NURSING THEORIES AND
NURSING PRACTICE
6TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)MARLAINE SMITH
TEST BANK
1. Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline
of Nursing
Stem: A new graduate nurse is caring for a patient with heart
failure who has worsening dyspnea, anxiety, and difficulty
following the fluid restriction plan. The preceptor asks what
nursing theory contributes to this situation beyond completing
routine tasks. The graduate nurse needs to explain how theory
supports professional nursing judgment.
,Options:
A. It provides a systematic way to organize assessment,
interpret patient needs, and guide interventions.
B. It replaces the need for clinical assessment because theory
already contains the answer.
C. It is useful only for nursing research, not bedside care.
D. It is primarily a historical record of how nursing developed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A. Correct. Nursing theory helps nurses organize patient data,
identify meaningful patterns, and select interventions based on
a disciplined way of thinking. In practice, theory strengthens
clinical judgment rather than replacing it.
B. Incorrect. Theory does not eliminate assessment; it depends
on assessment data to be applied correctly.
C. Incorrect. Nursing theory is relevant to practice, education,
leadership, and research, not research alone.
D. Incorrect. While theory development is part of nursing
history, its main value is in guiding current practice and
knowledge development.
Teaching Point: Theory organizes assessment and sharpens
nursing judgment.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
, 2. Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline
of Nursing
Stem: During orientation, a nurse manager explains that
nursing is more than a set of tasks delegated by medicine. She
says the unit needs nurses who can think independently about
patient responses, outcomes, and priorities. The staff is asked
what makes nursing a discipline.
Options:
A. A body of specialized knowledge focused on human
responses to health and illness
B. A collection of physician orders carried out at the bedside
C. A skill set based mainly on tradition and habit
D. A support role that does not require a separate knowledge
base
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A. Correct. A discipline is defined by its own body of
knowledge, concepts, and ways of knowing. Nursing is a
discipline because it studies and responds to human
experiences of health, illness, and care.
B. Incorrect. Carrying out physician orders is only one part of
nursing work and does not define the discipline.
, C. Incorrect. Nursing is not based only on tradition; it uses
theory, research, and professional judgment.
D. Incorrect. Nursing does require a distinct knowledge base
and independent clinical reasoning.
Teaching Point: Nursing is a discipline with its own knowledge
and perspective.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
3. Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline
of Nursing
Stem: A community nurse is planning a home visit for an older
adult who has diabetes, lives alone, and reports feeling unsafe
in the neighborhood. The nurse considers the person’s
condition, home setting, and available support. Which nursing
metaparadigm concept is most directly reflected by the nurse’s
attention to neighborhood safety?
Options:
A. Person
B. Health
C. Environment
D. Nursing
Correct Answer: C
NURSING PRACTICE
6TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)MARLAINE SMITH
TEST BANK
1. Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline
of Nursing
Stem: A new graduate nurse is caring for a patient with heart
failure who has worsening dyspnea, anxiety, and difficulty
following the fluid restriction plan. The preceptor asks what
nursing theory contributes to this situation beyond completing
routine tasks. The graduate nurse needs to explain how theory
supports professional nursing judgment.
,Options:
A. It provides a systematic way to organize assessment,
interpret patient needs, and guide interventions.
B. It replaces the need for clinical assessment because theory
already contains the answer.
C. It is useful only for nursing research, not bedside care.
D. It is primarily a historical record of how nursing developed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A. Correct. Nursing theory helps nurses organize patient data,
identify meaningful patterns, and select interventions based on
a disciplined way of thinking. In practice, theory strengthens
clinical judgment rather than replacing it.
B. Incorrect. Theory does not eliminate assessment; it depends
on assessment data to be applied correctly.
C. Incorrect. Nursing theory is relevant to practice, education,
leadership, and research, not research alone.
D. Incorrect. While theory development is part of nursing
history, its main value is in guiding current practice and
knowledge development.
Teaching Point: Theory organizes assessment and sharpens
nursing judgment.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
, 2. Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline
of Nursing
Stem: During orientation, a nurse manager explains that
nursing is more than a set of tasks delegated by medicine. She
says the unit needs nurses who can think independently about
patient responses, outcomes, and priorities. The staff is asked
what makes nursing a discipline.
Options:
A. A body of specialized knowledge focused on human
responses to health and illness
B. A collection of physician orders carried out at the bedside
C. A skill set based mainly on tradition and habit
D. A support role that does not require a separate knowledge
base
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A. Correct. A discipline is defined by its own body of
knowledge, concepts, and ways of knowing. Nursing is a
discipline because it studies and responds to human
experiences of health, illness, and care.
B. Incorrect. Carrying out physician orders is only one part of
nursing work and does not define the discipline.
, C. Incorrect. Nursing is not based only on tradition; it uses
theory, research, and professional judgment.
D. Incorrect. Nursing does require a distinct knowledge base
and independent clinical reasoning.
Teaching Point: Nursing is a discipline with its own knowledge
and perspective.
Citation: Smith, M. (n.d.). Nursing Theories and Nursing
Practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
3. Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline
of Nursing
Stem: A community nurse is planning a home visit for an older
adult who has diabetes, lives alone, and reports feeling unsafe
in the neighborhood. The nurse considers the person’s
condition, home setting, and available support. Which nursing
metaparadigm concept is most directly reflected by the nurse’s
attention to neighborhood safety?
Options:
A. Person
B. Health
C. Environment
D. Nursing
Correct Answer: C
