Which theory posits that self-care is a human need and self-care deficits require nursing action?

• A. Orem's Theory of Self-Care
• B. Henderson's Nursing Need Theory
• C. Peplau's Goal Attainment Theory
• D. Kolcaba's Comfort Theory

Answer: (A)

Self-care as a human need and nursing action arising from deficits is the core idea here. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory states that people have the capacity for self-care, and when deficits in self-care exist, nursing is required to help them meet those needs. It provides a clear framework: assess a person’s ability to perform self-care, identify where deficits lie, and design a nursing system (wholly compensatory, partly compensatory, or supportive-educative) to enable the person to meet their self-care requisites and restore health. This direct link between self-care needs and the necessity for nursing action is why this theory best fits the statement. Other theories focus on basic needs, interpersonal relations and goal attainment, or comfort, rather than grounding nursing action in self-care deficits.