Unit 1
NCLEX Study Guide: Health, Illness, and
Stress
Unit Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
1. Safe Patient-Centered Care: Apply safe care for patients experiencing health,
illness, and stress.
2. Caring Behavior: Exhibit empathy and therapeutic care to patients in health or
illness.
3. Communication Skills: Use entry-level communication to support decision-making
and safety.
4. Clinical Judgment: Apply judgment to ensure quality patient outcomes.
5. Collaborative Relationships: Work with patients and the healthcare team to
manage emotional responses.
Health Concepts
1. Definition of Health
• Subjective; varies per person.
• WHO definition: “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not
merely absence of disease.”
• Influenced by culture, education, and social factors.
, • Nurses must recognize personal health beliefs to provide unbiased care.
2. Wellness
• Integration of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
Physical - Body organs function normally; exercise, nutrition
Emotional - Cope effectively with stress, feeling safe
Social - Feel accepted, meaningful connections
Spiritual - Life has purpose, sense of meaning
3. Healthy Behaviors
• Family planning
• Injury prevention
• Nutrition and exercise
• Preventive care (screenings, vaccinations)
• Sleep hygiene
• Violence prevention
4. Nurse’s Role
• Understand personal health beliefs.
• Practice cultural competence to respect patient perspectives.
Illness Concepts
1. Definition
• Illness: State of imbalance in physical, mental, or social well-being.
• Disease vs Illness:
o Disease = pathologic process (e.g., infection, organ dysfunction)
o Illness = patient’s perception/experience of being unwell
2. Types of Illness
Term Definition
,Acute Sudden onset, resolves quickly
Slow onset, long-lasting, can be
Chronic
controlled
Terminal No cure, leads to death
Primary New illness
Secondary Result of another illness
Congenital Present at birth (genetic)
Idiopathic Unknown cause
3. Stages of Illness
1. Transition Stage: Nonspecific symptoms appear
2. Acceptance Stage: Sick role adopted
3. Convalescence Stage: Health restored
4. Illness Behaviors
• Actions to remedy illness:
o Seeking healthcare
o Following diet/medications
o Immunizations
• Failure to participate can worsen outcomes.
Determinants of Health
Category Example
Genetics Family history, disease risk
Behavior Diet, exercise, sleep, lifestyle
Environment Air/water quality, community
Access to
Medical Care
prevention/treatment
Social Poverty, resources, social
Factors support
, Holism (HOLSIM)
• Physical + Emotional + Social + Spiritual health = holistic wellness
• Nurses aim to restore balance across all spheres.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
1. Physiological – food, water, shelter
2. Safety & Security – protection, stability
3. Love & Belonging – relationships, community
4. Esteem – respect, self-confidence
5. Self-Actualization – personal growth, fulfillment
Stress, Adaptation, & Coping
Homeostasis & Adaptation
• Stress disrupts homeostasis (balance).
• Body uses autonomic nervous system to adapt.
• Maladaptation → illness
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Stage Description
Alarm Hormone release triggers defense; mild fever, fatigue, malaise
Body restores equilibrium; prolonged stress → maladaptive
Resistance
conditions
Exhaustion Resources depleted; critical illness or death possible
Stress
• Subjective; perception varies
• Common patient stressors: Hospitalization, dependency, loss of control, medical
bills, unfamiliar procedures
NCLEX Study Guide: Health, Illness, and
Stress
Unit Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs)
1. Safe Patient-Centered Care: Apply safe care for patients experiencing health,
illness, and stress.
2. Caring Behavior: Exhibit empathy and therapeutic care to patients in health or
illness.
3. Communication Skills: Use entry-level communication to support decision-making
and safety.
4. Clinical Judgment: Apply judgment to ensure quality patient outcomes.
5. Collaborative Relationships: Work with patients and the healthcare team to
manage emotional responses.
Health Concepts
1. Definition of Health
• Subjective; varies per person.
• WHO definition: “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not
merely absence of disease.”
• Influenced by culture, education, and social factors.
, • Nurses must recognize personal health beliefs to provide unbiased care.
2. Wellness
• Integration of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
Physical - Body organs function normally; exercise, nutrition
Emotional - Cope effectively with stress, feeling safe
Social - Feel accepted, meaningful connections
Spiritual - Life has purpose, sense of meaning
3. Healthy Behaviors
• Family planning
• Injury prevention
• Nutrition and exercise
• Preventive care (screenings, vaccinations)
• Sleep hygiene
• Violence prevention
4. Nurse’s Role
• Understand personal health beliefs.
• Practice cultural competence to respect patient perspectives.
Illness Concepts
1. Definition
• Illness: State of imbalance in physical, mental, or social well-being.
• Disease vs Illness:
o Disease = pathologic process (e.g., infection, organ dysfunction)
o Illness = patient’s perception/experience of being unwell
2. Types of Illness
Term Definition
,Acute Sudden onset, resolves quickly
Slow onset, long-lasting, can be
Chronic
controlled
Terminal No cure, leads to death
Primary New illness
Secondary Result of another illness
Congenital Present at birth (genetic)
Idiopathic Unknown cause
3. Stages of Illness
1. Transition Stage: Nonspecific symptoms appear
2. Acceptance Stage: Sick role adopted
3. Convalescence Stage: Health restored
4. Illness Behaviors
• Actions to remedy illness:
o Seeking healthcare
o Following diet/medications
o Immunizations
• Failure to participate can worsen outcomes.
Determinants of Health
Category Example
Genetics Family history, disease risk
Behavior Diet, exercise, sleep, lifestyle
Environment Air/water quality, community
Access to
Medical Care
prevention/treatment
Social Poverty, resources, social
Factors support
, Holism (HOLSIM)
• Physical + Emotional + Social + Spiritual health = holistic wellness
• Nurses aim to restore balance across all spheres.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
1. Physiological – food, water, shelter
2. Safety & Security – protection, stability
3. Love & Belonging – relationships, community
4. Esteem – respect, self-confidence
5. Self-Actualization – personal growth, fulfillment
Stress, Adaptation, & Coping
Homeostasis & Adaptation
• Stress disrupts homeostasis (balance).
• Body uses autonomic nervous system to adapt.
• Maladaptation → illness
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Stage Description
Alarm Hormone release triggers defense; mild fever, fatigue, malaise
Body restores equilibrium; prolonged stress → maladaptive
Resistance
conditions
Exhaustion Resources depleted; critical illness or death possible
Stress
• Subjective; perception varies
• Common patient stressors: Hospitalization, dependency, loss of control, medical
bills, unfamiliar procedures
