NURS FPX 4015 Assignment 2 Enhancing Holistic Nursing Care with the 3Ps

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Capella university

NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care

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Enhancing Holistic Nursing Care with the 3Ps

Nursing practice is grounded in key scientific disciplines that support effective clinical judgment, informed decision-making, and compassionate, patient-centered care. Core areas such as holistic nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, commonly called the “3Ps,” are essential to delivering safe, high-quality healthcare (Haryanti & Rahman, 2024). This assessment examines the importance of these domains, explores their interrelationship, and demonstrates their practical application in clinical settings to enhance patient outcomes.

Holistic Nursing Care

Holistic nursing care is a method that acknowledges and addresses the entire individual (mind, body, spirit, emotions, and environment) instead of concentrating only on disease symptoms. The philosophy is based on the interrelatedness of all components of a patient’s health, incorporating emotional, spiritual, and cultural aspects into medical therapy. It also fosters therapeutic nurse-patient relationships, where empathy, respect, and attentive listening are essential to effective care provision (Kinchen, 2021).

The advantages of holistic nursing care to patients are notable. Through the treatment of more than physical symptoms, patients tend to feel less stressed, manage pain more effectively, and have a more positive emotional state, which leads to quicker healing and higher satisfaction with care. Research indicates that patients who have been holistically cared for exhibit enhanced compliance with treatment plans and express a greater sense of control over their well-being (Haryanti & Rahman, 2024). For nurses, it creates professional fulfillment and resilience. 

Holistic care fosters stronger patient relationships, which in turn increases work satisfaction and decreases burnout. Moreover, holistically practicing nurses are more successful in advocating for one-on-one care, promoting patient autonomy, and building trust (Kinchen, 2021). Holistic nursing not only encourages the provision of care that is empathetic, patient-centered, and compassionate but also enhances the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship, leading to enhanced health outcomes and a more fulfilling nursing profession.

Role of Pathophysiology in Nursing Practice

Nursing relies heavily on studying pathophysiology, which focuses on how the body’s normal physiological processes are altered due to disease or injury (Nakamura et al., 2022). Being familiar with how illnesses work helps nurses detect signs and symptoms, anticipate complications, and deliver effective, proven care. It enables nurses to identify the primary causes of a patient’s illness. For example, understanding the pathophysiology of heart failure allows a nurse to recognize how a decrease in cardiac output affects the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and integumentary systems. After that, the nurse should check for signs of excessive fluid, difficulty breathing, decreased urine output, and skin damage from edema (Schwinger, 2021). Learning about other countries supports the planning of more complete and proactive care.

Through pathophysiology, nurses learn how diseases can impact a patient’s daily life, emotional state, and other health issues. In a patient with diabetes, understanding insulin resistance enables nurses to accurately monitor blood glucose levels, as well as assess wound healing, kidney function, and mental status (Nakamura et al., 2022). Nursing actions take into account the whole person, not only certain signs or symptoms. 

Role of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice

Pharmacology deals with how drugs interact with people and animals, and it plays an essential role in nursing. Having a strong understanding of pharmacology enables nurses to properly select, administer, and monitor medicines, taking into account the patient’s comprehensive health situation. A nurse should understand the actions, side effects, benefits, and interactions that medications might have to ensure patients are safe and that treatment works well (Murry et al., 2025).

Nurses rely on pharmacological knowledge to determine the correct dosages, methods of administration, and timing for medications. For example, to use insulin properly, it is essential to understand its onset, peak, and duration so that the dose can be administered at the right time for meals and blood sugar changes. Assessing results involves identifying the positive impacts and monitoring for any adverse reactions (Beran et al., 2021). If a nurse gives opioids, they must look for signs of respiratory depression as well as check for reduced pain and how well the patient can function.

Pharmacology also integrates with holistic care, as it considers the mental and social aspects of health. An anxious patient might require treatment that includes drugs as well as other methods, and knowing the side effects of anxiolytics (such as drowsiness or dependency) helps nurses provide accurate guidance and comfort. If nurses learn about a patient’s culture and financial situation, they can adjust the patient’s medication schedule and suggest more affordable treatments (Murry et al., 2025). Nurses utilize pharmacology to treat each person individually, taking into account their unique needs and the specific situations they face, which results in comprehensive care.

Role of Physical Assessment in Nursing Practice

Physical assessment is important in nursing because it supports nurses in gathering, examining, and interpreting information about a patient’s health. Using inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation, nurses can identify body problems, assess how systems are functioning, and monitor for changes. All these details help guide the clinician in making decisions and planning care. A detailed physical assessment by nurses makes it possible to identify early signs of deterioration or complications, allowing for quick action. If one side of the breath sounds is noticeably different from the other during auscultation, it could suggest a pneumothorax, so immediate action is required. Likewise, spotting edema in someone suffering from heart failure can show fluid buildup and help doctors modify treatment (Baqdunes et al., 2021). It can show what is happening now and also give a picture of how the current therapies are working.

Information gathered through assessment is key for providing individualized care. For example, someone with limited movement and redness in their bony areas must have a special plan to prevent pressure ulcers. The nurse frequently moves patients, uses items that prevent bed sores, and checks their skin regularly. Frequent evaluations by nurses enable them to monitor progress and adjust interventions accordingly based on the results (Hultin et al., 2021). By conducting a physical assessment, nurses can gain a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s situation and provide care that supports their recovery. 

Integration and Application of 3Ps

Integrating the 3Ps assessment is essential in delivering comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care. These three domains work synergistically to inform clinical decision-making, promote early detection of complications, and support individualized treatment plans that improve patient outcomes across various healthcare settings.

Example 1

One example of integrating pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment is in the management of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a hospital setting. Understanding the pathophysiology of COPD, including chronic inflammation and airway narrowing, helps nurses anticipate symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnea, and decreased oxygen saturation. Pharmacological knowledge guides the administration of bronchodilators and corticosteroids, including monitoring for side effects like tachycardia or immunosuppression. A detailed physical assessment involving auscultation of breath sounds, evaluation of respiratory effort, and pulse oximetry helps the nurse assess the effectiveness of treatment and make timely decisions regarding oxygen therapy or escalation of care (Baqdunes et al., 2021). Integrating these domains ensures a comprehensive and responsive care plan tailored to the patient’s respiratory condition.

Example 2

Another example involves a diabetic patient with a foot ulcer in an outpatient wound care clinic. The nurse applies knowledge of pathophysiology to understand how poor circulation and neuropathy impair wound healing. Pharmacology informs the use of antibiotics and glycemic control medications, while physical assessment is critical for evaluating the wound’s appearance, signs of infection, and peripheral perfusion (Nakamura et al., 2022). These insights enable the nurse to develop a targeted treatment plan that incorporates medication management, wound care, and patient education, thereby promoting healing and preventing complications such as infection or amputation.

Conclusion

Holistic nursing care integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects to support the whole person. Knowledge of the 3Ps assessment equips nurses to provide safe, effective, and personalized care. These domains work together to inform clinical decisions, enhance patient outcomes, and promote overall well-being. By applying this integrated approach, nurses can deliver high-quality, compassionate care in any setting.

References

 Baqdunes, M. W., Leap, J., Young, M., Kaura, A., & Cheema, T. (2021). Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 44(1), 74–90. https://doi.org/10.1097/cnq.0000000000000341 

Beran, D., Porras, M., Mba, C. M., & Mbanya, J. C. (2021). A global perspective on the issue of access to insulin. Diabetologia, 64(5), 954–962. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05375-2 

Haryanti, D. Y., & Rahman, S. A. (2024). Complementary therapy and holistic nursing care plan. International Applied Science, 3(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.32528/ias.v3i1.471 

NURS FPX 4015 Assignment 2 Enhancing Holistic Nursing Care with the 3Ps

Hultin, L., Gunningberg, L., Coleman, S., & Karlsson, A. (2021). Pressure ulcer risk assessment—registered nurses´ experiences of using PURPOSE T: A focus group study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(2), 231–239. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15901 

Kinchen, E. (2021). Holistic nurse practitioner care including promotion of shared decision-making. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 40(4), 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101211062704 

Murry, L. T., Kiersma, M. E., Janis, S., Catledge, K., Travlos, D. V., & Engle, J. P. (2025). Trends and considerations for interprofessional continuing education activities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 8(5), 398–405. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.70010 

Nakamura, K., Miyoshi, T., Yoshida, M., Akagi, S., Saito, Y., Ejiri, K., Matsuo, N., Ichikawa, K., Iwasaki, K., Naito, T., Namba, Y., Yoshida, M., Sugiyama, H., & Ito, H. (2022). Pathophysiology and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy and heart failure in patients with diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073587 

NURS FPX 4015 Assignment 2 Enhancing Holistic Nursing Care with the 3Ps

Schwinger, R. H. G. (2021). Pathophysiology of heart failure. Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, 11(1), 263–276. https://doi.org/10.21037/cdt-20-302