Case Report

Application of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report

Volume: 2 Number: 3 September 30, 2026
EN TR

Application of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report

Abstract

Postoperative paraplegia is a rare but devastating complication of lumbar disc herniation surgery that often results in long-term functional dependence and complex nursing care needs. This case report describes the application of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the nursing care of a 45-year-old man who developed permanent paraplegia following lumbar disc herniation surgery despite revision surgery. The patient's clinical condition was further complicated by an advanced infected sacral pressure injury, malnutrition, hypoalbuminemia, previous gastrointestinal bleeding, and polyneuropathy, resulting in extensive self-care deficits. Nursing care was systematically planned according to Orem's theoretical framework by assessing the patient's self-care agency, therapeutic self-care demands, self-care deficits, and appropriate nursing systems. Four individualized nursing care plans were developed by integrating Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory with NANDA International (NANDA-I) nursing diagnoses, the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), and the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). Nursing interventions focused on pressure injury management, mobility support, promotion of self-care activities, nutritional management, patient and family education, and rehabilitation. During follow-up, no additional pressure injuries, contractures, infections, or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding were observed. The patient actively participated in rehabilitation within his functional capacity, while family caregivers supported the continuity of care as dependent-care agents. This case demonstrates that Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory provides a practical and systematic framework for individualized nursing care in patients with complex postoperative neurological complications. Integrating theory-based nursing care with standardized nursing languages may facilitate clinical decision-making, promote self-care agency, and support rehabilitation outcomes in similar patients.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

None

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted as a case report. Written informed consent for publication was obtained from the patient prior to the preparation of this manuscript.

Thanks

The authors sincerely thank the patient for providing written informed consent for publication and for allowing this case to be shared for educational and scientific purposes.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

​Internal Diseases Nursing​

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2 Number: 3

APA
Bahadıroğlu, S., & Alankaya, N. (2026). Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report. Northern Journal of Health Sciences, 2(3), 237-250. https://doi.org/10.71340/njhs.2013885
AMA
1.Bahadıroğlu S, Alankaya N. Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report. Northern Journal of Health Sciences. 2026;2(3):237-250. doi:10.71340/njhs.2013885
Chicago
Bahadıroğlu, Sevil, and Naile Alankaya. 2026. “Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report”. Northern Journal of Health Sciences 2 (3): 237-50. https://doi.org/10.71340/njhs.2013885.
EndNote
Bahadıroğlu S, Alankaya N (September 1, 2026) Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report. Northern Journal of Health Sciences 2 3 237–250.
IEEE
[1]S. Bahadıroğlu and N. Alankaya, “Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report”, Northern Journal of Health Sciences, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 237–250, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.71340/njhs.2013885.
ISNAD
Bahadıroğlu, Sevil - Alankaya, Naile. “Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report”. Northern Journal of Health Sciences 2/3 (September 1, 2026): 237-250. https://doi.org/10.71340/njhs.2013885.
JAMA
1.Bahadıroğlu S, Alankaya N. Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report. Northern Journal of Health Sciences. 2026;2:237–250.
MLA
Bahadıroğlu, Sevil, and Naile Alankaya. “Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report”. Northern Journal of Health Sciences, vol. 2, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 237-50, doi:10.71340/njhs.2013885.
Vancouver
1.Sevil Bahadıroğlu, Naile Alankaya. Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in the Nursing Care of a Patient With Postoperative Paraplegia Following Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Case Report. Northern Journal of Health Sciences. 2026 Sep. 1;2(3):237-50. doi:10.71340/njhs.2013885