NR-501 – Theoretical Basis for Practice Examines
nursing theories, conceptual models, professional
frameworks, knowledge development, and theory-
guided healthcare practice.
1. A nurse researcher is examining the structure of nursing knowledge. Which
term refers to the most abstract level of knowledge that presents a global view
of a discipline?
A. Conceptual framework
B. Metaparadigm
C. Middle-range theory
D. Empirical indicator
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The metaparadigm is the most abstract, global perspective of a
discipline (person, environment, health, nursing). Conceptual frameworks are less
abstract; middle-range theories are more specific.
2. The four central concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are:
A. Nursing, medicine, sociology, psychology
B. Person, environment, health, nursing
C. Theory, research, practice, education
D. Diagnosis, intervention, outcome, evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The universally accepted nursing metaparadigm concepts are person
(recipient of care), environment (internal/external context), health (wellness/illness
continuum), and nursing (actions, roles).
3. A nurse uses Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory to guide practice. This theory
is classified as:
A. Grand theory
B. Middle-range theory
C. Practice theory
D. Borrowed theory
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orem’s theory is a grand theory (broad, abstract). Middle-range
,theories are more specific (e.g., Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness). Practice theories
are narrow.
4. Which philosopher described the four patterns of knowing in nursing
(empirical, ethical, personal, aesthetic)?
A. Patricia Benner
B. Jean Watson
C. Barbara Carper
D. Martha Rogers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carper (1978) identified fundamental patterns of knowing: empirics
(scientific), ethics (moral), personal (self-awareness), aesthetics (art of nursing).
5. A nurse is using evidence-based practice but also considers the patient’s
unique story and intuition. This reflects which pattern of knowing?
A. Empirical
B. Personal and aesthetic
C. Sociopolitical
D. Unknowing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Personal knowing (therapeutic use of self) and aesthetic knowing (art,
empathy, intuition) complement empirical science.
6. Which level of theory is most concrete and specific to a particular clinical
situation?
A. Grand theory
B. Middle-range theory
C. Practice theory (situation-specific theory)
D. Metatheory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Practice theories (or situation-specific theories) are the narrowest,
guiding specific nursing interventions. Grand theories are broad; middle-range are
intermediate.
7. A nursing student learns that a theory is a set of concepts, definitions, and
propositions that:
A. Are always proven true
B. Provide a systematic view of phenomena
C. Cannot be tested
, D. Are only derived from quantitative research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Theories systematically describe, explain, predict, or prescribe
phenomena. They are testable and evolve with evidence.
8. The nurse is applying Roy’s Adaptation Model. Which of the following is a
key concept of this model?
A. Self-care agency
B. Adaptive modes (physiological, self-concept, role function, interdependence)
C. Transpersonal caring relationship
D. Human-environmental energy fields
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Roy’s model focuses on adaptation through four adaptive modes. Orem
uses self-care; Watson uses caring; Rogers uses energy fields.
9. A nurse theorist proposes that nursing is a human science with a focus on
caring as the central phenomenon. Which theorist is known for the “Theory of
Human Caring”?
A. Dorothea Orem
B. Jean Watson
C. Imogene King
D. Betty Neuman
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring emphasizes carative factors,
transpersonal caring, and caring moments.
10. The “Theory of Unitary Human Beings” was developed by:
A. Martha Rogers
B. Hildegard Peplau
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Rosemarie Rizzo Parse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings emphasizes energy
fields, openness, pattern, and pandimensionality.
11. A nurse uses Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming. This theory
emphasizes:
A. Self-care deficits
B. Meaning, rhythmicity, and transcendence as cocreated by the patient and nurse
nursing theories, conceptual models, professional
frameworks, knowledge development, and theory-
guided healthcare practice.
1. A nurse researcher is examining the structure of nursing knowledge. Which
term refers to the most abstract level of knowledge that presents a global view
of a discipline?
A. Conceptual framework
B. Metaparadigm
C. Middle-range theory
D. Empirical indicator
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The metaparadigm is the most abstract, global perspective of a
discipline (person, environment, health, nursing). Conceptual frameworks are less
abstract; middle-range theories are more specific.
2. The four central concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are:
A. Nursing, medicine, sociology, psychology
B. Person, environment, health, nursing
C. Theory, research, practice, education
D. Diagnosis, intervention, outcome, evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The universally accepted nursing metaparadigm concepts are person
(recipient of care), environment (internal/external context), health (wellness/illness
continuum), and nursing (actions, roles).
3. A nurse uses Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory to guide practice. This theory
is classified as:
A. Grand theory
B. Middle-range theory
C. Practice theory
D. Borrowed theory
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orem’s theory is a grand theory (broad, abstract). Middle-range
,theories are more specific (e.g., Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness). Practice theories
are narrow.
4. Which philosopher described the four patterns of knowing in nursing
(empirical, ethical, personal, aesthetic)?
A. Patricia Benner
B. Jean Watson
C. Barbara Carper
D. Martha Rogers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carper (1978) identified fundamental patterns of knowing: empirics
(scientific), ethics (moral), personal (self-awareness), aesthetics (art of nursing).
5. A nurse is using evidence-based practice but also considers the patient’s
unique story and intuition. This reflects which pattern of knowing?
A. Empirical
B. Personal and aesthetic
C. Sociopolitical
D. Unknowing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Personal knowing (therapeutic use of self) and aesthetic knowing (art,
empathy, intuition) complement empirical science.
6. Which level of theory is most concrete and specific to a particular clinical
situation?
A. Grand theory
B. Middle-range theory
C. Practice theory (situation-specific theory)
D. Metatheory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Practice theories (or situation-specific theories) are the narrowest,
guiding specific nursing interventions. Grand theories are broad; middle-range are
intermediate.
7. A nursing student learns that a theory is a set of concepts, definitions, and
propositions that:
A. Are always proven true
B. Provide a systematic view of phenomena
C. Cannot be tested
, D. Are only derived from quantitative research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Theories systematically describe, explain, predict, or prescribe
phenomena. They are testable and evolve with evidence.
8. The nurse is applying Roy’s Adaptation Model. Which of the following is a
key concept of this model?
A. Self-care agency
B. Adaptive modes (physiological, self-concept, role function, interdependence)
C. Transpersonal caring relationship
D. Human-environmental energy fields
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Roy’s model focuses on adaptation through four adaptive modes. Orem
uses self-care; Watson uses caring; Rogers uses energy fields.
9. A nurse theorist proposes that nursing is a human science with a focus on
caring as the central phenomenon. Which theorist is known for the “Theory of
Human Caring”?
A. Dorothea Orem
B. Jean Watson
C. Imogene King
D. Betty Neuman
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring emphasizes carative factors,
transpersonal caring, and caring moments.
10. The “Theory of Unitary Human Beings” was developed by:
A. Martha Rogers
B. Hildegard Peplau
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Rosemarie Rizzo Parse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings emphasizes energy
fields, openness, pattern, and pandimensionality.
11. A nurse uses Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming. This theory
emphasizes:
A. Self-care deficits
B. Meaning, rhythmicity, and transcendence as cocreated by the patient and nurse
