concept analysis

Uncertainty

Uncertainty refers to an expected, unavoidable feeling emerging from being in an ambiguous situation and it is a feeling or behavior that can be modified (Zhang, 2017, November). I want to conduct a concept analysis on the concept of uncertainty. The aim of this analysis is to comprehend what the concept of uncertainty does to people in the nursing discipline. I will provide various definitions and uses of this concept. I will use Wilson's method to provide the necessary steps to effectively evaluate uncertainty. I will provide some factors that contribute to the increase in uncertainty in nursing and I will also propose an alternate model that can be used to alleviate uncertainty in nursing. Besides, the paper will discuss the negative impacts of uncertainty. Understanding the concept of uncertainty is not only important in providing the best care to patients but also in properly handle unexpected situations that trigger uncertainty.

Attributes of the Concept of Uncertainty

There are three main attributes of the concept of uncertainty: temporality, probability, and perception. Uncertainty can be defined as a dynamic state in which an individual is unable to sufficiently assign probabilities for the proper outcomes. Probability helps define if something is likely to happen. According to information theory, uncertainty is associated with the availability of choices in a situation or event and with the probability that a certain option will actually occur (Cypress, 2016). Perception refers to an observation, an awareness of the surrounding via sensation and cognition. This implies that for something to be uncertain, it must be felt and perceived as uncertain (Cypress, 2016). This sort of perception can create different forms of uncertainty and thus reduce one's confidence. Finally, uncertainty has the aspect of temporality. This means that uncertainty has the quality of being temporal in terms of time (Cypress, 2016). This occurs when a person is unaware of what may happen in the future, or the time it may take to clear or reduce the ambiguity and vagueness. This is very likely in nursing practice associated with illness in unexpected environmental conditions because the ability to plan for the future is infringed.

Model Case

Retta has is a 21-year old lady who is taken to the hospital to see a nursing practitioner by her boyfriend. She has been having recurrent infections in her genital area for about one year now. She has been complaining of lower back pain, itchiness around the vulva, and pain while passing urine. During the assessment, the NP notes Retta’s uneasiness and trigger to scratch her genitals but she cannot in such an environment. The NP tells Retta and her boyfriend that she could be suffering from UTI because of the itchiness and urge to urinate. Retta states that she has received countless treatments on the same but it has been recurring like a week after treatment and she has some kind of discharge that she suspects could be a yeast infection. Her boyfriend expresses the costs that they have both incurred while treating the infections and that they hope for a long-lasting solution. He even blames himself for probably infecting Retta since they are both sexually active.

Retta’s case is a model example that encompasses all the attributes of uncertainty. There is uncertainty on whether the infection is a UTI or yeast infection. The time aspect is present when the boyfriend insists on a long-term solution to the problem. The boyfriend also blames himself for the situation. The antecedents of Retta’s and her boyfriend’s uncertainty are unpredictability, ambiguity, poor perception, etc. The consequences that they both face are fear that the medication may not work stress, and depression.

References

Brandão, M. A. G., Barros, A. L. B. L. D., Caniçali, C., Bispo, G. S., & Lopes, R. O. P. (2019). Nursing theories in the conceptual expansion of good practices in nursing. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 72, 577-581.

Cypress, B. S. (2016). Understanding uncertainty among critically ill patients in the intensive care unit using Mishel’s theory of uncertainty of illness. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 35(1), 42-49.

Zhang, Y. (2017, November). Uncertainty in Illness: Theory Review, Application, and Extension. In Oncology Nursing Forum (Vol. 44, No. 6).

Questions

I would like you all to guide me on the best tools to measure the levels of uncertainty in both Retta and her boyfriend. I would also highly appreciate any corrections or comments on my initial post.