21 Problems

A PRESENTATION OF FAYE ABDELLAH”S

NURSING THEORY

PRESENTED BY: THERESA CLARK AND

HEATHER SAUNDERS
 Faye Abdellah

 “Nursing research and theorist”

 “First woman to become a surgeon general as a nurse”
 “Influenced nursing theory aimed towards the patient”
 “Graduated with a Doctoral degree from Columbia
University”
 “Theory revolved around the idea that nurses should make
decisions competently and focus primarily on the patient.
Abdellah theorized 21 problems to help influence this idea”
(Nursing Theories: Changing the World…. One Step at a Time(Faye G. Abdellah),
2009)

Image retrieved from the American Nurses Association website at

http://www.nursingworld.org/fayeglennabdellah
 Abdellah’s Theory and Nursing Influence

Physiologic

Psychological
PATIENT Sociologic
 Rehabilitation Nursing

 Focused on returning patient’s to their optimal level of

functioning physically, emotionally, and cognitively
 Areas include: Neuro, Spinal Cord Injury, TBI, Orthopedic,
Pain Management, and several progressive disease
processes
 Inpatient environment offers physical therapy ,
occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nursing care

Image retrieved from Lexington Place Nursing at:

http://www.lexingtonplacenursing.net/
 Physiologic

 Hygiene and Comfort2

 Activity, Exercise, and Sleep2
 Safety (Accidents vs. Infections)2
 Body Mechanics2
 Nutrition2
 Fluid and Electrolyte Maintenance2
 Disease Process2
 Maintaining or Improving Sensory Function2
 Oxygenation2
 Elimination2
(Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university Library)
 Psychological

 Effective verbal and nonverbal communication2

 Helping the patient accept self during and after
disease2
 Continued motivation to accomplish goals2
 Acknowledging and identifying the patient’s
emotions2
(Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university
Library)
 Sociological

 Therapeutic Relationships2
 Spirituality/ Religious Beliefs2
 Supportive Environment2
 Community Resources2
 “Being aware of domestic concerns and how they
may potentially affect care or treatment of the
patient”
(Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university Library)
 Application of Theory related to Rehabilitation
Nursing

 Physiological- PAIN, HYGIENE, SAFETY,

ELIMINATION, HEALING1

 Psychological-TRAUMA, EMOTIONS, COGNITIVE

FUNCTION1

 Sociological- Environmental Factors, Family

Dynamics1
 How the 21 Problems Theory Influences Future uses in
Practice and Potential Limitations of these Concepts:

 Future Uses in Practice: Framework relates to all fields

and specialties of nursing, this was a theory based off of
research so further innovations in research could help
clarify or breakdown topics into specialty practice
standards. For ex: how can hygiene and activity better be
applied to a newborn rather than remaining generalized.

 Potential Limitations include: research funding,

standards of care, healthcare laws and regulations, and
the later effects of a nursing shortage can affect the
number of nursing educators and researchers in the
future.
 Conclusion

 The 21 Problems theorized by Faye Abdellah directly

relate to nursing care in all specialties. It focuses on
patient care overall and can be utilized in nursing to
provide an outline that encompasses all aspects of
psychological , physiological, and sociological needs.
The theory also ensures that the nurse taking care of
the patient practices competent care and makes
precise nursing judgements.
(Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university Library)
 References

 1Faye Glenn Abdellah- National Womens Hall of Fame . (n.d.). Retrieved October 1st,
2013, from National Women's Hall of Fame:
http://www.greatwomen.org/women-of-the-hall/search-the-hall/details/2/1-
Abdellah
 2Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university
Library. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1st, 2013, from Cardinal Stritch University
Library: http://www.stritch.edu/Library/Doing-Research/Research-by-
Subject/Health-Sciences-Nursing-Theorists/Faye-Glenn-Abdellah---Twenty-One-
Nursing-Problems/
 3Lexington Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Community Giving Care Celebrating Life.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 1st, 2013, from Lexington Place Giving Care Celebrating
Life: http://www.lexingtonplacenursing.net/
 4Nursing Theories: Changing the World… One Step at a Time(Faye G. Abdellah). (2009,
July 18th). Retrieved October 1st, 2013, from Nursing Theories:
http://nursingtheories.blogspot.com/2009/07/changing-world-one-step-at-time-
faye-g.html
 5RADM Faye Glenn Abdellah,(Ret.),USPHS,EdD,ScD, RN, FAAN, 2012 Inductee. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 1st, 2013, from American Nurses Association Nursing World :
http://www.nursingworld.org/fayeglennabdellah