Here are your complete, exam-ready notes for Chapter: Introduction to Health and Illness - strictly as per INC BSc Nursing syllabus and ABVMU pattern.
π FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Chapter 1: Introduction to Health and Illness
(As per INC BSc Nursing Syllabus - ABVMU, Lucknow)
π· TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH AND ILLNESS
Health and illness are not opposite states. They exist on a continuous scale and are influenced by many biological, social, psychological, and environmental factors.
π· TOPIC 2: CONCEPT OF HEALTH - DEFINITIONS (WHO)
β
Definition of Health
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
β World Health Organization (WHO), 1948
- In 1986, WHO added: "Health is the extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment."
- Health is a positive concept - it is not just freedom from disease.
β
Other Important Definitions
| Authority | Definition |
|---|
| WHO (1948) | Complete physical, mental, and social well-being |
| Park | Health is a condition of the organism which measures the degree to which its aggregate vital functions are at their best |
| John Last | Health is a human condition with physical, social, and psychological dimensions |
| INC perspective | Holistic health - body, mind, and spirit functioning together |
π· TOPIC 3: DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH
Health has multiple dimensions. These must be remembered for your exam:
1. Physical Dimension
- Relates to the structure and function of the body
- Includes: proper body weight, good skin, no pain, normal vital signs
- Goal: Optimal bodily functions
2. Mental Dimension
- Ability to think clearly, reason logically and make decisions
- Involves balance with the world, others, and oneself
- Mental health = capacity to learn, grow, and handle stress
3. Social Dimension
- Reflects an individual's connections within family, community, and society
- Includes: quality of relationships, social roles, social support
- A socially healthy person interacts well with others
4. Emotional Dimension
- Ability to recognize, accept, and express emotions
- Managing stress, anxiety, and conflicts effectively
- Involves self-awareness and coping skills
5. Spiritual Dimension
- Seeking meaning and purpose in life
- Embedded in moral principles and values
- Includes faith, belief in higher power, and inner peace
6. Vocational (Occupational) Dimension
- Significance of work in providing purpose and self-realization
- Work gives economic independence and impacts mental health
7. Environmental Dimension
- Internal environment - harmonious functioning of body systems
- External environment - biological, physical, psychosocial factors outside the body
Exam Tip: Remember the 7 dimensions with: P - M - S - E - S - V - E (Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Vocational, Environmental)
π· TOPIC 4: MASLOW'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Introduced by Abraham Maslow (American Psychologist, 1943)
A theory of motivation which states that human decision-making is guided by a hierarchy of psychological needs. Lower needs must be met before moving to higher needs.
The 5 Levels (Bottom to Top of Pyramid):
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β SELF-ACTUALIZATIONβ β Highest
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β ESTEEM NEEDS β
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β SOCIAL NEEDS β
β (Love/Belonging)β
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β SAFETY NEEDS β
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β PHYSIOLOGICAL β β Lowest / Most Basic
β NEEDS β
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Detailed Explanation of Each Level:
Level 1 - Physiological Needs (Most Basic)
- Air, water, food, sleep, warmth, clothing, shelter, sex
- Without these, survival is impossible
- Nursing application: Airway, breathing, circulation - always FIRST priority
Level 2 - Safety and Security Needs
- Physical safety, financial security, steady employment, shelter
- Freedom from fear and danger
- Nursing application: Safe hospital environment, side rails, call bell
Level 3 - Social Needs (Love and Belonging)
- Affection, friendship, family bonds, sense of belonging
- Identification, learning, religion, recreation
- Nursing application: Allow family visits, therapeutic communication
Level 4 - Esteem Needs
- Self-respect, recognition, accomplishment, status, self-worth
- Includes both self-esteem and esteem from others
- Nursing application: Involve patient in care planning, praise progress
Level 5 - Self-Actualization (Highest)
- Personal growth, reaching full potential, self-awareness
- Creativity, morality, problem-solving
- Nursing application: Help patient achieve maximum independence and recovery
Characteristics of Self-Actualized People:
- Acceptance and Realism
- Problem-Centering (focus on external issues)
- Spontaneity
- Autonomy and Solitude
- Continual Freshness of Appreciation
- Peak Experiences (moments of intense joy)
Exam Tip: In nursing, physiological needs always have first priority. If a patient has breathing problem AND anxiety - treat breathing FIRST.
π· TOPIC 5: HEALTH - ILLNESS CONTINUUM
Definition:
The health-illness continuum is a concept that views health and illness as a continuous scale from high-level wellness to premature death. It is NOT a fixed state.
PREMATURE DEATH ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ HIGH-LEVEL WELLNESS
(Severe illness) (Signs & Symptoms) (No signs) (Awareness) (Growth)
Key Points:
- Health and illness are dynamic states - they keep changing
- A person moves along the continuum throughout life
- Even a person with a chronic disease can move toward wellness
- Goal of nursing is to move the patient toward the wellness end
Wellness-Illness Continuum Model (Travis, 1972):
- Left side: Premature death β Disability β Symptoms β Signs β No discernible illness
- Right side: Awareness β Education β Growth β High-level wellness
π· TOPIC 6: FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH
1. Biological Determinants
- Genetic makeup - affects growth and development
- Examples: Mental retardation, metabolic disorders, Down syndrome
- Racial and ethnic factors influence illness susceptibility
2. Lifestyle
- Social values, cultural patterns, habits
- Unhealthy lifestyle: high-fat diets, smoking, alcohol, sedentary habits
- Example: Adequate sleep PROMOTES health; poor diet CAUSES disease
3. Environment
- Internal environment: Body functions, homeostasis
- External environment: Biological (microorganisms), Physical (climate, pollution), Psychosocial (stress, relationships)
4. Socio-Economic Conditions
- Economic status, education, occupation, housing
- Better education = better health awareness = better health outcomes
- Poverty leads to malnutrition, poor sanitation, infections
5. Health Services
- Access to preventive and curative services
- Immunization programs reduce infant mortality
- Essential medicines, hospitals, healthcare workers
6. Health Policies and Programmes
- National Health Policy, NRHM, Ayushman Bharat
- Government schemes improve health outcomes in communities
π· TOPIC 7: CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING ILLNESS
Definition of Risk Factor:
Persons who are exposed to or associated with risk factors are at high risk of morbidity and mortality because of their constitution or environment.
Categories of Risk Factors:
1. Physical Situation
- Poor living conditions
- Overcrowding
- Lack of sanitation and clean water
2. Biological Situation
- Age-wise: Extremes of age (very young or very old) are more vulnerable
- Sex-wise: Certain diseases are more common in males/females
- Physiological state: Pregnancy increases risk of some conditions
- Genetic factors: Family history of diabetes, hypertension, cancer
3. Socio-Cultural Situation
- Socioeconomic class
- Lifestyle and habits (smoking, alcohol)
- Beliefs, customs, and traditions
- Education level
π· TOPIC 8: ILLNESS - TYPES AND ILLNESS BEHAVIOR
Definition of Illness:
"Illness is a response of the person to disease; it is an abnormal process in which the person's level of functioning is changed when compared with the previous level."
Illness = subjective experience of disease (how the patient FEELS)
Disease = objective pathological process (what is HAPPENING in the body)
Types of Illness:
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|
| Acute Illness | Sudden onset, short duration, symptoms resolve quickly | Common cold, appendicitis |
| Chronic Illness | Slow onset, long duration (>3 months), may not fully resolve | Diabetes, hypertension, TB |
| Subacute Illness | Between acute and chronic, moderate duration | Subacute endocarditis |
| Terminal Illness | No cure possible, leads to death | End-stage cancer |
| Communicable Illness | Spreads from person to person | COVID-19, cholera, TB |
| Non-communicable Illness | Does not spread, lifestyle related | Diabetes, CVD, obesity |
Illness Behavior (Suchman's Stages):
Illness behavior is how a person responds when they perceive themselves to be ill.
5 Stages of Illness Behavior (Suchman):
-
Stage 1 - Symptom Experience
- Person notices something is wrong (pain, discomfort)
- Decides: "I feel ill" but may deny or delay action
-
Stage 2 - Assumption of Sick Role
- Accepts the illness
- Seeks comfort from family
- Temporarily gives up normal roles
-
Stage 3 - Medical Care Contact
- Seeks professional medical advice
- Needs validation that they are truly ill
-
Stage 4 - Dependent Patient Role
- Accepts treatment and follows doctor/nurse instructions
- Becomes dependent on healthcare providers
-
Stage 5 - Recovery and Rehabilitation
- Gives up sick role
- Resumes normal roles and functions
- Returns to previous level of health/function
π· TOPIC 9: IMPACT OF ILLNESS ON PATIENT AND FAMILY
Impact on the Patient:
| Area | Effect |
|---|
| Behavioral changes | Anxiety, fear, withdrawal, regression |
| Role changes | Unable to perform normal duties (work, parenting) |
| Self-concept changes | Poor self-image, low self-esteem, body image disturbance |
| Financial changes | Loss of income, high medical expenses |
| Emotional changes | Grief, anger, depression, denial |
| Spiritual changes | Questioning faith or finding deeper spiritual meaning |
Impact on the Family:
| Area | Effect |
|---|
| Role changes | Other family members take over patient's duties |
| Financial burden | Medical expenses, loss of earning member |
| Emotional stress | Anxiety, fear, grief about patient's condition |
| Lifestyle disruption | Changes in daily routine, social activities reduced |
| Caregiver burden | Physical and emotional exhaustion of caregiver |
| Children affected | Behavioral problems in children when parent is ill |
π IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS TO MEMORIZE
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Health (WHO) | State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being |
| Illness | Abnormal process where person's functioning is changed from previous level |
| Disease | Objective pathological process in the body |
| Risk Factor | Characteristic that increases probability of developing disease |
| Health Continuum | Scale from high-level wellness to premature death |
| Wellness | Dynamic state of health in which person progresses toward highest potential |
βοΈ EXPECTED EXAM QUESTIONS (ABVMU Pattern)
Long Questions (10 marks):
- Define health. Describe the dimensions of health with examples.
- Explain Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and its application in nursing.
- Describe the health-illness continuum. What are the factors influencing health?
- Define illness. Explain the types of illness and stages of illness behavior.
Short Questions (5 marks):
- WHO definition of health
- Five levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- Risk factors for developing illness
- Impact of illness on patient and family
- Types of illness with examples
Very Short / One-liner (1-2 marks):
- Define health - WHO 1948
- Name 7 dimensions of health
- Highest need in Maslow's hierarchy
- Difference between illness and disease
- What is health-illness continuum?
Good luck for tomorrow's exam! π Focus especially on WHO definition of health, Maslow's 5 levels, and the types of illness - these are most commonly asked in ABVMU exams.