NUR 501 Exam 3: Philosophical and Theoretical
Basis of Nursing - St. Thomas University Updated
and Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A nurse is working with a patient who has a self-care deficit following a stroke and is
teaching the patient how to use a reacher tool. According to Orem’s Theory, which nursing
system is the nurse utilizing?
A. Wholly compensatory system
B. Partly compensatory system
C. Supportive-educative system
D. Self-care agency system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Orem’s supportive-educative system is used when the patient can perform self-
care but needs help learning how to do it. The nurse acts as a teacher and supporter while
the patient develops new skills for independence. This specific system empowers the
patient to maintain their own health through education. It differs from compensatory
systems where the nurse performs the actual tasks for the patient. Applying this model
helps nurses structure their interventions based on the patient’s level of ability.
2. According to the Roy Adaptation Model, a patient experiencing difficulty adjusting to a
new diagnosis of diabetes is struggling in which adaptive mode?
A. Physiological-physical mode
B. Role function mode
C. Self-concept mode
D. Interdependence mode
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The self-concept mode focuses on the psychological and spiritual aspects of the
human system. A new diagnosis often challenges a person’s sense of self and body image,
leading to a need for adaptation. This mode requires the individual to integrate the change
into their identity to reach a state of integrity. Roy suggests that nurses should assess how
patients perceive themselves in light of health challenges. Understanding these perceptions
allows the nurse to provide targeted emotional and psychological support.
,3. Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings describes the life process as a continuous,
mutual process between the human and environmental fields. What is the term for the
principle that describes the unpredictable, non-linear evolution of these fields?
A. Integrality
B. Helicy
C. Resonancy
D. Entropy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Helicy is the principle that describes the diversity and innovative nature of the
evolution of human and environmental fields. It emphasizes that change is non-linear and
moves toward increasing complexity rather than returning to a previous state. Rogers
viewed the person as an irreducible whole that cannot be understood by looking at parts.
This principle encourages nurses to view health as a creative process of change. Applying
helicy helps clinicians appreciate the unique and evolving nature of each patient’s health
journey.
4. In Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness, what is the primary
role of the nurse when interacting with a patient?
A. To fix the patient’s physiological problems
B. To measure the patient’s compliance with medical orders
C. To reduce environmental stressors for the patient
D. To help the patient recognize the patterns in their life
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Newman’s theory posits that health is a process of expanding consciousness
regardless of the presence of disease. The nurse’s role is to enter into a partnership with
the patient to identify patterns that manifest as health or illness. Pattern recognition allows
the patient to gain insight into their life situation and find new meaning. This approach
shifts the focus from curing a disease to understanding the person’s unique evolution. It
promotes a transformative relationship between the nurse and the person being cared for.
5. Using Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model, which factor is the strongest predictor of a
patient’s intention to engage in a health-promoting behavior?
A. Biological factors like age and BMI
B. Perceived barriers to action
C. Perceived self-efficacy
D. Interpersonal influences
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Perceived self-efficacy refers to the patient’s belief in their ability to
successfully execute a specific health behavior. Pender identifies this as a critical motivator
that directly influences the commitment to a plan of action. Patients with high self-efficacy
are more likely to overcome barriers and sustain healthy lifestyle changes. The model
suggests that nurses can improve outcomes by building a patient’s confidence through
education and small successes. This focus on empowerment is central to the integration of
health promotion in clinical nursing.
6. Hildegard Peplau’s theory of Interpersonal Relations identifies four phases of the nurse-
patient relationship. In which phase does the patient begin to feel a sense of belonging and
starts to capitalize on the resources available?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The exploitation phase occurs when the patient takes full advantage of the
services and resources offered in the clinical setting. During this stage, the patient becomes
an active participant in their own care and starts to move toward independence. The
nurse’s role is to facilitate the use of these resources while maintaining a supportive
relationship. This phase is crucial for the transition from being a passive recipient of care to
an active self-manager. Peplau’s model emphasizes the developmental nature of the
therapeutic interaction.
7. According to Merle Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory, how does a patient typically
view uncertainty during the initial diagnostic phase?
A. As an opportunity for growth
B. As a predictable outcome
C. As a neutral state of mind
D. As a threat to their well-being
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mishel’s theory suggests that uncertainty is initially processed as a stressor or
threat because it disrupts the patient’s cognitive schema. Patients struggle to assign
meaning to illness-related events when information is missing or ambiguous. The nurse
can help decrease this sense of threat by providing clear information and consistent
support. Over time, some patients may reframe uncertainty as an opportunity, but the
Basis of Nursing - St. Thomas University Updated
and Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A nurse is working with a patient who has a self-care deficit following a stroke and is
teaching the patient how to use a reacher tool. According to Orem’s Theory, which nursing
system is the nurse utilizing?
A. Wholly compensatory system
B. Partly compensatory system
C. Supportive-educative system
D. Self-care agency system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Orem’s supportive-educative system is used when the patient can perform self-
care but needs help learning how to do it. The nurse acts as a teacher and supporter while
the patient develops new skills for independence. This specific system empowers the
patient to maintain their own health through education. It differs from compensatory
systems where the nurse performs the actual tasks for the patient. Applying this model
helps nurses structure their interventions based on the patient’s level of ability.
2. According to the Roy Adaptation Model, a patient experiencing difficulty adjusting to a
new diagnosis of diabetes is struggling in which adaptive mode?
A. Physiological-physical mode
B. Role function mode
C. Self-concept mode
D. Interdependence mode
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The self-concept mode focuses on the psychological and spiritual aspects of the
human system. A new diagnosis often challenges a person’s sense of self and body image,
leading to a need for adaptation. This mode requires the individual to integrate the change
into their identity to reach a state of integrity. Roy suggests that nurses should assess how
patients perceive themselves in light of health challenges. Understanding these perceptions
allows the nurse to provide targeted emotional and psychological support.
,3. Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings describes the life process as a continuous,
mutual process between the human and environmental fields. What is the term for the
principle that describes the unpredictable, non-linear evolution of these fields?
A. Integrality
B. Helicy
C. Resonancy
D. Entropy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Helicy is the principle that describes the diversity and innovative nature of the
evolution of human and environmental fields. It emphasizes that change is non-linear and
moves toward increasing complexity rather than returning to a previous state. Rogers
viewed the person as an irreducible whole that cannot be understood by looking at parts.
This principle encourages nurses to view health as a creative process of change. Applying
helicy helps clinicians appreciate the unique and evolving nature of each patient’s health
journey.
4. In Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness, what is the primary
role of the nurse when interacting with a patient?
A. To fix the patient’s physiological problems
B. To measure the patient’s compliance with medical orders
C. To reduce environmental stressors for the patient
D. To help the patient recognize the patterns in their life
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Newman’s theory posits that health is a process of expanding consciousness
regardless of the presence of disease. The nurse’s role is to enter into a partnership with
the patient to identify patterns that manifest as health or illness. Pattern recognition allows
the patient to gain insight into their life situation and find new meaning. This approach
shifts the focus from curing a disease to understanding the person’s unique evolution. It
promotes a transformative relationship between the nurse and the person being cared for.
5. Using Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model, which factor is the strongest predictor of a
patient’s intention to engage in a health-promoting behavior?
A. Biological factors like age and BMI
B. Perceived barriers to action
C. Perceived self-efficacy
D. Interpersonal influences
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Perceived self-efficacy refers to the patient’s belief in their ability to
successfully execute a specific health behavior. Pender identifies this as a critical motivator
that directly influences the commitment to a plan of action. Patients with high self-efficacy
are more likely to overcome barriers and sustain healthy lifestyle changes. The model
suggests that nurses can improve outcomes by building a patient’s confidence through
education and small successes. This focus on empowerment is central to the integration of
health promotion in clinical nursing.
6. Hildegard Peplau’s theory of Interpersonal Relations identifies four phases of the nurse-
patient relationship. In which phase does the patient begin to feel a sense of belonging and
starts to capitalize on the resources available?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The exploitation phase occurs when the patient takes full advantage of the
services and resources offered in the clinical setting. During this stage, the patient becomes
an active participant in their own care and starts to move toward independence. The
nurse’s role is to facilitate the use of these resources while maintaining a supportive
relationship. This phase is crucial for the transition from being a passive recipient of care to
an active self-manager. Peplau’s model emphasizes the developmental nature of the
therapeutic interaction.
7. According to Merle Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory, how does a patient typically
view uncertainty during the initial diagnostic phase?
A. As an opportunity for growth
B. As a predictable outcome
C. As a neutral state of mind
D. As a threat to their well-being
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mishel’s theory suggests that uncertainty is initially processed as a stressor or
threat because it disrupts the patient’s cognitive schema. Patients struggle to assign
meaning to illness-related events when information is missing or ambiguous. The nurse
can help decrease this sense of threat by providing clear information and consistent
support. Over time, some patients may reframe uncertainty as an opportunity, but the
