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
- Case reports
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Nursing care
- Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory
- Paraplegia.
Supporting Institution
Project Number
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- Botana Gronek, M., Bleijlevens, M., Vluggen, S., Moonen, E., Van Dijk, A., Erkens, P., Zwakhalen, S., Hamers, J., & Meijers, J. (2025). Nursing theories as guidance for autonomy support in activities of daily living: a scoping review. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 479. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-02990-5
- Chen, H. L., Cai, J. Y., Du, L., Shen, H. W., Yu, H. R., Song, Y. P., & Zha, M. L. (2020). Incidence of Pressure Injury in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing: Official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, 47(3), 215–223. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000633
- Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine. (2021). Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment following spinal cord injury: Clinical practice guideline (2nd ed.). Paralyzed Veterans of America. https://pva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cpg_pressure-ulcer.pdf
- Costa, F., Oertel, J., Zileli, M., Restelli, F., Zygourakis, C. C., & Sharif, S. (2024). Role of surgery in primary lumbar disk herniation: WFNS spine committee recommendations. World Neurosurgery: X, 22, 100276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wnsx.2024.100276
- Deng, Q., Kang, L., Zhu, S., Luo, W., Qing, J., Zhong, S., Wu, Y., Lu, J., & Dong, H. (2021). Effects of nursing based on Orem's self-care model on self-care efficacy, quality of life and adverse emotions in patients with advanced lung cancer. American Journal of Translational Research, 13(4), 2983–2989.
- GBD 2021 Low Back Pain Collaborators (2023). Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain, 1990-2020, its attributable risk factors, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet. Rheumatology, 5(6), e316–e329. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00098-X
- Heidari, M., Aazami, S., Sayehmiri, K., & Taghinejad, H. (2024). The Effect of Implementing Orem's Self-Care Model on the Quality of Life of Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Quasi-Experimental Study. The Journal of Tehran Heart Center, 19(Suppl 1), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.18502/jthc.v19is1.18477
- International Council of Nurses. (2021). The ICN code of ethics for nurses. Retrieved June 7, 2026 from https://www.icn.ch/system/files/2021-10/ICN_Code-of-Ethics_EN_Web_0.pdf
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