In Henderson's view, what best completes the statement: 'The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual to gain independence as rapidly as possible by performing activities that the patient would perform unaided if they had the necessary...'?

In Henderson's view, what best completes the statement: 'The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual to gain independence as rapidly as possible by performing activities that the patient would perform unaided if they had the necessary...'?

• A. Strength, will, or knowledge
• B. Time, money, education
• C. Family support
• D. Medical compliance

Answer: (A)

In Henderson’s framework, the nurse’s unique role is to help the person achieve independence by assisting with activities they would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge. This emphasizes enabling self-care by addressing three essential capabilities: physical power (strength), motivation to act (will), and understanding of what to do (knowledge). Therefore, the best completion is the option that lists strength, will, or knowledge. The other options miss the core idea—the patient’s own capacity for self-care—and instead point to external resources or behaviors (time, money, education; family support; medical compliance) that don’t directly describe the person’s ability to perform self-care activities.

In Henderson’s framework, the nurse’s unique role is to help the person achieve independence by assisting with activities they would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge. This emphasizes enabling self-care by addressing three essential capabilities: physical power (strength), motivation to act (will), and understanding of what to do (knowledge). Therefore, the best completion is the option that lists strength, will, or knowledge. The other options miss the core idea—the patient’s own capacity for self-care—and instead point to external resources or behaviors (time, money, education; family support; medical compliance) that don’t directly describe the person’s ability to perform self-care activities.