Confusion in mental picture of one's physical self Defining Characteristics: Nonverbal response to actual or perceived change in structure and/or function; verbalization of feelings that reflect an altered view of one's body in appearance, structure, or function; verbalization of perceptions that reflect an altered view of one's body in appearance, structure, or function; behaviours of avoidance, monitoring, or acknowledgment of one's body.
Related Factors
- Situational changes (e.g., pregnancy, temporary presence of a visible drain or tube, dressing, attached equipment)
- Permanent alterations in structure and/or function (e.g., mutilating surgery, removal of body part [internal or external])
- Malodorous lesions
- Change in voice quality
NOC Outcomes (Nursing Outcomes Classification)
Suggested NOC Labels
- Body Image
- Self-Esteem
Suggested NIC Labels
- Body Image Enhancement
- Grief Work Facilitation
- Coping Enhancement
Client Outcomes
- States or demonstrates acceptance of change or loss and an ability to adjust to lifestyle change
- Calls body part or loss by appropriate name
- Looks at and touches changed or missing body part
- Cares for changed or nonfunctioning part without inflicting trauma
- Returns to previous social involvement
- Correctly estimates relationship of body to environment
NIC Interventions (Nursing Interventions Classification)
- Use a tool such as the Body Image Instrument (BII) to identify clients who have concerns about changes in body image.
- Observe client's usual coping mechanisms during times of extreme stress and reinforce their use in the current crisis
- Acknowledge denial, anger, or depression as normal feelings when adjusting to changes in body and lifestyle.
- Identify clients at risk for body image disturbance (e.g. body builders, cancer survivors).
- Clients should not be rushed into sharing their feelings.
- Do not ask clients to explore feelings unless they have indicated a need to do so.
- Explore strengths and resources with client. Discuss possible changes in weight and hair loss; select a wig before hair loss occurs.
- Encourage client to purchase clothes that are attractive and that de-emphasize their disability.
- Allow client and others gradual exposure to the body change.
- Encourage client to discuss interpersonal and social conflicts that may arise.
- Encourage client to make own decisions, participate in plan of care, and accept both inadequacies and strengths.
- Help client accept help from others; provide a list of appropriate community resources.
- Help client describe self-ideal, identify self-criticisms, and be accepting of self.
- Encourage client to write a narrative description of their changes.
- Avoid looks of distaste when caring for clients who have had disfiguring surgery or injuries. Provide privacy; care should be completed without unnecessary exposure.
- Encourage client to continue same personal care routine that was followed before the change in body image.
- Focus on remaining abilities. Have client make a list of strengths.
Home health Care Interventions
- Assess client's stage of grieving or acceptance of body change upon return to home setting. Include the future role of sexuality in the psychological assessment of acceptance as appropriate.
- Assess family/caregiver level of acceptance of client's body changes.
- Be accepting of changes in all interactions with client and family/caregivers.
- Help client to see new or changing roles in family.
- Refer to medical social services for level of acceptance and possible financial impact of changes.
- Teach all aspects of care. Involve client and caregivers in self-care as soon as possible. Do this in stages if client still has difficulty.
- Teach family and client complications of medical condition and when to contact physician.
- Refer to occupational therapy if necessary to evaluate home setting for safety and adaptive equipment and to assist client with return to normal activities.
- If appropriate, provide home health aide support to help the client and family through ADL transition.
- Refer to physical therapy if necessary to build range-of-joint-motion (ROJM) flexibility and strength, prevent contractures.
- Assess for and promote good nutrition and sleep patterns. Adapt nutrition to specific physiological situations.