NURS Quiz 2 - Nursing Theory

A nurse observes that certain patients have less pain after procedures than do others, and forms a theory of why this happens. What is a theory? a) a statement of an occurrence based on observed facts b) an understanding borrowed from other disciplines c) a concept used to directly prove a fact or a group of facts d) a "best guess" based on intangible ideas

a) A theory is a group of concepts that describes or explains a process, an occurrence, or an event and is based on observed facts. A theory cannot be proven directly or absolutely, as can a fact.

A nurse caring for patients in a hospital setting focuses on ill patients as the center of all nursing activities performed daily. The nurse also provides care based on helping patients to adapt to the hospital environment. This nurse is following the principles of: a) Myra E. Levine b) Martha Rogers c) Dorothea Orem d) Florence Nightingale

a) Myra E. Levine is a nursing theorist whose central theme is the emphasis on the ill person in the healthcare setting; describing detailed nursing skills and actions. When applied in the clinical practice, the client is the center of nursing activities, with nursing care provided based on four conservation principles to help clients adapt to their environment. Martha Rogers is a nursing theorist who is known for her theory focus of the individual client being central to the discipline of nursing. Nursing interventions are directed toward repatterning human environment fields or assisting in mobilizing inner resources. Dorothea Orem is a nursing theorist whose central theme is that self-care is a human need, and that self-care deficits require nursing actions. This theory can be applied to clinical practice as viewing nursing as a human service, and that nurses design interventions to provide or to manage self-care actions for sustaining health or recovering from illness or injury. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, is also viewed as a nursing theorist. The central theme of Nightingale's work is the meeting of personal needs of the client with the environment. This is applied in clinical practice as concern for the environment of the client, including cleanliness, ventilation, temperature, light, diet, and noise.

Nursing theories are important as they are all directed toward improved client care. Which of the following are goals of nursing theory? (Select all that apply.) a) Increases the nursing body of knowledge b) Provides a rationale for appropriate nursing actions in a given situation c) Identifies and defines concepts that are important to nursing d) Provides knowledge and a rationale for client interventions e) Provides a definition for nursing

a) Increases the nursing body of knowledge b) Provides a rationale for appropriate nursing actions in a given situation c) Identifies and defines concepts that are important to nursing d) Provides knowledge and a rationale for client interventions. Nursing theory does not provide a precise definition of nursing, but does direct nursing to a common goal. The other statements are all true with regard to the goals of nursing theory.

What nursing theorist focuses on rehabilitation as a major outcome of nursing care? a) Lydia Hall b) Jean Watson c) Martha Rogers d) Sr. Callista Roy

a) Lydia Hall The central theme of Lydia Hall's nursing theory has a focus on rehabilitation. The major outcome of nursing care under her theory focuses on rehabilitation and feelings of self-actualization by the patient. Martha Rogers emphasized the science and art of nursing, with the unitary human being central to the discipline of nursing. Jean Watson was concerned with promoting and restoring health, preventing illness, and caring for the sick. Sr. Callista Roy's theme focused on human beings as biopsychosocial beings existing within an environment.

Breaking the healthcare community into separate entities (such as the medical community, the nursing staff, management, support staff) and analyzing how they work as a whole together is an example of which nursing theory? a) general systems theory b) compartment theory c) developmental theory d) adaptation theory

a) general systems theory The general systems theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how the parts work together in "systems." It emphasizes relationships between the whole and the parts and describes how parts function and behave. The adaptation theory defines adaptation as the adjustment of living matter to other living things and to environmental conditions. The developmental theory outlines the process of growth and development of humans as orderly and predictable, beginning with conception and ending with death. Compartment theory is not a nursing theory.

There are four concepts common in all nursing theories. Which one of the four concepts is the focus of nursing? a) Environment b) Person c) Nursing d) Health

b) person The four concepts listed are all common in nursing theory, but the most important—and the focus of nursing—is the person (client).

During the first half of the 20th century, a change in the structure of society resulted in changed roles for women and, in turn, for nursing. What was one of these changes? a) The focus of nursing changed to "hands-on training." b) Nurses organized to advance health. c) Nursing research was conducted and published. d) More women retired from the workforce to raise families.

c) As a result of World Wars I and II, women increasingly entered the workforce and sought higher education. At the same time, nursing began to focus more on education than hands-on training, and nursing research was conducted and published. Advancing health is a goal for the 21st century, according to the IOM.

What is the central theme of Betty Newman's nursing theory? a) Nursing is an art. b) Nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process. c) Humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment. d) Meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment.

c) Betty Neuman's nursing theory states that humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment. Florence Nightingale believed in meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. Nursing is an art is the theory of Ernestine Wiedenbach, while Hildegard Peplau believed nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process.

A nursing theory differs from a theoretical framework in which of the following ways? a) Concepts are in a meaningful configuration b) Describes cause and effect of nursing actions c) Concepts and propositions are more specific and present or explain some phenomenon systematically d) Describes ideas about aggregates

c) The concepts and propositions of a theory are more specific than those of a theoretical framework.

What is the central theme of Hildegard Peplau's nursing theory? a) Meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. b) Humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment. c) Nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process. d) Nursing is an art.

c) Hildegard Peplau believed nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process. Florence Nightingale believed in meeting the personal needs of the patient within the environment. Nursing is an art is the theory of Ernestine Wiedenbach, while Betty Neuman's nursing theory states that humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment.

What is the ultimate goal of expanding nursing knowledge through nursing research? a) Apply knowledge to become independent practitioners. b) Become full-fledged partners with other care providers. c) Learn improved ways to promote and maintain health. d) Develop technology to provide hands-on nursing care.

c) Learn improved ways to promote and maintain health. The ultimate goal of expanding nursing's body of knowledge through nursing research is to learn improved ways to promote and maintain health. Ongoing practice-based research reflects the nursing profession's commitment to meet the ever-changing demands of health care consumers. While doing research also facilitates the development of technology, helps produce independent practitioners, and provides partnerships with other providers of care, those are not the ultimate goals of nursing research.

Why are the developmental theories important to nursing practice? a) They define human adaptation to others and to the environment. b) They describe how parts work together as a system. c) They outline the process of human growth and development. d) They explain the importance of legal and ethical care.

c) They outline the process of human growth and development. Developmental theories outline the process of growth and development of humans as orderly and predictable, beginning with conception and ending with death. Nurses apply this knowledge to develop interventions for people across the life span. Systems theory, adaptation theories, and legal/ethical care are also important to nursing, but these do not explain the importance of human growth and development in nursing care.

Which of the following theories emphasizes the relationships between the whole and the parts, and describes how parts function and behave? a) Developmental theory b) Adaptation theory c) General systems theory d) Nursing theory

c) general systems theory General systems theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then learn how the parts work together in "systems." Nursing theory attempts to describe, explain, predict, and control desired outcomes of nursing care practices. Adaptation theory defines adaptation as the adjustment of living matter to other living things and to environmental conditions. Developmental theory outlines the process of growth and development of humans as orderly and predictable

After reviewing several research articles, the clinical nurse specialist on a medical surgical unit rewrites the procedure on assessing placement of a nasogastric tube. What source of nursing knowledge did the nurse use in this situation? a) Philosophical knowledge b) Traditional knowledge c) Scientific knowledge d) Authoritative knowledge

c) scientific knowledge The clinical nurse specialist utilized scientific knowledge, which is gained through the research-based scientific method. Philosophical knowledge is not a source of nursing knowledge, but is a type of general knowledge. Authoritative knowledge comes from an expert and is accepted as truth based upon the person's perceived expertise. Traditional knowledge is that part of nursing practice passed down from generation to generation and is not based upon scientific inquiry.

In today's healthcare environment nurses use theories to guide all stages of the nursing process. Which of the following are examples of ways that a nurse can utilize theories to guide client care? (Select all that apply.) a) Classify client data. b) Organize client information. c) Collect client data. d) Analyze client situations. e) Make client assignments on the unit.

• Analyze client situations. • Organize client information. • Classify client data. • Collect client data. (a, b, c, d) Assignments on a clinical unit are made by utilizing acuity systems or delegation rather than being based in nursing theory. The other choices are all examples of ways that theory can guide client care.

Of the following, which best explains the importance of theoretic frameworks? a) Theoretic frameworks guide physiologic nursing care. b) Theoretic frameworks advance nursing knowledge and practice. c) Theoretic frameworks advance the ethical aspects of practice. d) Theoretic frameworks guide psychosocial nursing care.

b) Theoretic frameworks advance nursing knowledge and practice. Theoretic frameworks are important to the advancement of nursing knowledge and professional practice.

A nurse providing care for patients has a personal philosophy that nursing interventions should be instituted for patients when they demonstrate ineffective adaptive responses. This nurse's philosophy is based on the theory of: a) Jean Watson b) Sister Callista Roy c) Madeline Leininger d) Imogene M. King

b) Sister Callista Roy is a nursing theorist whose work focused on the central theme that humans are biopsychosocial beings existing within an environment. Needs are created within interrelated adaptive modes: physiological self-concept, role function, and interdependence. When individuals demonstrate ineffective adaptive responses, nursing interventions are required. Madeline Leininger is a nursing theorist whose work focused on caring as the central theme of nursing care, nursing knowledge, and nursing practice. The theory, when applied to clinical practice, provides the foundation of transcultural nursing care. Caring improves human conditions and life processes. Imogene M. King is a nursing theorist whose work focused on the central theme that the client is a personal system within a social system; the nurse and the client experience each other and the situation, act and react, and transact. This theory is exhibited in clinical practice as nursing is a process of human interactions as nurses and clients communicate to mutually set goals, and explore and agree on the means to reach those goals. Jean Watson is a nursing theorist who is known for her focus on caring. The central theme of her work is that nursing is concerned with promoting and restoring health, preventing illness, and caring for the sick. Caring is universal and is practiced through interpersonal relationships.

What phrase best describes the science of nursing? a) application of clinical skills b) body of nursing knowledge c) art of individualized nursing d) holistic patient care

b) The body of knowledge, called a knowledge base or the science of nursing, provides the rationale for nursing interventions in clinical nursing practice. The science of nursing provides the nurse with the knowledge and skills to provide individualized and holistic patient care.

In understanding the historical influences on nursing knowledge, nursing as a profession struggled for years to establish its own identify and to receive recognition for its contributions to health care. Why? a) Nurses were too busy working in practice to increase the public awareness associated with the role of the nurse. b) The conceptual and theoretical basis for nursing practice came from outside the profession. c) Nurses spent most of their time in laboratory settings conducting research. d) Women were independent and refused to work collectively.

b) Despite Florence Nightingale's belief in the uniqueness of nursing, the training of nurses was initially carried out under the direction and control of the medical profession. Because the conceptual and theoretical basis for nursing practice came from outside the profession, nursing struggled for years to establish its own identify and to receive recognition for its significant contributions to health care.

What is the central theme of Florence Nightingale's nursing theory? a) Nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process. b) Meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. c) Nursing is an art. d) Humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment.

b) Florence Nightingale believed in meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. Hildegard Peplau believed nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process. Nursing is an art is the theory of Ernestine Wiedenbach, while Betty Neuman's nursing theory states that humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment.

Which of the following research studies would be of most interest to a nurse manager? a) Madeleine Leininger's transcultural nursing theory b) Patricia Benner's From Novice to Expert c) Sister Callista Roy's theory on adaptation d) Kleinpell and Ferrans' older intensive-care clients

b) Research affects the clinical practice of nurses in all areas, particularly in relation to the goals of nursing. Benner's research will assist a nurse manager to support all levels of his or her staff.

A nursing student is reading a research article from a nursing journal. The student is aware that the opening paragraph summarizing the article (and the findings of the research) is a good place to start. What part of the article is the nursing student reading? a) Results b) Abstract c) Review of the literature d) Conclusions

b) Abstract The abstract is located at the beginning of the article, and it summarizes the entire article and usually provides the purpose of the study, a description of the subjects, data collection and data analysis, and a summary of important findings. The review of literature discusses relevant studies that have been conducted in the area of this study, and it is included in the introduction. The results are the findings of the study and are often presented both in words and charts, tables, or graphs. The conclusions are the discussions of the results and suggestions for further study.

A nursing student has been asked to correlate her clinical experiences with two different theories of nursing. The student will recognize that which of the following concepts are common to all theories of nursing? Select all that apply. a) Needs b) Nursing c) Illness d) The client e) The environment

b) Nursing d) The client e) The environment While nursing theories vary significantly in their conceptualizations, the elements that are common to all include the client (person), the environment, health, and nursing. The concepts of needs and illness are addressed by some theories but these are not explicitly defined by other theories.

Which of the following are characteristics of nursing theories? Select all that apply. a) They are based on descriptions of what nursing should be. b) They help resolve current nursing issues and establish trends. c) They provide rational reasons for nursing interventions. d) They provide a base for discussion of nursing issues. e) They provide a knowledge base for appropriate nursing responses.

b) They help resolve current nursing issues and establish trends. c) They provide rational reasons for nursing interventions. d) They provide a base for discussion of nursing issues. e) They provide a knowledge base for appropriate nursing responses. Nursing theory provides rational and knowledgeable reasons for nursing interventions, based on descriptions of what nursing is and what nurses do. Additionally, nursing theory gives nurses the knowledge base necessary for acting and responding appropriately in various situations. It also provides a base for discussion, and, ideally, helps resolve current nursing issues. Nursing theories should be simple and general; simple terminology and broadly applicable concepts ensure their usefulness in a wide variety of nursing practice situations.

A nurse observes that the past five patients referred from a certain community clinic have been treated for drug and/or alcohol overdose. Based on this information, the nurse assumes that the clinic specializes in the treatment of substance abuse. This is an example of what type of reasoning? a) Nursing process b) General systems theory c) Deductive reasoning d) Inductive reasoning

d) Inductive theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how the parts work together in "systems." It emphasizes relationships between the whole and the parts and describes how parts function and behave. Reasoning is when the research builds from a specific idea or action to conclusions about general ideas. Deductive reasoning is the opposite of inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is research where a general idea is the starting point, then considers specific actions or ideas. General systems theory is an example of an interdisciplinary base for a nursing theory. This theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how the parts work together in "systems." It emphasizes relationships between the whole and the parts and describes how parts function and behave. The nursing process is a five step systematic method used to direct the nurse and patient as they work together to develop a plan of care.

A nurse performs an initial assessment of the client admitted with stroke and prepares a nursing care plan along with the nursing diagnosis. Which of the following nursing diagnoses should be a priority for nursing intervention based on Maslow's theory of human needs? a) Ineffective coping related to disease condition b) Altered family process related to disease condition c) Low self-esteem related to dependency on the caretaker d) Altered nutrition less than body weight

d) Altered nutrition less than body weight should be a priority for nursing intervention. According to Maslow's theory of human needs, physiologic needs should be met first. Altered nutrition in the client is a physiologic need; therefore, it is a priority. Ineffective coping related to disease condition and low self-esteem relate to dependency on the caretaker, and altered family process related to disease condition are self-esteem and self-actualization needs that can be met later.

A staff nurse asks a student, "Why in the world are you studying nursing theory?" How would the student best respond? a) "Our school requires we take it before we can graduate." b) "We do it so we know more than your generation did." c) "I think it explains how we should collaborate with others." d) "It helps explain how nursing is different from medicine."

d) "It helps explain how nursing is different from medicine." Nursing theory differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities in that it serves the purpose of describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices.

Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, when prioritizing a patient's plan of care, what would be the nurse's first priority? a) Allowing the family to see a newly admitted patient. b) Ambulating the patient in the hallway. c) Teaching the patient to self administer insulin d) Administering pain medication.

d) Administering pain medication. In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, pain relief addresses the patient's basic physiologic need. Activity, such as ambulation is a higher level need above the physiologic need. Allowing the patient to see his family addresses a higher level need related to love and belonging. Teaching the patient is also a higher level need related to the desire to know and understand and is not appropriate at this time, as the basic physiologic need of pain control must be addressed before the patient can address these higher level needs.