| Abstract |
Systems theory is applied to the practice of nursing as a basis of expanding the role and responsibilities of nurses. A taxonomy of the nursing process is employed, from assessment to evaluation, and nursing care plans resulting from the application of systems theory form a guide for adequately recording aspects of patient care for use in nursing audits. Authors contributing to the book explore such topics as theory structure and development (concepts and principles), living systems in an interlocking hierarchy, general systems theory as a framework for nursing, entropy and evaluation in the nursing process, a social systems assessment (culture and family), nursing care plans using a general systems framework, the need for nursing care plans, tools for teaching (general systems theory nursing care plans and a design for a clinical nursing course), long forms for general systems theory nursing care plans (patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, multiple problems, cerebrovascular accidents, trauma, and multiple sclerosis), short forms for general systems theory nursing care plans (emergency room care, multiple entropies, cardiovascular disease, and dialysis), students' views of systems theory, and the applicability of systems theory to the nursing system. A glossary of terms and an index are provided. Illustrations and tabular data are included. |
