1
,Contents
Chapter 1: Philosophy of Science: An Introduction and a Grounding for Your Practice ......... 3
Chapter 2: The Evolution of Nursing Science.................................................................. 15
Chapter 3: The Essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Philosophical Perspective 28
Chapter 4: Theory as Practice ........................................................................................ 36
Chapter 5: Components and Levels of Abstraction in Nursing Knowledge ...................... 44
Chapter 6: Complexity Science and Complex Adaptive Systems ..................................... 54
Chapter 7: Critical Theory and Emancipatory Knowing .................................................. 62
Chapter 8: Feminist Ethics: Some Applicable Thoughts for Advanced Practice Nurses .... 71
Chapter 9: Theories and Models in Ethics ...................................................................... 80
Chapter 10: Educational and Learning Theories ............................................................. 90
Chapter 11: Health Behavior Theories ......................................................................... 100
Chapter 12: Theories Focused on Interpersonal Relationships ..................................... 108
Chapter 13: Environmental Philosophy and Theories ................................................... 118
Chapter 14: Economic Theories ................................................................................... 127
Chapter 15: Theories of Organizational Behavior and Leadership ................................ 138
Chapter 16: Theoretical Approaches to Quality Improvement ..................................... 147
Chapter 17: Theories Focused on Health Equity and Health Disparities ........................ 155
Chapter 18: Models and Theories Focused on Nursing Goals and Functions ................. 163
Chapter 19: Models and Theories Focused on a Systems Approach .............................. 172
Chapter 20: Models and Theories Focused on Human Existence and Universal Energy . 182
Chapter 21: Models and Theories Focused on Competencies and Skills ........................ 190
Chapter 22: Theories Focused on Caring ...................................................................... 198
Chapter 23: Models and Theories Focused on Culture ................................................. 205
Chapter 24: The Praxis Theory of Suffering .................................................................. 211
Chapter 25: Theory Testing and Theory Evaluation ...................................................... 221
Chapter 26: Using Theory in Evidence-Based Advanced Nursing Practice ..................... 229
2
,Chapter 1: Philosophy of Science: An Introduction and a Grounding for Your Practice
1. Which of the following best describes the primary aim of philosophy of science
in nursing practice?
A. To create empirical nursing theories
B. To provide a foundation for nursing practice by understanding the nature of
knowledge
C. To promote clinical practice over theoretical reasoning
D. To challenge the clinical decision-making processes of nurses
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The philosophy of science in nursing focuses on understanding the
nature, scope, and implications of knowledge. It explores how scientific knowledge
is constructed and applied, grounding nursing practice in broader theoretical
principles. This foundation helps nurses make informed decisions based on a solid
conceptual framework.
2. What is the relationship between philosophy and the development of nursing
theory?
A. Philosophy dictates all practical aspects of nursing
B. Philosophy serves as the basis for the development of theoretical frameworks in
nursing
C. Philosophy and nursing theory are independent of each other
D. Nursing theory is developed from clinical evidence alone, without philosophical
influence
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Philosophy provides the underlying reasoning and justification for
nursing theories. It helps nurses explore essential questions about human nature,
health, and the purpose of nursing, leading to the development of theoretical
models that guide practice.
3
, 3. Which statement reflects the role of nursing science in the context of
philosophical inquiry?
A. Nursing science should be grounded solely in empirically validated knowledge
B. Nursing science applies philosophical concepts to inform ethical decision-
making and patient care
C. Nursing science and philosophy are mutually exclusive and do not intersect
D. Philosophy in nursing focuses only on abstract theories with no clinical
application
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing science draws on philosophical concepts to guide ethical
considerations and patient care practices. Philosophical inquiry shapes the way
nursing professionals conceptualize health, illness, and patient-centered care,
which directly impacts clinical practice and policy.
4. How does the philosophy of science in nursing differ from general philosophy?
A. It is concerned exclusively with ethical issues in nursing practice
B. It integrates scientific reasoning to address nursing-specific phenomena
C. It only deals with patient care and health systems
D. It focuses solely on the historical development of nursing
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The philosophy of science in nursing integrates scientific reasoning to
understand nursing-specific issues, including patient care, the role of nurses, and
the nature of health and illness. It differs from general philosophy by being applied
specifically to the nursing profession.
5. What does the term "paradigm" refer to in the philosophy of science as it
pertains to nursing?
A. A specific nursing diagnosis method
B. A pattern or model that guides the practice and research of nursing
C. The medical model of disease treatment
D. A regulatory framework for nursing practice
4
,Contents
Chapter 1: Philosophy of Science: An Introduction and a Grounding for Your Practice ......... 3
Chapter 2: The Evolution of Nursing Science.................................................................. 15
Chapter 3: The Essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Philosophical Perspective 28
Chapter 4: Theory as Practice ........................................................................................ 36
Chapter 5: Components and Levels of Abstraction in Nursing Knowledge ...................... 44
Chapter 6: Complexity Science and Complex Adaptive Systems ..................................... 54
Chapter 7: Critical Theory and Emancipatory Knowing .................................................. 62
Chapter 8: Feminist Ethics: Some Applicable Thoughts for Advanced Practice Nurses .... 71
Chapter 9: Theories and Models in Ethics ...................................................................... 80
Chapter 10: Educational and Learning Theories ............................................................. 90
Chapter 11: Health Behavior Theories ......................................................................... 100
Chapter 12: Theories Focused on Interpersonal Relationships ..................................... 108
Chapter 13: Environmental Philosophy and Theories ................................................... 118
Chapter 14: Economic Theories ................................................................................... 127
Chapter 15: Theories of Organizational Behavior and Leadership ................................ 138
Chapter 16: Theoretical Approaches to Quality Improvement ..................................... 147
Chapter 17: Theories Focused on Health Equity and Health Disparities ........................ 155
Chapter 18: Models and Theories Focused on Nursing Goals and Functions ................. 163
Chapter 19: Models and Theories Focused on a Systems Approach .............................. 172
Chapter 20: Models and Theories Focused on Human Existence and Universal Energy . 182
Chapter 21: Models and Theories Focused on Competencies and Skills ........................ 190
Chapter 22: Theories Focused on Caring ...................................................................... 198
Chapter 23: Models and Theories Focused on Culture ................................................. 205
Chapter 24: The Praxis Theory of Suffering .................................................................. 211
Chapter 25: Theory Testing and Theory Evaluation ...................................................... 221
Chapter 26: Using Theory in Evidence-Based Advanced Nursing Practice ..................... 229
2
,Chapter 1: Philosophy of Science: An Introduction and a Grounding for Your Practice
1. Which of the following best describes the primary aim of philosophy of science
in nursing practice?
A. To create empirical nursing theories
B. To provide a foundation for nursing practice by understanding the nature of
knowledge
C. To promote clinical practice over theoretical reasoning
D. To challenge the clinical decision-making processes of nurses
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The philosophy of science in nursing focuses on understanding the
nature, scope, and implications of knowledge. It explores how scientific knowledge
is constructed and applied, grounding nursing practice in broader theoretical
principles. This foundation helps nurses make informed decisions based on a solid
conceptual framework.
2. What is the relationship between philosophy and the development of nursing
theory?
A. Philosophy dictates all practical aspects of nursing
B. Philosophy serves as the basis for the development of theoretical frameworks in
nursing
C. Philosophy and nursing theory are independent of each other
D. Nursing theory is developed from clinical evidence alone, without philosophical
influence
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Philosophy provides the underlying reasoning and justification for
nursing theories. It helps nurses explore essential questions about human nature,
health, and the purpose of nursing, leading to the development of theoretical
models that guide practice.
3
, 3. Which statement reflects the role of nursing science in the context of
philosophical inquiry?
A. Nursing science should be grounded solely in empirically validated knowledge
B. Nursing science applies philosophical concepts to inform ethical decision-
making and patient care
C. Nursing science and philosophy are mutually exclusive and do not intersect
D. Philosophy in nursing focuses only on abstract theories with no clinical
application
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing science draws on philosophical concepts to guide ethical
considerations and patient care practices. Philosophical inquiry shapes the way
nursing professionals conceptualize health, illness, and patient-centered care,
which directly impacts clinical practice and policy.
4. How does the philosophy of science in nursing differ from general philosophy?
A. It is concerned exclusively with ethical issues in nursing practice
B. It integrates scientific reasoning to address nursing-specific phenomena
C. It only deals with patient care and health systems
D. It focuses solely on the historical development of nursing
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The philosophy of science in nursing integrates scientific reasoning to
understand nursing-specific issues, including patient care, the role of nurses, and
the nature of health and illness. It differs from general philosophy by being applied
specifically to the nursing profession.
5. What does the term "paradigm" refer to in the philosophy of science as it
pertains to nursing?
A. A specific nursing diagnosis method
B. A pattern or model that guides the practice and research of nursing
C. The medical model of disease treatment
D. A regulatory framework for nursing practice
4
