Chapter 05: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Which of the following definitions best explains the idea of a theory?
a. "Mental maps" that make sense of information and decisional processes
b. Mental formulations of objects or events
c. Aspects of reality that can be consciously sensed
d. A purposeful set of assumptions that identify relationships between concepts - (correct Answer) - d. A
purposeful set of assumptions that identify relationships between concepts
A theory is a purposeful set of assumptions that identify the relationships between concepts. Theories
are useful because they provide a systematic view of
explaining, predicting, and prescribing phenomena.
Different types of theories may be used by nurses seeking to study the basis of nursing practice. Which
one of the following types of
theories speculates on why phenomena occur?
a. Prescriptive
b. Descriptive
c. Grand
d. Middle-range - (correct Answer) - b. Descriptive
Descriptive theories describe phenomena, speculate on why phenomena occur, and describe the
consequences of phenomena.
Which of the following is referred to as a body of knowledge that encompasses definitions of person,
environment, health, and
nursing?
, a. Family nursing practice
b. Prescriptive nursing theory
c. Advanced nursing practice
d. Metaparadigm of nursing - (correct Answer) - d. Metaparadigm of nursing
The major components of nursing theory, sometimes called the metaparadigm concepts, are person,
environment, health, and nursing.
The nurse is working within a health care system that uses Neuman's theory. A patient is having difficulty
breathing and requires oxygen and medication. Which of the following approaches is the nurse's goal?
a. Strengthen the line of defences, and focus on prevention.
b. Promote attainment of biological self-care requisites.
c. Assist in physiological adaptation to internal changes.
d. Achieve the 14 basic needs. - (correct Answer) - a. Strengthen the line of defences, and focus on
prevention.
Neuman's framework for practice includes nursing actions that focus on actual or potential stressors,
and thus on prevention.
Although similarities exist in the different nursing theories, key elements distinguish one from another.
Which of the following is
the emphasis of Jean Watson's conceptual model?
a. Self-care maintains wholeness.
b. Subsystems exist in dynamic stability.
c. Stimuli disrupt an adaptive system.
d. Caring is central to the essence of nursing. - (correct Answer) - d. Caring is central to the essence of
nursing.
Watson believed that nurses must do far more than deal with physical illness; they must attend to their
primary function, which is caring. From Watson's
Which of the following definitions best explains the idea of a theory?
a. "Mental maps" that make sense of information and decisional processes
b. Mental formulations of objects or events
c. Aspects of reality that can be consciously sensed
d. A purposeful set of assumptions that identify relationships between concepts - (correct Answer) - d. A
purposeful set of assumptions that identify relationships between concepts
A theory is a purposeful set of assumptions that identify the relationships between concepts. Theories
are useful because they provide a systematic view of
explaining, predicting, and prescribing phenomena.
Different types of theories may be used by nurses seeking to study the basis of nursing practice. Which
one of the following types of
theories speculates on why phenomena occur?
a. Prescriptive
b. Descriptive
c. Grand
d. Middle-range - (correct Answer) - b. Descriptive
Descriptive theories describe phenomena, speculate on why phenomena occur, and describe the
consequences of phenomena.
Which of the following is referred to as a body of knowledge that encompasses definitions of person,
environment, health, and
nursing?
, a. Family nursing practice
b. Prescriptive nursing theory
c. Advanced nursing practice
d. Metaparadigm of nursing - (correct Answer) - d. Metaparadigm of nursing
The major components of nursing theory, sometimes called the metaparadigm concepts, are person,
environment, health, and nursing.
The nurse is working within a health care system that uses Neuman's theory. A patient is having difficulty
breathing and requires oxygen and medication. Which of the following approaches is the nurse's goal?
a. Strengthen the line of defences, and focus on prevention.
b. Promote attainment of biological self-care requisites.
c. Assist in physiological adaptation to internal changes.
d. Achieve the 14 basic needs. - (correct Answer) - a. Strengthen the line of defences, and focus on
prevention.
Neuman's framework for practice includes nursing actions that focus on actual or potential stressors,
and thus on prevention.
Although similarities exist in the different nursing theories, key elements distinguish one from another.
Which of the following is
the emphasis of Jean Watson's conceptual model?
a. Self-care maintains wholeness.
b. Subsystems exist in dynamic stability.
c. Stimuli disrupt an adaptive system.
d. Caring is central to the essence of nursing. - (correct Answer) - d. Caring is central to the essence of
nursing.
Watson believed that nurses must do far more than deal with physical illness; they must attend to their
primary function, which is caring. From Watson's
