Women's Health Nursing: Principles, Process, and Assessment

Principles in Women's Nursing

Key principles in nursing women include:

• Health-centered care
• Family-centered care
• Emphasis on counseling and guidance
• Multiprofessional support
• Supporting women's decision-making
• Autonomy
• Support for self-care
• Protection of privacy and sexuality

Nursing Process in Women's Health

Special characteristics of patients include:

• Patients of different ages
• Surgical, research, infectious, radiotherapy, cytotoxic considerations
• TOP (Termination of Pregnancy), miscarriage
• Prenatal care

Process Steps

The nursing process involves:

1. Need for care
2. Needs assessment
3. Planning for nursing care
4. Implementation of nursing care plan
5. Assessment of nursing care

Nursing Assessment

Nursing assessment is conducted individually through interview, observation, and nursing records, focusing on common women's health problems.

• Addressing fear and embarrassment
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Building a nursing relationship
• Providing psychological support

Planning Nursing Care

Planning involves multiprofessional teamwork with the patient, commitment to nursing principles, and prioritization.

• Prioritization leading to goals for nursing
• Personal observation and research results
• Interview and introduction to the ward
• Individual nursing care plan and documentation (women's wishes and hopes)
• Room planning (TOP, infertility, miscarriage, infectious diseases)

Implementation of Nursing Care

Implementation is based on nursing principles, involving a primary nurse and prioritization.

• Telling the patient what will be done and why
• Importance of guidance
• Self-care promotion

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment occurs in every sector/field of the nursing process, including nursing documentation.

• Women's own assessment/evaluation of nursing care
• Ensuring continuity of nursing
• Re-checking and re-examination

Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle typically lasts 23-35 days, with a duration of 3-8 days and 30-50 ml of blood loss. Ovarian estrogen affects the proliferation stage (days 6-13), causing endometrium growth, new glands, and blood vessel formation.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS occurs 8-12 days before menstrual bleeding, typically affecting women aged 35-45. Common symptoms include:

• Headache
• Swelling of the breast and abdomen
• Fluid accumulation
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Reduced capacity at work and home

Cause: Hormonal activity, specifically high estrogen and low progestin levels.

Anatomy

Key anatomical structures include:

1. Ovaries
2. Uterus
3. Vagina
4. Endometrium
5. Follicles
6. Tuba uterina (Fallopian tubes)
7. Cervix

Gynecological Examination

Patients may experience fear and ignorance. Knowledge varies regarding sexuality, lifestyle, hygiene, and prevention. Use understandable language and terms during ultrasound and gynecological examinations.

• Important to identify and communicate normal findings
• Discuss when sex life begins and the importance of regular examinations
• Explain what is done and why, findings, and subsequent cure or procedure
• Address pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Emphasize prevention, counseling, and advice
• Promote young women's responsibility for their health

Examination Components

• Breast examination
• Abdominal examination
• Inspection of the external genitalia
• Pelvic examination by speculum
• Bimanual vaginoabdominal examination
• Rectal examination (in certain instances)