Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding
Consciousness Applied to a Myocardial Infarction
Recovery Case Study
Allannah O’Reilly
South College
Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
Dr. Marilyn Galvez
August 12th, 2025
, Case Description
Mr. Jones is a 60-year-old male, following up with his primary care provider after being
discharged from the hospital post-Myocardial Infarction. He underwent percutaneous coronary
intervention (Angioplasty) with stent placement and has now been recovering at home. Mr. Jones
was diagnosed with coronary artery disease 2 years ago; however, this was his first reported
cardiac event. At follow-up, Mr. Jones expresses feelings of anxiety and fear about experiencing
another MI and uncertainty regarding lifestyle/dietary changes. He is struggling with smoking
cessation and dietary modifications. His primary goal is to regain physical strength and prevent
future cardiac events by improving his health behavior.
Theory Selection and Rationale
I chose Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness for this case
study. Newman’s theory reflects health as a process of increasing awareness and pattern
recognition. The theory views health as an evolving pattern of the whole person, including both
disease and non-disease states, and sees illness as a part of life’s ongoing process (Newman,
1994). In Newman’s theory, illness is viewed as a part of health and a part of one’s personal
journey. This approach is relevant to Mr. Jones’s recovery as it supports understanding the
meaning of his cardiac event and seeing the connection to his life patterns. This theory
encourages growth and adaptation to new lifestyle changes (Endo, 2017). Mr. Jones’s cardiac
event draws attention to long-standing patterns such as smoking, dietary habits, and stress
management. Newman’s theory is appropriate because it moves beyond symptom management
to engage the patient in deeper reflection and transformation. It aligns with advanced nursing
Consciousness Applied to a Myocardial Infarction
Recovery Case Study
Allannah O’Reilly
South College
Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
Dr. Marilyn Galvez
August 12th, 2025
, Case Description
Mr. Jones is a 60-year-old male, following up with his primary care provider after being
discharged from the hospital post-Myocardial Infarction. He underwent percutaneous coronary
intervention (Angioplasty) with stent placement and has now been recovering at home. Mr. Jones
was diagnosed with coronary artery disease 2 years ago; however, this was his first reported
cardiac event. At follow-up, Mr. Jones expresses feelings of anxiety and fear about experiencing
another MI and uncertainty regarding lifestyle/dietary changes. He is struggling with smoking
cessation and dietary modifications. His primary goal is to regain physical strength and prevent
future cardiac events by improving his health behavior.
Theory Selection and Rationale
I chose Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness for this case
study. Newman’s theory reflects health as a process of increasing awareness and pattern
recognition. The theory views health as an evolving pattern of the whole person, including both
disease and non-disease states, and sees illness as a part of life’s ongoing process (Newman,
1994). In Newman’s theory, illness is viewed as a part of health and a part of one’s personal
journey. This approach is relevant to Mr. Jones’s recovery as it supports understanding the
meaning of his cardiac event and seeing the connection to his life patterns. This theory
encourages growth and adaptation to new lifestyle changes (Endo, 2017). Mr. Jones’s cardiac
event draws attention to long-standing patterns such as smoking, dietary habits, and stress
management. Newman’s theory is appropriate because it moves beyond symptom management
to engage the patient in deeper reflection and transformation. It aligns with advanced nursing
