Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Who developed the nursing theory that assists clients in maintaining self-care activities?

1. Virginia Henderson

2. Nightingale

3. Dorothea Orem

4. Jean Watson

The correct answer is: Dorothea Orem

The nursing theory that assists clients in maintaining self-care activities was developed by Dorothea Orem. Her Self-Care Deficit Theory emphasizes the importance of individuals taking an active role in their own care and highlights the significance of self-care in promoting health and well-being. Orem's framework outlines how nurses can support clients who are unable to fully care for themselves due to various reasons, such as illness or disability, by assessing their needs and providing appropriate interventions that encourage self-care. Orem identified three interconnected theories: the theory of self-care, the theory of self-care deficit, and the theory of nursing systems. Together, these theories articulate the necessity for individuals to engage in self-care and the nurse's role in facilitating this process. This focus on self-care empowers clients to manage their health more effectively and fosters greater independence. While Virginia Henderson emphasized the importance of meeting basic human needs, and Nightingale concentrated on the environment's role in health, these concepts differ from Orem’s focused approach to self-care. Jean Watson’s theory centers around caring and the nurse-patient relationship but does not specifically target self-care activities in the same manner as Orem's work.