NU 518 Exam 3 Nursing Theory Quiz 2026/2027 USA
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of middle-range
nursing theories?
A. To provide a broad, abstract framework for all nursing practice
B. To focus solely on the philosophical underpinnings of nursing science
C. To address specific nursing phenomena and provide a bridge between grand theories and practice
D. To describe the relationship between nursing and medical diagnosis only
Answer: C
Rationale: Middle-range theories are more limited in scope than grand theories and offer
descriptions, explanations, or predictions for specific nursing phenomena, making them
more applicable to clinical practice and research.
2. In Merle Mishel’s Theory of Uncertainty in Illness, what is the primary source
of uncertainty for patients?
A. The inability to assign meaning to illness-related events
B. Lack of health insurance
C. High levels of physical pain
D. Excessive family support
Answer: A
Rationale: Mishel defines uncertainty as the inability to determine the meaning of illness-
related events, occurring when the decision-maker cannot assign definite values to objects
or events.
,3. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model primarily focuses on which aspect of
nursing care?
A. Promoting health-seeking behaviors through individual characteristics and experiences
B. Managing acute illness symptoms
C. Providing end-of-life palliative care
D. Structuring hospital administration protocols
Answer: A
Rationale: Pender’s model focuses on helping nurses understand the major determinants
of health behaviors as a basis for behavioral counseling to promote healthy lifestyles.
4. According to Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring, which process involves
‘striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the other’?
A. Enabling
B. Being with
C. Doing for
D. Knowing
Answer: D
Rationale: Knowing is one of the five caring processes in Swanson’s theory, defined as
striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the other, avoiding
assumptions, and centering on the person.
5. What are the three components of the ‘Structure of Certainty’ in Mishel’s
original theory?
A. Stress, Anxiety, and Fear
B. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
C. Symptom pattern, Event familiarity, and Event congruency
D. Age, Gender, and Education
Answer: C
, Rationale: The stimuli frame in Mishel’s theory consists of symptom pattern, event
familiarity, and event congruency, which help the individual process illness-related
information.
6. In Pender’s Health Promotion Model, ‘perceived self-efficacy’ refers to:
A. The influence of family members on a person’s health
B. The financial cost of health services
C. The objective health status of the patient
D. The individual’s belief in their ability to organize and execute a health-promoting behavior
Answer: D
Rationale: Perceived self-efficacy is the judgment of personal capability to organize and
execute a health-promoting behavior; it influences perceived barriers to action.
7. Which theorist developed the ‘Theory of Culture Care Diversity and
Universality’?
A. Jean Watson
B. Madeleine Leininger
C. Martha Rogers
D. Imogene King
Answer: B
Rationale: Madeleine Leininger is the founder of transcultural nursing and developed the
Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality.
8. What is the goal of Theory Analysis in nursing?
A. To memorize the theorist’s biography
B. To systematically examine the theory’s origins, meanings, and logical adequacy
C. To prove that all theories are equally valid in every situation
D. To replace clinical skills with theoretical knowledge
Answer: B
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of middle-range
nursing theories?
A. To provide a broad, abstract framework for all nursing practice
B. To focus solely on the philosophical underpinnings of nursing science
C. To address specific nursing phenomena and provide a bridge between grand theories and practice
D. To describe the relationship between nursing and medical diagnosis only
Answer: C
Rationale: Middle-range theories are more limited in scope than grand theories and offer
descriptions, explanations, or predictions for specific nursing phenomena, making them
more applicable to clinical practice and research.
2. In Merle Mishel’s Theory of Uncertainty in Illness, what is the primary source
of uncertainty for patients?
A. The inability to assign meaning to illness-related events
B. Lack of health insurance
C. High levels of physical pain
D. Excessive family support
Answer: A
Rationale: Mishel defines uncertainty as the inability to determine the meaning of illness-
related events, occurring when the decision-maker cannot assign definite values to objects
or events.
,3. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model primarily focuses on which aspect of
nursing care?
A. Promoting health-seeking behaviors through individual characteristics and experiences
B. Managing acute illness symptoms
C. Providing end-of-life palliative care
D. Structuring hospital administration protocols
Answer: A
Rationale: Pender’s model focuses on helping nurses understand the major determinants
of health behaviors as a basis for behavioral counseling to promote healthy lifestyles.
4. According to Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring, which process involves
‘striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the other’?
A. Enabling
B. Being with
C. Doing for
D. Knowing
Answer: D
Rationale: Knowing is one of the five caring processes in Swanson’s theory, defined as
striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the other, avoiding
assumptions, and centering on the person.
5. What are the three components of the ‘Structure of Certainty’ in Mishel’s
original theory?
A. Stress, Anxiety, and Fear
B. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
C. Symptom pattern, Event familiarity, and Event congruency
D. Age, Gender, and Education
Answer: C
, Rationale: The stimuli frame in Mishel’s theory consists of symptom pattern, event
familiarity, and event congruency, which help the individual process illness-related
information.
6. In Pender’s Health Promotion Model, ‘perceived self-efficacy’ refers to:
A. The influence of family members on a person’s health
B. The financial cost of health services
C. The objective health status of the patient
D. The individual’s belief in their ability to organize and execute a health-promoting behavior
Answer: D
Rationale: Perceived self-efficacy is the judgment of personal capability to organize and
execute a health-promoting behavior; it influences perceived barriers to action.
7. Which theorist developed the ‘Theory of Culture Care Diversity and
Universality’?
A. Jean Watson
B. Madeleine Leininger
C. Martha Rogers
D. Imogene King
Answer: B
Rationale: Madeleine Leininger is the founder of transcultural nursing and developed the
Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality.
8. What is the goal of Theory Analysis in nursing?
A. To memorize the theorist’s biography
B. To systematically examine the theory’s origins, meanings, and logical adequacy
C. To prove that all theories are equally valid in every situation
D. To replace clinical skills with theoretical knowledge
Answer: B
