A case study illustrates the value of high-level conceptualization using a recognized nursing model in a clinical situation. The client was a distraught, recent immigrant of Spanish descent who had given birth to premature twins, had no one to speak to in her language, had little social support from family, and whose husband was unemployed. The family was diagnosed as unprepared to cope adequately with the stressful event of high-risk newborns. The Neuman model was chosen for care planning for this client because of multiple stressors which had either the potential for disturbing or had already disturbed family stability. The model conceptualizes stress and reaction to stress. Using the Neuman model, the nurse as primary caregiver must analyze his or her professional role function in the primary, secondary, and tertiary phases of prevention. Following this determination, the generally accepted nursing process format can serve as an acceptable tool for selecting effective interventions. Use of the Neuman model suggests that it is a most effective scientific approach to nursing action and is quite adaptable to the care of the high-risk infant. (RH)