Carmencita Abaquin’s

“PREPARE ME”
Theory
“To nurse is to be able to provide the care that
our clients need in maintaining their quality of
life and being instrumental in ‘birthing’ them to
external life.”

- Dr. Carmencita M. Abaquin

PREPARE ME theory provides a framework on
non-pharmacologic, non-surgical approach of care
to advanced cases of cancer patients. The focus is
not on cure but on assisting the patient to explore
her humanity and internal serenity as one is faced
with the challenge of life and death. Nurses must
be seen not as mere caregivers but facilitators of
peaceful acceptance of condition.
Holistic Nursing Intervention
“PREPARE ME”
Presence
Reminisce Therapy
Prayer
Relaxation Activities
Meditation
Values Clarification

Terminally-Ill Cancer Patients

Physical Psychological
Social Religious
Level of Independence
Environment Spiritual

Quality of Life
 Basic Concepts
PREPARE ME (Holistic Nursing Interventions) are
the nursing interventions provided to address the
multidimensional problems of cancer patients that
can be given in any setting where patients choose
to be confined. This program emphasizes a
holistic approach to nursing care.
 Basic Concepts
PREPARE ME has the following components:
1. Presence
2. Reminisce therapy
3. Prayer
4. Relaxation activities
5. Meditation
6. Values clarification
 Basic Concepts
Presence

This refers to being with

another person during the
times of need. This includes
therapeutic communication,
active listening, and touch.
 Basic Concepts
Reminisce therapy

This refers to the recall of past experiences,

feelings and thoughts to facilitate adaptation
to present circumstances.
 Basic Concepts
Prayer

This refers to a solemn

communication, request
for help, and/or expression
of thanks addressed to the
Divine or a Higher Being.
 Basic Concepts
Relaxation activities

This refers to the breathing-

techniques to encourage and
elicit relaxation for the purpose
of decreasing undesirable signs
and symptoms such as pain,
muscle tension, and anxiety.
 Basic Concepts
Meditation
This encourages an elicit form of relaxation for the
purpose of altering patient’s level of awareness by
focusing on an image or thought to facilitate inner sight
which helps establish connection and relationship with
God. It may be done through the use of music and other
relaxation techniques.
 Basic Concepts
Values clarification

This refers to assisting the patient to clarify his own

values about health and illness in order to facilitate
effective decision making skills. Through this, the
patient develops an open mind that will facilitate
acceptance of disease state or may help deepen or
enhance values.
 Basic Concepts
Quality of life

This includes proper care of the body, mind, and

spirit to maintain integrity of the whole person
despite limitations brought by the present situation.
 Basic Concepts
Quality of life

This can be seen with the following dimensions

brought by the present situation. This can be seen
with the following dimensions of man: physical,
psychological, social, religious, level of
independence, environment, and spiritual.