NURS 600: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice - Midterm
Exam 1 2026 |Maryville
1. Which of the following is considered one of the four concepts of the nursing
metaparadigm?
A. Diagnosis
B. Pathophysiology
C. Research
D. Environment
Answer: D
Rationale: The four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are Person, Environment,
Health, and Nursing.
2. According to Carper’s patterns of knowing, which pattern focuses on the use
of logical reasoning and scientific data?
A. Esthetics
B. Empirics
C. Personal Knowledge
D. Ethics
Answer: B
Rationale: Empirics is the scientific form of knowing, based on objective, factual, and
verifiable data.
,3. Florence Nightingale’s theory is primarily focused on which aspect of care?
A. Manipulation of the environment
B. Interpersonal relationships
C. Self-care deficits
D. Adaptation to stressors
Answer: A
Rationale: Nightingale’s Environmental Theory emphasizes that the environment is the
primary focus for nursing care to facilitate the body’s reparative processes.
4. Jean Watson is best known for her theory involving which core concept?
A. Goal Attainment
B. Transpersonal Caring
C. Conservation
D. Energy Fields
Answer: B
Rationale: Jean Watson developed the Theory of Human Caring, which focuses on
transpersonal caring relationships and caritas processes.
5. Which level of theory is most specific and limited in scope, often providing
frameworks for specific nursing interventions?
A. Grand Theory
B. Meta-theory
C. Middle-range Theory
D. Practice-level Theory
Answer: D
Rationale: Practice-level theories are situation-specific and provide frameworks for
specific nursing interventions or populations.
, 6. In Patricia Benner’s stages of clinical competence, a nurse who has been on
the job for 2-3 years and can prioritize tasks effectively is at what level?
A. Novice
B. Expert
C. Proficient
D. Competent
Answer: D
Rationale: A Competent nurse (usually 2-3 years experience) can plan and organize care
but may lack the speed and flexibility of more advanced levels.
7. Dorothea Orem’s theory suggests that nursing is required when what occurs?
A. The patient lacks self-care agency to meet self-care requisites
B. The patient is in a high-stress environment
C. The patient is unable to adapt to stimuli
D. The patient’s energy field is disrupted
Answer: A
Rationale: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory states that nursing is needed when a person’s
self-care agency is not sufficient to meet their self-care needs.
8. Hildegard Peplau’s theory focuses on which of the following?
A. The environment’s impact on health
B. The conservation of energy
C. Cultural care diversity
D. The nurse-patient interpersonal relationship
Answer: D
Rationale: Peplau is known for her Interpersonal Relations Theory, which identifies
phases of the nurse-patient relationship.
Exam 1 2026 |Maryville
1. Which of the following is considered one of the four concepts of the nursing
metaparadigm?
A. Diagnosis
B. Pathophysiology
C. Research
D. Environment
Answer: D
Rationale: The four concepts of the nursing metaparadigm are Person, Environment,
Health, and Nursing.
2. According to Carper’s patterns of knowing, which pattern focuses on the use
of logical reasoning and scientific data?
A. Esthetics
B. Empirics
C. Personal Knowledge
D. Ethics
Answer: B
Rationale: Empirics is the scientific form of knowing, based on objective, factual, and
verifiable data.
,3. Florence Nightingale’s theory is primarily focused on which aspect of care?
A. Manipulation of the environment
B. Interpersonal relationships
C. Self-care deficits
D. Adaptation to stressors
Answer: A
Rationale: Nightingale’s Environmental Theory emphasizes that the environment is the
primary focus for nursing care to facilitate the body’s reparative processes.
4. Jean Watson is best known for her theory involving which core concept?
A. Goal Attainment
B. Transpersonal Caring
C. Conservation
D. Energy Fields
Answer: B
Rationale: Jean Watson developed the Theory of Human Caring, which focuses on
transpersonal caring relationships and caritas processes.
5. Which level of theory is most specific and limited in scope, often providing
frameworks for specific nursing interventions?
A. Grand Theory
B. Meta-theory
C. Middle-range Theory
D. Practice-level Theory
Answer: D
Rationale: Practice-level theories are situation-specific and provide frameworks for
specific nursing interventions or populations.
, 6. In Patricia Benner’s stages of clinical competence, a nurse who has been on
the job for 2-3 years and can prioritize tasks effectively is at what level?
A. Novice
B. Expert
C. Proficient
D. Competent
Answer: D
Rationale: A Competent nurse (usually 2-3 years experience) can plan and organize care
but may lack the speed and flexibility of more advanced levels.
7. Dorothea Orem’s theory suggests that nursing is required when what occurs?
A. The patient lacks self-care agency to meet self-care requisites
B. The patient is in a high-stress environment
C. The patient is unable to adapt to stimuli
D. The patient’s energy field is disrupted
Answer: A
Rationale: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory states that nursing is needed when a person’s
self-care agency is not sufficient to meet their self-care needs.
8. Hildegard Peplau’s theory focuses on which of the following?
A. The environment’s impact on health
B. The conservation of energy
C. Cultural care diversity
D. The nurse-patient interpersonal relationship
Answer: D
Rationale: Peplau is known for her Interpersonal Relations Theory, which identifies
phases of the nurse-patient relationship.
