NURSING THEORIES AND
NURSING PRACTICE
6TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)MARLAINE SMITH
TEST BANK
1. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Concept of theory in nursing
Stem: A new graduate nurse asks why the unit’s care plan
requires more than a checklist of tasks when caring for a
patient with heart failure. The nurse educator explains that
nursing actions should be guided by a framework that helps
organize assessment, plan care, and evaluate outcomes. Which
statement best reflects the value of nursing theory in this
situation?
,A. It replaces clinical judgment with standardized interventions
B. It helps the nurse explain, predict, and guide patient-
centered care
C. It is mainly used to satisfy accreditation requirements
D. It is useful only in graduate nursing education
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: Nursing theory gives meaning
and structure to nursing practice. It helps the nurse interpret
assessment data, select interventions, and evaluate outcomes
in a deliberate way.
Rationale — A: Theory does not replace clinical judgment; it
strengthens it.
Rationale — C: Theory supports practice far beyond paperwork
or compliance.
Rationale — D: Theory is relevant to all levels of nursing
practice, including entry-level care.
Teaching Point: Theory organizes nursing judgment and
improves patient-centered care.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
2. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Discipline vs. profession
,Stem: During orientation, a nurse manager tells staff that
nursing is more than a job category or task list. She emphasizes
that nursing has its own body of knowledge, values, and
purpose. Which statement best describes nursing as a
discipline?
A. It focuses only on technical skills performed at the bedside
B. It is a field of study with unique knowledge, values, and
concepts
C. It depends entirely on medicine for its scientific foundation
D. It is defined by the setting where care is delivered
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: A discipline is organized around a
distinct body of knowledge and concepts. Nursing theory helps
define nursing as a discipline by clarifying what nurses know
and why they do what they do.
Rationale — A: Nursing includes technical skills, but it is
broader than task performance.
Rationale — C: Nursing uses knowledge from many fields but is
not dependent entirely on medicine.
Rationale — D: A discipline is defined by knowledge and
purpose, not location.
Teaching Point: A discipline has a distinct knowledge base, not
just a set of tasks.
,Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
3. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Metaparadigm
Stem: A nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult
recovering from stroke. She considers the patient’s functional
abilities, family support, living environment, and health goals
before selecting interventions. Which nursing concept is she
most directly applying?
A. The nursing metaparadigm
B. Medical diagnosis classification
C. Institutional policy framework
D. Legal scope of practice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer: The metaparadigm includes
person, health, environment, and nursing. The nurse is
integrating all four concepts to understand the patient
holistically and plan care.
Rationale — B: Medical diagnosis is part of care, but it does
not capture the full nursing perspective.
Rationale — C: Policies guide practice, but they are not a
conceptual model.
, Rationale — D: Scope of practice sets boundaries, but it is not
the same as a theory-based assessment.
Teaching Point: Nursing considers the person in context, not
the diagnosis alone.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
4. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Theory and practice
Stem: A nurse notices that two patients with the same
diagnosis respond differently to treatment. Instead of using a
one-size-fits-all approach, she adjusts the plan based on each
patient’s preferences, coping style, and support system. Which
nursing idea is being demonstrated?
A. Theory supports individualized nursing care
B. Diagnoses determine identical outcomes for all patients
C. Nursing care should remain unchanged across situations
D. Theory is separate from everyday bedside practice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer: Theory helps nurses see
differences among patients and adapt care accordingly. This
supports individualized assessment and intervention rather
than routine, nonreflective care.
, Rationale — B: Similar diagnoses do not guarantee similar
responses.
Rationale — C: Nursing care must be flexible and responsive to
context.
Rationale — D: Theory is intended to guide practice, not sit
apart from it.
Teaching Point: Nursing theory supports individualized,
responsive care.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
5. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Concepts and conceptual models
Stem: A faculty member explains that a conceptual model can
help students connect abstract nursing ideas to clinical care. A
student asks how this is different from a single concept such as
comfort or adaptation. Which response is best?
A. A conceptual model is a group of related concepts that
provides a broad view of nursing
B. A conceptual model is the same as a hospital protocol
C. A concept is a full explanation of all nursing practice
D. A concept replaces the need for assessment
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale — Correct Answer: Conceptual models organize
multiple concepts into a larger framework for understanding
nursing phenomena. They help nurses think systematically
about patient care.
Rationale — B: Protocols are procedural tools, not conceptual
frameworks.
Rationale — C: A single concept is not a complete explanation
of nursing.
Rationale — D: Concepts support assessment; they do not
replace it.
Teaching Point: Conceptual models connect multiple ideas into
a broader nursing framework.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
6. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Metaparadigm concepts
Stem: A home health nurse visits an adult who has uncontrolled
diabetes. She assesses the patient’s self-management, food
access, neighborhood safety, and family support before
teaching about glucose control. Which metaparadigm concept
is most clearly reflected in her assessment of food access and
neighborhood safety?
,A. Person
B. Health
C. Environment
D. Nursing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer: Environment includes the
external conditions influencing health, such as living situation,
resources, and safety. The nurse is considering factors that
affect the patient’s ability to manage diabetes.
Rationale — A: Person refers to the individual receiving care,
not the external context.
Rationale — B: Health reflects the patient’s wellness status,
not surroundings.
Rationale — D: Nursing refers to the actions and role of the
nurse.
Teaching Point: Environmental factors strongly influence health
behaviors and outcomes.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
7. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Nursing knowledge
,Stem: A clinical instructor asks students why nursing uses
research findings, patient preferences, and theoretical
frameworks together. One student says, “Evidence alone is
enough.” The instructor responds that nursing knowledge is
broader than evidence summaries alone. Which explanation is
best?
A. Nursing knowledge includes empirical, ethical, personal, and
aesthetic ways of knowing
B. Nursing knowledge is limited to lab values and test results
C. Nursing knowledge comes only from theory and not from
practice
D. Nursing knowledge is unrelated to patient experience
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer: Nursing knowledge is
multidimensional. It includes scientific evidence, professional
values, the nurse’s clinical understanding, and the art of
nursing.
Rationale — B: Lab data are important, but they are only one
part of nursing knowledge.
Rationale — C: Practice and theory shape each other in
nursing.
Rationale — D: Patient experience is central to nursing care.
Teaching Point: Nursing knowledge is broader than evidence
alone; it includes multiple ways of knowing.
, Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
8. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Grand, middle-range, and situation-specific theories
Stem: A nurse researcher wants a theory broad enough to
explain many nursing phenomena, while a staff nurse wants
guidance for improving pain management on one unit. Which
pairing best matches those needs?
A. Grand theory for the unit problem; situation-specific theory
for the broad explanation
B. Middle-range theory for the broad explanation; grand
theory for the unit problem
C. Grand theory for the broad explanation; situation-specific
theory for the unit problem
D. Situation-specific theory for the broad explanation; middle-
range theory for the unit problem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer: Grand theories are broad and
abstract, while situation-specific theories address narrowly
defined clinical problems. This pairing matches the level of
abstraction needed.
Rationale — A: The levels are reversed.
NURSING PRACTICE
6TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)MARLAINE SMITH
TEST BANK
1. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Concept of theory in nursing
Stem: A new graduate nurse asks why the unit’s care plan
requires more than a checklist of tasks when caring for a
patient with heart failure. The nurse educator explains that
nursing actions should be guided by a framework that helps
organize assessment, plan care, and evaluate outcomes. Which
statement best reflects the value of nursing theory in this
situation?
,A. It replaces clinical judgment with standardized interventions
B. It helps the nurse explain, predict, and guide patient-
centered care
C. It is mainly used to satisfy accreditation requirements
D. It is useful only in graduate nursing education
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: Nursing theory gives meaning
and structure to nursing practice. It helps the nurse interpret
assessment data, select interventions, and evaluate outcomes
in a deliberate way.
Rationale — A: Theory does not replace clinical judgment; it
strengthens it.
Rationale — C: Theory supports practice far beyond paperwork
or compliance.
Rationale — D: Theory is relevant to all levels of nursing
practice, including entry-level care.
Teaching Point: Theory organizes nursing judgment and
improves patient-centered care.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
2. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Discipline vs. profession
,Stem: During orientation, a nurse manager tells staff that
nursing is more than a job category or task list. She emphasizes
that nursing has its own body of knowledge, values, and
purpose. Which statement best describes nursing as a
discipline?
A. It focuses only on technical skills performed at the bedside
B. It is a field of study with unique knowledge, values, and
concepts
C. It depends entirely on medicine for its scientific foundation
D. It is defined by the setting where care is delivered
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: A discipline is organized around a
distinct body of knowledge and concepts. Nursing theory helps
define nursing as a discipline by clarifying what nurses know
and why they do what they do.
Rationale — A: Nursing includes technical skills, but it is
broader than task performance.
Rationale — C: Nursing uses knowledge from many fields but is
not dependent entirely on medicine.
Rationale — D: A discipline is defined by knowledge and
purpose, not location.
Teaching Point: A discipline has a distinct knowledge base, not
just a set of tasks.
,Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
3. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Metaparadigm
Stem: A nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult
recovering from stroke. She considers the patient’s functional
abilities, family support, living environment, and health goals
before selecting interventions. Which nursing concept is she
most directly applying?
A. The nursing metaparadigm
B. Medical diagnosis classification
C. Institutional policy framework
D. Legal scope of practice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer: The metaparadigm includes
person, health, environment, and nursing. The nurse is
integrating all four concepts to understand the patient
holistically and plan care.
Rationale — B: Medical diagnosis is part of care, but it does
not capture the full nursing perspective.
Rationale — C: Policies guide practice, but they are not a
conceptual model.
, Rationale — D: Scope of practice sets boundaries, but it is not
the same as a theory-based assessment.
Teaching Point: Nursing considers the person in context, not
the diagnosis alone.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
4. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Theory and practice
Stem: A nurse notices that two patients with the same
diagnosis respond differently to treatment. Instead of using a
one-size-fits-all approach, she adjusts the plan based on each
patient’s preferences, coping style, and support system. Which
nursing idea is being demonstrated?
A. Theory supports individualized nursing care
B. Diagnoses determine identical outcomes for all patients
C. Nursing care should remain unchanged across situations
D. Theory is separate from everyday bedside practice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer: Theory helps nurses see
differences among patients and adapt care accordingly. This
supports individualized assessment and intervention rather
than routine, nonreflective care.
, Rationale — B: Similar diagnoses do not guarantee similar
responses.
Rationale — C: Nursing care must be flexible and responsive to
context.
Rationale — D: Theory is intended to guide practice, not sit
apart from it.
Teaching Point: Nursing theory supports individualized,
responsive care.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
5. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Concepts and conceptual models
Stem: A faculty member explains that a conceptual model can
help students connect abstract nursing ideas to clinical care. A
student asks how this is different from a single concept such as
comfort or adaptation. Which response is best?
A. A conceptual model is a group of related concepts that
provides a broad view of nursing
B. A conceptual model is the same as a hospital protocol
C. A concept is a full explanation of all nursing practice
D. A concept replaces the need for assessment
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale — Correct Answer: Conceptual models organize
multiple concepts into a larger framework for understanding
nursing phenomena. They help nurses think systematically
about patient care.
Rationale — B: Protocols are procedural tools, not conceptual
frameworks.
Rationale — C: A single concept is not a complete explanation
of nursing.
Rationale — D: Concepts support assessment; they do not
replace it.
Teaching Point: Conceptual models connect multiple ideas into
a broader nursing framework.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
6. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Metaparadigm concepts
Stem: A home health nurse visits an adult who has uncontrolled
diabetes. She assesses the patient’s self-management, food
access, neighborhood safety, and family support before
teaching about glucose control. Which metaparadigm concept
is most clearly reflected in her assessment of food access and
neighborhood safety?
,A. Person
B. Health
C. Environment
D. Nursing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer: Environment includes the
external conditions influencing health, such as living situation,
resources, and safety. The nurse is considering factors that
affect the patient’s ability to manage diabetes.
Rationale — A: Person refers to the individual receiving care,
not the external context.
Rationale — B: Health reflects the patient’s wellness status,
not surroundings.
Rationale — D: Nursing refers to the actions and role of the
nurse.
Teaching Point: Environmental factors strongly influence health
behaviors and outcomes.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
7. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Nursing knowledge
,Stem: A clinical instructor asks students why nursing uses
research findings, patient preferences, and theoretical
frameworks together. One student says, “Evidence alone is
enough.” The instructor responds that nursing knowledge is
broader than evidence summaries alone. Which explanation is
best?
A. Nursing knowledge includes empirical, ethical, personal, and
aesthetic ways of knowing
B. Nursing knowledge is limited to lab values and test results
C. Nursing knowledge comes only from theory and not from
practice
D. Nursing knowledge is unrelated to patient experience
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer: Nursing knowledge is
multidimensional. It includes scientific evidence, professional
values, the nurse’s clinical understanding, and the art of
nursing.
Rationale — B: Lab data are important, but they are only one
part of nursing knowledge.
Rationale — C: Practice and theory shape each other in
nursing.
Rationale — D: Patient experience is central to nursing care.
Teaching Point: Nursing knowledge is broader than evidence
alone; it includes multiple ways of knowing.
, Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.). Chapter 1.
8. Reference: Nursing Theory and the Discipline of Nursing —
Grand, middle-range, and situation-specific theories
Stem: A nurse researcher wants a theory broad enough to
explain many nursing phenomena, while a staff nurse wants
guidance for improving pain management on one unit. Which
pairing best matches those needs?
A. Grand theory for the unit problem; situation-specific theory
for the broad explanation
B. Middle-range theory for the broad explanation; grand
theory for the unit problem
C. Grand theory for the broad explanation; situation-specific
theory for the unit problem
D. Situation-specific theory for the broad explanation; middle-
range theory for the unit problem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer: Grand theories are broad and
abstract, while situation-specific theories address narrowly
defined clinical problems. This pairing matches the level of
abstraction needed.
Rationale — A: The levels are reversed.
