In Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, what is the primary aim of nursing actions?

In Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, what is the primary aim of nursing actions?

• A. To promote the capacity for self-care
• B. To perform medical procedures
• C. To shorten hospital stay
• D. To reduce healthcare costs

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is that nursing actions in Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory are aimed at enabling the person to care for themselves. In this theory, people have the capacity to perform self-care, but deficits occur when they cannot meet their own needs. The nurse identifies those deficits and intervenes to restore or enhance the person’s ability to engage in self-care. This is done through supportive-educative or fully compensatory approaches, with the end goal of returning the person to independent self-care. By focusing on teaching, guidance, and support—so the patient can manage daily activities, medication, hygiene, mobility, and health-promoting behaviors—the nurse promotes autonomy rather than simply performing procedures for the patient. That’s why promoting the capacity for self-care is the best answer: it stays true to the purpose of the theory, unlike options that describe performing procedures as the primary aim, or outcomes like shorter hospital stays or lower costs, which are not the central focus of the nursing actions in this framework.

The main idea tested is that nursing actions in Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory are aimed at enabling the person to care for themselves.

In this theory, people have the capacity to perform self-care, but deficits occur when they cannot meet their own needs. The nurse identifies those deficits and intervenes to restore or enhance the person’s ability to engage in self-care. This is done through supportive-educative or fully compensatory approaches, with the end goal of returning the person to independent self-care. By focusing on teaching, guidance, and support—so the patient can manage daily activities, medication, hygiene, mobility, and health-promoting behaviors—the nurse promotes autonomy rather than simply performing procedures for the patient.

That’s why promoting the capacity for self-care is the best answer: it stays true to the purpose of the theory, unlike options that describe performing procedures as the primary aim, or outcomes like shorter hospital stays or lower costs, which are not the central focus of the nursing actions in this framework.