This essay provides a critique of self-care deficit nursing theory. It reveals how the theory directly contributes to nursing knowledge and practice. By focusing in on a specific concept, the theory allows an immediate application of ideas to practise. Specifically, the paper illustrates how self-care deficit theory proposes that individuals have a set of tasks that are crucial to the maintenance of their health. A self-care deficit exists when the relationship between a person's ability to perform required actions is not adequate to meet all of the therapeutic self-care demand. This is where the function of nurses becomes instrumental. 4 pgs. Bibliography lists 3 sources.