How does Henderson describe the nurse's role?

How does Henderson describe the nurse's role?

• A. To restrict patient autonomy by maintaining control
• B. To assist the patient to achieve independence and recover or maintain health.
• C. To supervise family in caregiving tasks
• D. To perform all activities for the patient

Answer: (B)

The central idea here is that Henderson sees the nurse’s role as helping the patient become independent and to recover or maintain health. In Henderson’s view, nursing isn’t about doing everything for the patient; it’s about providing the support, teaching, and assistive care that enable the patient to perform activities for themselves—gaining or preserving independence as much as possible. The nurse acts as a helper or facilitator, stepping in to meet needs and then stepping back as the patient regains ability and autonomy. So, assisting the patient to achieve independence and health aligns with Henderson’s emphasis on empowering patients to care for themselves and return to or sustain their usual level of function. The other ideas—restricting autonomy, supervising others to the point of taking over tasks, or doing all activities for the patient—contrast with this goal because they keep the patient dependent rather than promoting self-care and independence.

The central idea here is that Henderson sees the nurse’s role as helping the patient become independent and to recover or maintain health. In Henderson’s view, nursing isn’t about doing everything for the patient; it’s about providing the support, teaching, and assistive care that enable the patient to perform activities for themselves—gaining or preserving independence as much as possible. The nurse acts as a helper or facilitator, stepping in to meet needs and then stepping back as the patient regains ability and autonomy.

So, assisting the patient to achieve independence and health aligns with Henderson’s emphasis on empowering patients to care for themselves and return to or sustain their usual level of function. The other ideas—restricting autonomy, supervising others to the point of taking over tasks, or doing all activities for the patient—contrast with this goal because they keep the patient dependent rather than promoting self-care and independence.