Using Nursing Theory for Optimal Adaptation to Heart Failure

This paper discusses heart failure in the context of Roy's Model of Adaptation, using the concepts of environmental factors as contributors, adaptation to the disease process, and the goal of nursing in the adaptation process. The four components of adaptation-physiologic, self-concept, role function, and interdependence are discussed in conjunction with the four stages of heart failure. A concept map is used to demonstrate the increasing role of the nurse as the disease advances.