NU 518 Exam 3 Study Guide (2026/2027) - Nursing Theory South
Alabama University
1. Which characteristic best describes middle-range nursing theories compared
to grand theories?
A. They are more abstract and difficult to test.
B. They focus on specific phenomena and are more easily applied to practice.
C. They provide a universal framework for all nursing actions.
D. They do not include the nursing metaparadigm concepts.
Answer: B
Rationale: Middle-range theories are more limited in scope, address specific phenomena,
and contain concepts that are more concrete and measurable for research and practice.
2. In Pender’s Health Promotion Model, which factor is considered a primary
motivator for engaging in health-promoting behaviors?
A. Biological factors such as age
B. Interpersonal influences from neighbors
C. Perceived benefits of action
D. Situational influences like the clinical setting
Answer: C
Rationale: Perceived benefits of action are mental representations of the positive
consequences of a behavior, which directly motivate the individual to act.
,3. According to Meleis’s Transition Theory, a patient moving from a hospital
setting to a long-term care facility is experiencing what type of transition?
A. Developmental
B. Situational
C. Organizational
D. Health-illness
Answer: B
Rationale: Situational transitions include changes in professional or educational roles, as
well as changes in living arrangements or discharge from hospitals.
4. In Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort, ‘transcendence’ is defined as:
A. The state in which one rises above problems or pain.
B. The state of calm or contentment.
C. The state of having a specific need met.
D. The immediate relief from discomfort.
Answer: A
Rationale: Transcendence is the highest level of comfort where patients are motivated to
rise above their challenges.
5. Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory suggests that uncertainty is initially
appraised as a ‘danger’ when:
A. The patient views the outcome as predictable.
B. The patient believes the situation will improve on its own.
C. Uncertainty is seen as a way to maintain hope.
D. The patient perceives the lack of information as a threat to their well-being.
Answer: D
Rationale: Uncertainty is appraised as danger when the person focuses on the negative
implications of what they do not know.
, 6. Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence proposes that ‘vulnerability’ is:
A. A negative state that should always be avoided.
B. A symptom of psychological distress.
C. The awareness of personal mortality and life-threatening events.
D. The end result of aging.
Answer: C
Rationale: Vulnerability is the awareness of mortality or situations like illness or loss that
prompt self-transcendence.
7. The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al.) identifies which three
categories of influencing factors?
A. Biological, Psychological, Social
B. Internal, External, Environmental
C. Physiological, Psychological, Situational
D. Acute, Chronic, Intermittent
Answer: C
Rationale: Lenz’s theory categorizes factors influencing symptoms into physiological,
psychological, and situational categories.
8. In Swanson’s Theory of Caring, ‘Maintaining Belief’ involves:
A. Doing for the other as they would do for themselves.
B. Sustaining faith in the other’s capacity to get through an event.
C. Striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the other.
D. Being emotionally present to the other.
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining belief is the foundation of caring, focusing on holding the patient in
esteem and believing in their capacity.
Alabama University
1. Which characteristic best describes middle-range nursing theories compared
to grand theories?
A. They are more abstract and difficult to test.
B. They focus on specific phenomena and are more easily applied to practice.
C. They provide a universal framework for all nursing actions.
D. They do not include the nursing metaparadigm concepts.
Answer: B
Rationale: Middle-range theories are more limited in scope, address specific phenomena,
and contain concepts that are more concrete and measurable for research and practice.
2. In Pender’s Health Promotion Model, which factor is considered a primary
motivator for engaging in health-promoting behaviors?
A. Biological factors such as age
B. Interpersonal influences from neighbors
C. Perceived benefits of action
D. Situational influences like the clinical setting
Answer: C
Rationale: Perceived benefits of action are mental representations of the positive
consequences of a behavior, which directly motivate the individual to act.
,3. According to Meleis’s Transition Theory, a patient moving from a hospital
setting to a long-term care facility is experiencing what type of transition?
A. Developmental
B. Situational
C. Organizational
D. Health-illness
Answer: B
Rationale: Situational transitions include changes in professional or educational roles, as
well as changes in living arrangements or discharge from hospitals.
4. In Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort, ‘transcendence’ is defined as:
A. The state in which one rises above problems or pain.
B. The state of calm or contentment.
C. The state of having a specific need met.
D. The immediate relief from discomfort.
Answer: A
Rationale: Transcendence is the highest level of comfort where patients are motivated to
rise above their challenges.
5. Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory suggests that uncertainty is initially
appraised as a ‘danger’ when:
A. The patient views the outcome as predictable.
B. The patient believes the situation will improve on its own.
C. Uncertainty is seen as a way to maintain hope.
D. The patient perceives the lack of information as a threat to their well-being.
Answer: D
Rationale: Uncertainty is appraised as danger when the person focuses on the negative
implications of what they do not know.
, 6. Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence proposes that ‘vulnerability’ is:
A. A negative state that should always be avoided.
B. A symptom of psychological distress.
C. The awareness of personal mortality and life-threatening events.
D. The end result of aging.
Answer: C
Rationale: Vulnerability is the awareness of mortality or situations like illness or loss that
prompt self-transcendence.
7. The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al.) identifies which three
categories of influencing factors?
A. Biological, Psychological, Social
B. Internal, External, Environmental
C. Physiological, Psychological, Situational
D. Acute, Chronic, Intermittent
Answer: C
Rationale: Lenz’s theory categorizes factors influencing symptoms into physiological,
psychological, and situational categories.
8. In Swanson’s Theory of Caring, ‘Maintaining Belief’ involves:
A. Doing for the other as they would do for themselves.
B. Sustaining faith in the other’s capacity to get through an event.
C. Striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the other.
D. Being emotionally present to the other.
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining belief is the foundation of caring, focusing on holding the patient in
esteem and believing in their capacity.
