THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

14 Basic Human Needs

Virginia Avenel Henderson
(1897-1996)
First Lady of Nursing
First Truly International Nurse
She identified fourteen basic needs. She postulated that the unique
function of the nurse is to assist the clients, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery,
that clients would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength,
will or knowledge.
The nurse is temporarily the consciousness of the unconscious, the
love of life for the suicidal, the leg of the amputee, the eyes of the
newly blind, a means of locomotion for the infant, knowledge and
confidence for the mother, the mouthpiece for those too weak or
withdrawn to speak and so on.
The

14 components
Breathe normally. Eat and drink adequately.
Eliminate body wastes.
Move and maintain desirable postures.
Sleep and rest.
Select suitable clothes-dress and undress.
Maintain body temperature within normal range by adjusting
clothing and modifying environment
Keep the body clean and well groomed and protect the
integument
Avoid dangers in the environment and avoid injuring others.
Communicate with others in expressing emotions, needs, fears,
or opinions.
Worship according to ones faith.
Work in such a way that there is a sense of accomplishment.
Play or participate in various forms of recreation.
Learn, discover, or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal
development and health and use the available health facilities.