Chapter 2. Theory as the Basis for Practice
Questions
Multiple Choice
1. The nurse researcher is planning a research study. For which reason should the nurse identify
a theory as a basis of this study before proceeding?
1. It can represent graphically the phenomenon being studied.
2. It can explain how the definitions within the study are linked.
3. It can identify a broader scope of the phenomenon being studied.
4. It can validate the application of the theory to the nursing knowledge base.
Answer: _____
@
2. The nurse researcher is analyzing the use of a theory as a basis for a study. For which reason
should the nurse outline the phenomenon being studied with words, symbols, and lines?
1. To identify the population of interest for the study
2. To reduce the need to define the parts of the theory
3. To display the components and relationships of the theory
4. To reduce the amount of work needed to explain the theory
Answer: _____
3. The nurse researcher is designing a study. For which reason should the nurse avoid using a
conceptual model or framework instead of a theory as a basis for the study?
1. A conceptual model provides a broad scope of the propositions.
2. A conceptual model uses a graphic representation for the phenomenon.
3. A conceptual model limits the interpretation of the intent of the theory.
4. A conceptual model explains the phenomenon as the focus of the theory.
Answer: _____
4. The nurse would like to use a conceptual model as a basis for a study. Which needs to occur before
the model can be viewed as a viable theory?
1. The generalities of the concepts should be explained.
2. The broad scope of the concepts should be described.
3. The groups to which the concepts apply should be identified.
4. The interrelatedness of the concepts should be demonstrated.
Answer: _____
, Test Bank, Chapter 2
Kearney-Nunnery, Advancing Your Career, 7e Page 1 of 13
5. The nurse researcher is planning to use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as the theory for a study. Which
need should the nurse identify as the base for the entire hierarchy?
1. Safety
2. Physiologic
3. Self-actualization
4. Love and belonging
Answer: _____
6. The nurse researcher is considering the use of a developmental theory for a study. Which should
the nurse identify as a characteristic of these types of theories?
1. They are based upon a specific population.
2. They focus on personality development.
3. They progress through stages in the life cycle.
4. They are developed through mathematical validation.
Answer: _____
7. The nurse researcher is designing a study that focuses on the personality development of school-age
children. Whose theory would the nurse select as a basis for this study?
1. Piaget
2. Erikson
3. Johnson
4. Kohlberg
Answer: _____
8. While analyzing data collected during a study using Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral
Development, the nurse researcher notes that several participants follow a fixed set of rules as
stated by the parents. In which level of development would the nurse classify these participants?
1. Conventional
2. Preoperational
3. Preconventional
4. Postconventional
Answer: _____
9. The nurse researcher is planning to use systems theory as a basis for a study. For which reason
might the use of this theory be problematic?
Questions
Multiple Choice
1. The nurse researcher is planning a research study. For which reason should the nurse identify
a theory as a basis of this study before proceeding?
1. It can represent graphically the phenomenon being studied.
2. It can explain how the definitions within the study are linked.
3. It can identify a broader scope of the phenomenon being studied.
4. It can validate the application of the theory to the nursing knowledge base.
Answer: _____
@
2. The nurse researcher is analyzing the use of a theory as a basis for a study. For which reason
should the nurse outline the phenomenon being studied with words, symbols, and lines?
1. To identify the population of interest for the study
2. To reduce the need to define the parts of the theory
3. To display the components and relationships of the theory
4. To reduce the amount of work needed to explain the theory
Answer: _____
3. The nurse researcher is designing a study. For which reason should the nurse avoid using a
conceptual model or framework instead of a theory as a basis for the study?
1. A conceptual model provides a broad scope of the propositions.
2. A conceptual model uses a graphic representation for the phenomenon.
3. A conceptual model limits the interpretation of the intent of the theory.
4. A conceptual model explains the phenomenon as the focus of the theory.
Answer: _____
4. The nurse would like to use a conceptual model as a basis for a study. Which needs to occur before
the model can be viewed as a viable theory?
1. The generalities of the concepts should be explained.
2. The broad scope of the concepts should be described.
3. The groups to which the concepts apply should be identified.
4. The interrelatedness of the concepts should be demonstrated.
Answer: _____
, Test Bank, Chapter 2
Kearney-Nunnery, Advancing Your Career, 7e Page 1 of 13
5. The nurse researcher is planning to use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as the theory for a study. Which
need should the nurse identify as the base for the entire hierarchy?
1. Safety
2. Physiologic
3. Self-actualization
4. Love and belonging
Answer: _____
6. The nurse researcher is considering the use of a developmental theory for a study. Which should
the nurse identify as a characteristic of these types of theories?
1. They are based upon a specific population.
2. They focus on personality development.
3. They progress through stages in the life cycle.
4. They are developed through mathematical validation.
Answer: _____
7. The nurse researcher is designing a study that focuses on the personality development of school-age
children. Whose theory would the nurse select as a basis for this study?
1. Piaget
2. Erikson
3. Johnson
4. Kohlberg
Answer: _____
8. While analyzing data collected during a study using Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral
Development, the nurse researcher notes that several participants follow a fixed set of rules as
stated by the parents. In which level of development would the nurse classify these participants?
1. Conventional
2. Preoperational
3. Preconventional
4. Postconventional
Answer: _____
9. The nurse researcher is planning to use systems theory as a basis for a study. For which reason
might the use of this theory be problematic?
