experience of it.
Disease
This stage occurs when the person seeks help from a provider, clinic, urgent care, or emergency department.
Medical care contact
This stage of hospitalization includes treatment, testing, symptom management, and emotional support.
The hospital stay or treatment phase
Slow breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation are examples of this nondrug pain method.
Relaxation
Psychiatric hospitalization may differ from physical hospitalization because it often includes more focus on safety, stigma, behavior, thoughts, and this emotional function.
Coping
Illness may affect work, relationships, independence, finances, body image, and this personal sense of who someone is.
Identity
In this stage, the client accepts care, treatment, testing, or assistance from healthcare professionals.
Dependent patient role
This stage of hospitalization involves teaching, follow-up planning, home safety, and transition of care.
Discharge
Music, conversation, games, reading, or television are examples of this nondrug pain method.
Distraction
These three discharge topics are essential to review before the client leaves the hospital.
Medications, follow-up appointments, and warning signs to report
This phrase summarizes the idea that a person with chronic disease may still function, adapt, and experience well-being.
This final stage may involve returning to health, adjusting to chronic illness, rehabilitation, or a new level of functioning.
Recovery, rehabilitation, or adaptation
This defense mechanism may temporarily protect a client from overwhelming information during illness.
Denial
This nondrug pain method must be used carefully in clients with poor circulation, neuropathy, or decreased sensation.
Heat or cold therapy
A hospitalized client is being sent home with new medications, a wound-care routine, and follow-up appointments. The nurse asks the client to explain the instructions in their own words before leaving.
Using teach-back during discharge planning