NU 518 Exam 2: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Study Guide
2026/2027 USA
1. Which level of nursing theory is the most abstract and provides a broad
worldview of nursing practice?
A. Middle-range theory
B. Practice theory
C. Grand theory
D. Meta-theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Grand theories are the most complex and widest in scope, attempting to explain
broad areas within a discipline and providing a global perspective for nursing practice and
education.
2. In the nursing metaparadigm, which concept refers to the recipient of care,
including individuals, families, and communities?
A. Nursing
B. Person
C. Health
D. Environment
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Person’ (or Human Being) is the central subject of nursing care and can be
an individual, group, family, or community.
,3. Which theorist developed the ‘Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing’?
A. Callista Roy
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Jean Watson
D. Martha Rogers
Answer: B
Rationale: Dorothea Orem’s theory focuses on the individual’s ability to perform self-care
and the role of the nurse when a self-care deficit exists.
4. According to Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model, which of the following is NOT
one of the four adaptive modes?
A. Self-Actualization
B. Self-Concept-Group Identity
C. Physiological-Physical
D. Role Function
Answer: A
Rationale: The four adaptive modes are Physiological, Self-Concept, Role Function, and
Interdependence. Self-Actualization is not one of Roy’s specific modes.
5. Which theory focuses on the ‘transpersonal caring relationship’ and the use
of 10 Caritas Processes?
A. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring
B. Betty Neuman’s Systems Model
C. Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment
D. Hildegard Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations
Answer: A
Rationale: Jean Watson’s theory emphasizes the moral ideal of nursing as a transpersonal
caring relationship, utilizing Caritas processes to promote healing.
, 6. Hildegard Peplau is best known for her focus on which aspect of nursing?
A. Environmental sanitation
B. The nurse-patient relationship
C. Cultural competence
D. Technological competency
Answer: B
Rationale: Peplau is known as the ‘Mother of Psychiatric Nursing’ and her theory focuses
on the phases of the interpersonal relationship between nurse and patient.
7. Which theorist’s work is characterized by the concept of ‘Unitary Human
Beings’ and ‘Energy Fields’?
A. Rosemarie Parse
B. Virginia Henderson
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Martha Rogers
Answer: D
Rationale: Martha Rogers viewed humans as irreducible, four-dimensional energy fields
integral with the environment.
8. In Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment, what occurs when the nurse
and patient share perceptions and move toward a goal?
A. Interaction
B. Transaction
C. Reaction
D. Perception
Answer: B
Rationale: Transaction is the purposeful interaction that leads to goal attainment in King’s
conceptual framework.
2026/2027 USA
1. Which level of nursing theory is the most abstract and provides a broad
worldview of nursing practice?
A. Middle-range theory
B. Practice theory
C. Grand theory
D. Meta-theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Grand theories are the most complex and widest in scope, attempting to explain
broad areas within a discipline and providing a global perspective for nursing practice and
education.
2. In the nursing metaparadigm, which concept refers to the recipient of care,
including individuals, families, and communities?
A. Nursing
B. Person
C. Health
D. Environment
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Person’ (or Human Being) is the central subject of nursing care and can be
an individual, group, family, or community.
,3. Which theorist developed the ‘Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing’?
A. Callista Roy
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Jean Watson
D. Martha Rogers
Answer: B
Rationale: Dorothea Orem’s theory focuses on the individual’s ability to perform self-care
and the role of the nurse when a self-care deficit exists.
4. According to Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model, which of the following is NOT
one of the four adaptive modes?
A. Self-Actualization
B. Self-Concept-Group Identity
C. Physiological-Physical
D. Role Function
Answer: A
Rationale: The four adaptive modes are Physiological, Self-Concept, Role Function, and
Interdependence. Self-Actualization is not one of Roy’s specific modes.
5. Which theory focuses on the ‘transpersonal caring relationship’ and the use
of 10 Caritas Processes?
A. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring
B. Betty Neuman’s Systems Model
C. Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment
D. Hildegard Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations
Answer: A
Rationale: Jean Watson’s theory emphasizes the moral ideal of nursing as a transpersonal
caring relationship, utilizing Caritas processes to promote healing.
, 6. Hildegard Peplau is best known for her focus on which aspect of nursing?
A. Environmental sanitation
B. The nurse-patient relationship
C. Cultural competence
D. Technological competency
Answer: B
Rationale: Peplau is known as the ‘Mother of Psychiatric Nursing’ and her theory focuses
on the phases of the interpersonal relationship between nurse and patient.
7. Which theorist’s work is characterized by the concept of ‘Unitary Human
Beings’ and ‘Energy Fields’?
A. Rosemarie Parse
B. Virginia Henderson
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Martha Rogers
Answer: D
Rationale: Martha Rogers viewed humans as irreducible, four-dimensional energy fields
integral with the environment.
8. In Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment, what occurs when the nurse
and patient share perceptions and move toward a goal?
A. Interaction
B. Transaction
C. Reaction
D. Perception
Answer: B
Rationale: Transaction is the purposeful interaction that leads to goal attainment in King’s
conceptual framework.
