, Question 1
A nurse scholar is comparing the epistemological foundations of two nursing
theories: one grounded in critical social theory and another in postpositivism.
Which statement best captures the fundamental difference in how each theory
would approach the generation of nursing knowledge?
A. The critical social theory approach seeks universal, context-free laws,
while the postpositivist approach emphasizes emancipatory knowledge.
B. The critical social theory approach values subjective, situated
knowledge and power analysis, while the postpositivist approach seeks
objective, generalizable truths through empirical verification.
C. Both approaches reject the notion of a single reality and prioritize
participant co-construction of meaning.
D. The postpositivist approach is primarily concerned with historical
power imbalances, whereas critical social theory focuses on falsifiable
hypotheses.
Correct Answer: B - The critical social theory approach values
subjective, situated knowledge and power analysis, while the
postpositivist approach seeks objective, generalizable truths
through empirical verification.
RATIONALE
Critical social theory is rooted in emancipatory knowledge, power
dynamics, and situated subjectivity, while postpositivism assumes an
objective reality that can be approximated through rigorous, falsifiable
methods. Option A reverses these commitments. Option C incorrectly
equates both as constructivist. Option D inverts the core concerns of
each paradigm.
Question 2
During a concept analysis of 'resilience' in family caregivers, a nurse researcher
uses the hybrid model. Which sequence of steps correctly reflects this method?
Page 2
, A. Theoretical phase, fieldwork phase, final analytic phase
B. Concept selection, literature review, case vignettes, model case
construction
C. Empirical phase, interpretive phase, synthesis phase
D. Phenomenological reduction, bracketing, textural description
Correct Answer: A - Theoretical phase, fieldwork phase, final
analytic phase
RATIONALE
The hybrid model of concept development (Schwartz-Barcott & Kim)
involves three phases: theoretical, fieldwork, and final analytic.
Option B describes Walker and Avant's approach. Option C is not a
recognized concept analysis method. Option D pertains to
phenomenological research, not concept analysis.
Question 3
A middle-range theory of self-management in chronic illness is being
evaluated for its applicability to adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Which
criterion is most critical for determining the theory's empirical adequacy in this
population?
A. The theory's parsimony and logical coherence
B. The theory's congruence with the nursing metaparadigm
C. The theory's ability to predict self-management behaviors and
glycemic control in adolescents
D. The theory's alignment with Orem's self-care deficit theory
Correct Answer: C - The theory's ability to predict
self-management behaviors and glycemic control in adolescents
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Empirical adequacy refers to the theory's capacity to be tested and
supported by evidence in the target population; thus predictive ability
for specific outcomes is paramount. Parsimony and logical coherence
address internal structure, not empirical adequacy. Metaparadigm
congruence is philosophical, and alignment with another theory is not
an empirical criterion.
Question 4
A hospital is implementing a new fall prevention protocol based on the Theory
of Planned Behavior. Which intervention best reflects the theory's core
constructs?
A. Providing financial incentives for nurses who report falls
B. Training nurses to improve their attitude, subjective norms, and
perceived behavioral control regarding fall prevention
C. Mandating fall risk assessments every shift with electronic reminders
D. Conducting root cause analyses after every fall
Correct Answer: B - Training nurses to improve their attitude,
subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding fall
prevention
RATIONALE
The Theory of Planned Behavior posits that intention is driven by
attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Training
that targets these constructs directly applies the theory. Incentives
address external motivation, mandates are structural, and root cause
analysis is retrospective and not theory-based.
Question 5
A nurse educator is designing a simulation for graduate students to apply
Meleis's Transition Theory to a family experiencing migration. Which concept
is most essential to include in the debriefing to capture the theory's core?
Page 4
A nurse scholar is comparing the epistemological foundations of two nursing
theories: one grounded in critical social theory and another in postpositivism.
Which statement best captures the fundamental difference in how each theory
would approach the generation of nursing knowledge?
A. The critical social theory approach seeks universal, context-free laws,
while the postpositivist approach emphasizes emancipatory knowledge.
B. The critical social theory approach values subjective, situated
knowledge and power analysis, while the postpositivist approach seeks
objective, generalizable truths through empirical verification.
C. Both approaches reject the notion of a single reality and prioritize
participant co-construction of meaning.
D. The postpositivist approach is primarily concerned with historical
power imbalances, whereas critical social theory focuses on falsifiable
hypotheses.
Correct Answer: B - The critical social theory approach values
subjective, situated knowledge and power analysis, while the
postpositivist approach seeks objective, generalizable truths
through empirical verification.
RATIONALE
Critical social theory is rooted in emancipatory knowledge, power
dynamics, and situated subjectivity, while postpositivism assumes an
objective reality that can be approximated through rigorous, falsifiable
methods. Option A reverses these commitments. Option C incorrectly
equates both as constructivist. Option D inverts the core concerns of
each paradigm.
Question 2
During a concept analysis of 'resilience' in family caregivers, a nurse researcher
uses the hybrid model. Which sequence of steps correctly reflects this method?
Page 2
, A. Theoretical phase, fieldwork phase, final analytic phase
B. Concept selection, literature review, case vignettes, model case
construction
C. Empirical phase, interpretive phase, synthesis phase
D. Phenomenological reduction, bracketing, textural description
Correct Answer: A - Theoretical phase, fieldwork phase, final
analytic phase
RATIONALE
The hybrid model of concept development (Schwartz-Barcott & Kim)
involves three phases: theoretical, fieldwork, and final analytic.
Option B describes Walker and Avant's approach. Option C is not a
recognized concept analysis method. Option D pertains to
phenomenological research, not concept analysis.
Question 3
A middle-range theory of self-management in chronic illness is being
evaluated for its applicability to adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Which
criterion is most critical for determining the theory's empirical adequacy in this
population?
A. The theory's parsimony and logical coherence
B. The theory's congruence with the nursing metaparadigm
C. The theory's ability to predict self-management behaviors and
glycemic control in adolescents
D. The theory's alignment with Orem's self-care deficit theory
Correct Answer: C - The theory's ability to predict
self-management behaviors and glycemic control in adolescents
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Empirical adequacy refers to the theory's capacity to be tested and
supported by evidence in the target population; thus predictive ability
for specific outcomes is paramount. Parsimony and logical coherence
address internal structure, not empirical adequacy. Metaparadigm
congruence is philosophical, and alignment with another theory is not
an empirical criterion.
Question 4
A hospital is implementing a new fall prevention protocol based on the Theory
of Planned Behavior. Which intervention best reflects the theory's core
constructs?
A. Providing financial incentives for nurses who report falls
B. Training nurses to improve their attitude, subjective norms, and
perceived behavioral control regarding fall prevention
C. Mandating fall risk assessments every shift with electronic reminders
D. Conducting root cause analyses after every fall
Correct Answer: B - Training nurses to improve their attitude,
subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding fall
prevention
RATIONALE
The Theory of Planned Behavior posits that intention is driven by
attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Training
that targets these constructs directly applies the theory. Incentives
address external motivation, mandates are structural, and root cause
analysis is retrospective and not theory-based.
Question 5
A nurse educator is designing a simulation for graduate students to apply
Meleis's Transition Theory to a family experiencing migration. Which concept
is most essential to include in the debriefing to capture the theory's core?
Page 4
