Page 186 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

a dmi ni st ering sacr e d nu rs i ng a ct s
Common expressions associated with this need remind us of its com-
plexity and all-encompassing nature. For example, someone is said to
be “holding her breath” waiting for something to happen. A variety
of observations are related to different feelings and how they affect
our breathing. For example, it is well-known that anxiety, anger, and
resentment often result in an increased rate or decreased depth of res-
piration and sighing. When one is sad or dejected, a decreased rate or
depth of breathing sometimes occurs. Irregular breathing is associated
with anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. It is well-known that for someone
who is grieving the lungs are often affected, in that there is sighing and
tenseness in breathing, as if it is difficult to control one’s emotions.
Anger and pent-up, repressed feelings of frustration and resent-
ment need to be expressed constructively; if they are not, the result
can be destructive release, including violent acts. Thus, nurses need to
grasp the complex dimensions of this need and the strong association
between emotional venting and biophysical ventilation for the heart-
lung system of the body.

signifiCanCe of tHe ventilation need for Caritas NursiNg
• The ventilation need encompasses respiratory and circula-
tory systems, the need to ventilate feelings, and sociocultural
norms for releasing emotions; it is associated with the energetic
anatomy of the heart area as well as the lungs and respiratory
system.
• The practice of caring necessitates viewing this need within a
context that includes the person’s perceptions, patterns of cop-
ing, sociocultural norms, lifestyle, as well as energetic patterns
and genetic and physiological demands on his or her biophysical
system.
• The ability to handle emotions and feelings is a key element
in maintaining health and well-being; just as oxygen, clean air,
and a healthy respiratory-circulatory system are necessary for
survival, so is the need to express and ventilate thoughts and
feelings.
• In addition to the original Carative Factor 9 related to assisting
with human needs, this specific need is highly associated with

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