Evaluating The Use Of The Unpleasant Symptoms Theory
Analyze the historical background of unpleasant symptoms
• Evaluate the use the theory of unpleasant symptoms in nursing research
• Evaluate the use of the unpleasant symptoms theory in nursing practice
The theory of unpleasant symptoms is a holistic middle-range theory that acknowledges the concept of symptoms as dimensional. It generally stipulates the complexity and the interactive nature of the symptoms experienced (Gomes et al., 2019). It comprises three major components: the symptoms being experienced by a patient, the factors that have influenced the rise of the symptoms experienced, and the consequences of the symptom experience (Moore,2021). This paper presents the theory of unpleasant symptoms, its historical background, its use in nursing research, and its use in nursing practice.
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The theory can inform effective patient assessments of unpleasant symptoms. When assessing any patient, it is essential to look out for the normal conditions and the deviations (Wallstrom & Ekman, 2018)Evaluating The Use Of The Unpleasant Symptoms Theory. Hence, the nurse will easily know the symptoms, causes, and consequences. The entire body system is assessed for symptoms by assessing movement, texture, odors, symmetry, color size, and location. I would look for all those factors in an assessment, especially when doing an emergency assessment.
The theory of unpleasant symptoms is one of the middle-range theories that emerged in the late 20th century. It was developed in 1995 and revised in 1997. It was designed to allow nurses to understand the different symptom groups to propose non-pharmacological interventions to manage the symptoms. The theory was developed based on the assumption that groups of symptoms inherently share various characteristics, which can be explored or altered to better understand and manage symptoms (Blakeman, 2019)Evaluating The Use Of The Unpleasant Symptoms Theory. The theory eased nursing diagnoses and interventions by making nurses know the different groups of symptoms.
The theory of unpleasant symptoms has been used in nursing research to advance symptoms science. The theory allows researchers to use diverse perspectives in conducting symptoms research on any number of symptoms, provided the concepts and definitions of the theory are standardized (Blakeman, 2019). Therefore, researchers explore, test, and even criticize this theory’s applicability in nursing practice. However, despite the theory having potential applications for symptom research, there is not enough evidence of literature on the design and analysis of research aiming to understand symptoms. According to Blakeman, only 64 of the 655 research studies he identified in his review have been published two decades later, focusing explicitly on symptoms and the theory of unpleasant symptoms (2019)Evaluating The Use Of The Unpleasant Symptoms Theory. However, the theory still has the potential to support symptoms and symptoms management research.
Over time, the use of the theory of unpleasant symptoms has progressively increased internationally. The theory has informed nursing practice through the contributions of more effective interventions. Since nurses can understand the symptom experiences, their influence, and consequences, they can develop better care interventions. Specifically, the theory has been applied in several ways. The first one is symptoms assessment, addressing the intensity, distress, timing, and quality of the symptoms. History taking also uses the theory by addressing the possible psychological and physiological influences of the symptoms. Also, the theory is used in developing nursing interventions that are susceptible to change. Regularly assessing performance outcomes to monitor change is also another application. Also, the theory is used in developing care plans that encourage the self-monitoring and self-care of the patient (Lenz, 2018)Evaluating The Use Of The Unpleasant Symptoms Theory.
The theory of unpleasant symptoms helps understand the relationship between symptoms experiences, their influence, and the consequences, hence improving interventions. It has been effectively applied to nursing research and practice since it is non-linear and causal. Substantial research evidence on the further development of the theory is lacking. However, more research is ongoing.
References
Blakeman, J. R. (2019). An integrative review of the theory of unpleasant symptoms. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(5), 946-961. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13906
Gomes, G. L. L., Oliveira, F. M. R. L. D., Barbosa, K. T. F., Medeiros, A. C. T. D., Fernandes, M. D. G. M., & Nóbrega, M. M. L. D. (2019). Theory of unpleasant symptoms: critical analysis. Texto & Contexto-Enfermagem, 28. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2017-0222
Lenz, E. R. (2018). Application of the theory of unpleasant symptoms in practice: A challenge for nursing. Investigación en Enfermería: Imagen y Desarrollo, 20(1). https://www.redalyc.org/journal/1452/145254388001/145254388001.pdf
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Moore, A. K. (2021). The Holistic Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 08980101211031706. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F08980101211031706
Wallström, S., & Ekman, I. (2018). Person-centered care in clinical assessment. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 17(7), 576-579. https://doi.org/10.1177/147451511875813 Evaluating The Use Of The Unpleasant Symptoms Theory
