Virginia Henderson

Physiological Components

1. Breathe normally 2. Eat and drink adequately 3. Eliminate body wastes 4. Move and maintain desirable postures 5. Sleep and rest 6. Select suitable clothes - dress and undress 7. Maintain body temperature within normal range by adjusting clothing and modifying environment 8. Keep the body clean and well-groomed and protect the integument 9. Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring others

Psychological Aspects of Communicating and Learning

10. Communicate with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears, or opinions. 14. Learn, discover, or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal development and health and use the available health facilities.

Sociologically Oriented to Occupation and Recreation

12. Work in such a way that there is sense of accomplishment 13. Play or participate in various forms of recreation

Health

Although not explicitly defined in Henderson's theory, health was taken to mean balance in all realms of human life. It is equated with the independence or ability to perform activities without any aid in the 14 components or basic human needs.

Environment

Although the Need Theory did not explicitly define the environment, Henderson stated that maintaining a supportive environment conducive for health is one of the elements of her 14 activities for client assistance. Henderson's theory supports the tasks of the private and the public health sector or agencies in keeping the people healthy.

Individual

Henderson states that individuals have basic needs that are component of health and require assistance to achieve health and independence or a peaceful death

Nursing

She defined nursing as "the unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge.

Spiritual and Moral

Worship according to one's faith

14 COMPONENTS OF THE NEED THEORY

show a holistic approach to nursing that covers the physiological, psychological, spiritual and social needs.

Virginia Henderson

was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1897

NEED THEORY

· Henderson's widely known contributions to nursing is the Need Theory. The Need Theory emphasizes on the importance of increasing the patient's independence and focus on the basic human needs so that progress after hospitalization would not be delayed. The Need Theory is discussed further below.