A P R E S E N T A T I O N O F F A Y E A B D E L L A H ” S
N U R S I N G T H E O R Y
P R E S E N T E D B Y : T H E R E S A C L A R K A N D
H E A T H E R S A U N D E R S

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“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”
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“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

Psychological
Physiologic
PATIENT
Sociologic

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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/

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Hygiene and Comfort 2
Activity, Exercise, and Sleep 2
Safety (Accidents vs. Infections) 2
Body Mechanics 2
Nutrition 2
Fluid and Electrolyte Maintenance 2
Disease Process 2
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Maintaining or Improving Sensory Function 2
Oxygenation 2
 Elimination 2
(Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university Library)

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Effective verbal and nonverbal communication 2
Helping the patient accept self during and after disease 2
Continued motivation to accomplish goals 2
 Acknowledging and identifying the patient’s emotions 2
(Faye Glenn Abdellah- Twenty-One Nursing Problems-Cardinal Stritch university
Library)

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Therapeutic Relationships 2
Spirituality/ Religious Beliefs 2
Supportive Environment 2
Community Resources 2
“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)

 Physiological- PAIN, HYGIENE, SAFETY,
ELIMINATION, HEALING 1
 Psychological-TRAUMA, EMOTIONS, COGNITIVE
FUNCTION 1
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Sociological- Environmental Factors, Family
Dynamics 1

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

 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)

 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-timefaye-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