NURS 600 Week 7 Study Guide - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Practice 2026 |Maryville
1. Which level of nursing theory has a narrower focus and provides a bridge
between grand theories and nursing practice?
A. Meta-theory
B. Grand theory
C. Practice theory
D. Middle-range theory
Answer: D
Rationale: Middle-range theories are more limited in scope and less abstract than grand
theories, making them more applicable to clinical practice and research.
2. According to Meleis, what is the primary focus of the Theory of Transitions?
A. The biological changes of aging
B. The technical skills required for surgery
C. The process of human experiences during life changes
D. The financial transition of hospital management
Answer: C
Rationale: Meleis’s Transitions Theory focuses on how individuals experience and
navigate changes in health, relationships, and environments.
,3. Which of the following is considered a component of ‘transition conditions’ in
Meleis’s theory?
A. Self-care deficits
B. Hospital accreditation
C. Genetic predisposition
D. Meanings and cultural beliefs
Answer: D
Rationale: Transition conditions include personal, community, or societal factors such as
meanings, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic status that facilitate or inhibit transition.
4. What is the primary goal of Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory?
A. To eliminate all patient stress
B. To explain how patients process and adapt to health ambiguity
C. To provide a framework for physical therapy
D. To categorize different types of medications
Answer: B
Rationale: Mishel’s theory explores how patients appraise and cope with the lack of clarity
regarding their illness and treatment.
5. In the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al.), which factor influences
the experience of symptoms?
A. Physiological, psychological, and situational factors
B. The patient’s insurance status
C. The nurse’s years of experience
D. The hospital’s geographical location
Answer: A
Rationale: The theory posits that symptoms are influenced by a combination of
physiological, psychological, and situational factors.
, 6. Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence is primarily used in which patient
population?
A. Neonates in intensive care
B. Individuals facing end-of-life or vulnerability
C. Healthy young athletes
D. Post-operative orthopedic patients only
Answer: B
Rationale: Reed’s theory is particularly relevant for those facing mortality or significant
life crises, emphasizing the expansion of self-boundaries.
7. Which middle-range theory focuses on the interaction between the caregiver
and the care recipient?
A. Theory of Self-Care
B. Theory of Compassion Satisfaction
C. Theory of Unitary Human Beings
D. Swanson’s Theory of Caring
Answer: D
Rationale: Swanson’s Theory of Caring describes five processes: knowing, being with,
doing for, enabling, and maintaining belief.
8. What distinguishes Practice Theories from Middle-Range Theories?
A. Practice theories are more abstract
B. Practice theories are situation-specific and prescriptive
C. Middle-range theories are only used in research
D. Practice theories cannot be tested
Answer: B
Rationale: Practice theories (or situation-specific theories) are the most concrete, focusing
on specific nursing interventions and outcomes.
Practice 2026 |Maryville
1. Which level of nursing theory has a narrower focus and provides a bridge
between grand theories and nursing practice?
A. Meta-theory
B. Grand theory
C. Practice theory
D. Middle-range theory
Answer: D
Rationale: Middle-range theories are more limited in scope and less abstract than grand
theories, making them more applicable to clinical practice and research.
2. According to Meleis, what is the primary focus of the Theory of Transitions?
A. The biological changes of aging
B. The technical skills required for surgery
C. The process of human experiences during life changes
D. The financial transition of hospital management
Answer: C
Rationale: Meleis’s Transitions Theory focuses on how individuals experience and
navigate changes in health, relationships, and environments.
,3. Which of the following is considered a component of ‘transition conditions’ in
Meleis’s theory?
A. Self-care deficits
B. Hospital accreditation
C. Genetic predisposition
D. Meanings and cultural beliefs
Answer: D
Rationale: Transition conditions include personal, community, or societal factors such as
meanings, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic status that facilitate or inhibit transition.
4. What is the primary goal of Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory?
A. To eliminate all patient stress
B. To explain how patients process and adapt to health ambiguity
C. To provide a framework for physical therapy
D. To categorize different types of medications
Answer: B
Rationale: Mishel’s theory explores how patients appraise and cope with the lack of clarity
regarding their illness and treatment.
5. In the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al.), which factor influences
the experience of symptoms?
A. Physiological, psychological, and situational factors
B. The patient’s insurance status
C. The nurse’s years of experience
D. The hospital’s geographical location
Answer: A
Rationale: The theory posits that symptoms are influenced by a combination of
physiological, psychological, and situational factors.
, 6. Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence is primarily used in which patient
population?
A. Neonates in intensive care
B. Individuals facing end-of-life or vulnerability
C. Healthy young athletes
D. Post-operative orthopedic patients only
Answer: B
Rationale: Reed’s theory is particularly relevant for those facing mortality or significant
life crises, emphasizing the expansion of self-boundaries.
7. Which middle-range theory focuses on the interaction between the caregiver
and the care recipient?
A. Theory of Self-Care
B. Theory of Compassion Satisfaction
C. Theory of Unitary Human Beings
D. Swanson’s Theory of Caring
Answer: D
Rationale: Swanson’s Theory of Caring describes five processes: knowing, being with,
doing for, enabling, and maintaining belief.
8. What distinguishes Practice Theories from Middle-Range Theories?
A. Practice theories are more abstract
B. Practice theories are situation-specific and prescriptive
C. Middle-range theories are only used in research
D. Practice theories cannot be tested
Answer: B
Rationale: Practice theories (or situation-specific theories) are the most concrete, focusing
on specific nursing interventions and outcomes.
