NU 518 Nursing Theory Final Exam Study Guide Comprehensive
Questions and Answers 2026/2027 South Alabama University
1. Which component of the nursing metaparadigm refers to the internal and
external surroundings that affect the client?
A. Health
B. Nursing
C. Environment
D. Person
Answer: C
Rationale: The environment includes all external and internal conditions, circumstances,
and influences affecting the person.
2. According to Florence Nightingale, what is the primary focus of nursing?
A. Altering the environment to facilitate the body’s reparative processes
B. Achieving interpersonal goals through communication
C. Assisting the patient with self-care deficits
D. Promoting adaptation in four modes
Answer: A
Rationale: Nightingale’s Environmental Theory emphasizes that nursing should
manipulate the environment to allow nature to act on the patient.
,3. Which theorist is credited with developing the ‘Interpersonal Relations in
Nursing’ model?
A. Hildegard Peplau
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Martha Rogers
D. Sister Callista Roy
Answer: A
Rationale: Peplau is known as the mother of psychiatric nursing and developed the theory
focusing on the nurse-patient relationship.
4. In Dorothea Orem’s theory, when is nursing care required?
A. When the patient is unable to adapt to the environment
B. When the patient lacks spiritual harmony
C. When the patient’s self-care demand exceeds their self-care agency
D. When the patient reaches the ‘Novice’ level of proficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory states nursing is needed when a patient’s self-
care agency is not sufficient to meet their therapeutic self-care demand.
5. Martha Rogers’ Theory of Unitary Human Beings defines the person as:
A. An irreducible, four-dimensional energy field
B. A biopsychosocial being in constant interaction with the environment
C. A collection of 14 basic needs
D. A system of behavioral responses
Answer: A
Rationale: Rogers views human beings as unitary, irreducible energy fields characterized
by pattern.
,6. Which mode of adaptation in Roy’s model relates to the individual’s role in
society?
A. Physiological-Physical Mode
B. Self-Concept-Group Identity Mode
C. Role Function Mode
D. Interdependence Mode
Answer: C
Rationale: The Role Function Mode focuses on the person’s performance of duties based
on their position within society.
7. Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment focuses on the interaction
between:
A. The nurse and the client
B. Internal and external stressors
C. The environment and the nurse
D. The conscious and subconscious mind
Answer: A
Rationale: King’s theory emphasizes the transactional process where nurse and client
share information, set goals, and act to attain those goals.
8. What is the primary goal of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring?
A. To promote health through 10 carative factors
B. To achieve efficient self-care
C. To stabilize the patient’s energy field
D. To increase the patient’s level of adaptation
Answer: A
Rationale: Watson focuses on the carative factors and the transpersonal caring
relationship to promote healing and health.
, 9. Which nursing theorist defined nursing as ‘assisting the individual, sick or
well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its
recovery’?
A. Virginia Henderson
B. Betty Neuman
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Nola Pender
Answer: A
Rationale: Henderson’s definition emphasizes the nurse’s role in helping the patient
perform 14 basic needs to gain independence.
10. The Neuman Systems Model views the client as a system that is:
A. Linear and predictable
B. Solely defined by biological processes
C. Static until nursing intervention occurs
D. Constantly reacting to stressors in the environment
Answer: D
Rationale: Neuman views the client as an open system in constant interaction with
environmental stressors.
11. Madeleine Leininger’s theory is primarily concerned with:
A. Health promotion across the lifespan
B. Transcultural nursing and cultural care diversity
C. The nurse’s transition from novice to expert
D. Comfort and pain management
Answer: B
Rationale: Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality theory focuses on
providing culturally congruent nursing care.
Questions and Answers 2026/2027 South Alabama University
1. Which component of the nursing metaparadigm refers to the internal and
external surroundings that affect the client?
A. Health
B. Nursing
C. Environment
D. Person
Answer: C
Rationale: The environment includes all external and internal conditions, circumstances,
and influences affecting the person.
2. According to Florence Nightingale, what is the primary focus of nursing?
A. Altering the environment to facilitate the body’s reparative processes
B. Achieving interpersonal goals through communication
C. Assisting the patient with self-care deficits
D. Promoting adaptation in four modes
Answer: A
Rationale: Nightingale’s Environmental Theory emphasizes that nursing should
manipulate the environment to allow nature to act on the patient.
,3. Which theorist is credited with developing the ‘Interpersonal Relations in
Nursing’ model?
A. Hildegard Peplau
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Martha Rogers
D. Sister Callista Roy
Answer: A
Rationale: Peplau is known as the mother of psychiatric nursing and developed the theory
focusing on the nurse-patient relationship.
4. In Dorothea Orem’s theory, when is nursing care required?
A. When the patient is unable to adapt to the environment
B. When the patient lacks spiritual harmony
C. When the patient’s self-care demand exceeds their self-care agency
D. When the patient reaches the ‘Novice’ level of proficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory states nursing is needed when a patient’s self-
care agency is not sufficient to meet their therapeutic self-care demand.
5. Martha Rogers’ Theory of Unitary Human Beings defines the person as:
A. An irreducible, four-dimensional energy field
B. A biopsychosocial being in constant interaction with the environment
C. A collection of 14 basic needs
D. A system of behavioral responses
Answer: A
Rationale: Rogers views human beings as unitary, irreducible energy fields characterized
by pattern.
,6. Which mode of adaptation in Roy’s model relates to the individual’s role in
society?
A. Physiological-Physical Mode
B. Self-Concept-Group Identity Mode
C. Role Function Mode
D. Interdependence Mode
Answer: C
Rationale: The Role Function Mode focuses on the person’s performance of duties based
on their position within society.
7. Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment focuses on the interaction
between:
A. The nurse and the client
B. Internal and external stressors
C. The environment and the nurse
D. The conscious and subconscious mind
Answer: A
Rationale: King’s theory emphasizes the transactional process where nurse and client
share information, set goals, and act to attain those goals.
8. What is the primary goal of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring?
A. To promote health through 10 carative factors
B. To achieve efficient self-care
C. To stabilize the patient’s energy field
D. To increase the patient’s level of adaptation
Answer: A
Rationale: Watson focuses on the carative factors and the transpersonal caring
relationship to promote healing and health.
, 9. Which nursing theorist defined nursing as ‘assisting the individual, sick or
well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its
recovery’?
A. Virginia Henderson
B. Betty Neuman
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Nola Pender
Answer: A
Rationale: Henderson’s definition emphasizes the nurse’s role in helping the patient
perform 14 basic needs to gain independence.
10. The Neuman Systems Model views the client as a system that is:
A. Linear and predictable
B. Solely defined by biological processes
C. Static until nursing intervention occurs
D. Constantly reacting to stressors in the environment
Answer: D
Rationale: Neuman views the client as an open system in constant interaction with
environmental stressors.
11. Madeleine Leininger’s theory is primarily concerned with:
A. Health promotion across the lifespan
B. Transcultural nursing and cultural care diversity
C. The nurse’s transition from novice to expert
D. Comfort and pain management
Answer: B
Rationale: Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality theory focuses on
providing culturally congruent nursing care.
