How The Roy Adaptation Model And Neuman Systems Model Suppor

How the Roy Adaptation Model and Neuman Systems Model Support Nursing Care for Sgt. Johns

Sgt. Eddie Johns, recovering from a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures after an explosion in Afghanistan, faces several physical, psychological, and social challenges. His journey encompasses managing pain, regaining mobility, adjusting to new self-concept, and dealing with emotional stressors. The use of the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM) and Neuman Systems Model (NSM) provides a comprehensive framework for nursing care, emphasizing holistic nursing approaches tailored to Sgt. Johns’s unique needs.

The Roy Adaptation Model (Roy, 2009) focuses on identifying and promoting adaptive responses across four modes: physiological, self-concept, role function, and interdependence. In Sgt. Johns’s case, the nurse can utilize RAM to assess how his physical injury influences his self-concept—particularly his identity as a productive individual and a servicemember—and facilitate interventions that restore or enhance his sense of self. For example, addressing his pain, mobility limitations, and feelings of helplessness directly impacts his self-concept mode by fostering a sense of control and reducing feelings of inadequacy. Support for role function, such as guiding him toward resuming daily activities and possible employment, further promotes adaptive responses.

Guided by Roy’s theory, listening actively to Sgt. Johns’s personal story is paramount because it provides insight into his perception of his condition, emotional state, and what he considers meaningful in his recovery process. This narrative helps the nurse to individualize care, foster trust, and reinforce positive adaptive responses, rather than mistaking physical assessments or secondhand information for the patient's lived experience. For example, understanding his frustration over not returning to work or his feelings about his injury can direct interventions aimed at restoring his perceived self-worth and identity.

The Neuman Systems Model complements this approach by emphasizing the interconnectedness of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual variables, and how stressors impact an individual’s stability. From his case, four stressors identified include: the physical trauma and pain, emotional distress from being away from comrades and uncertainty about recovery, financial and role-related stress due to job loss, and social stressors such as separation from his community and loved ones.

Developing a care plan based on the Neuman Systems Model involves identifying these stressors and implementing interventions that promote system stability and facilitate adaptation. This includes managing pain effectively to reduce physiological stress, providing psychological support and counseling to address emotional stress, promoting social connection through visitation and communication, and supporting role redefinition as he adapts to his new physical limitations. Continual assessment and intervention are vital to prevent system destabilization and foster resilience in Sgt. Johns.

References

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• Neuman, B., & Fawcett, J. (2002). The Neuman Systems Model (4th ed.). Pearson.
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