1
,Contents
Chapter 1: Philosophy, Science, and Nursing ............................................................................3
Chapter 2: Overview of Theory in Nursing ............................................................................. 10
Chapter 3: Concept Development: Clarifying Meaning of Terms ................................................. 21
Chapter 4: Theory Development: Structuring Conceptual Relationships in Nursing ..................... 34
Chapter 5: Theory Analysis and Evaluation ................................................................................ 46
Chapter 6: Overview of Grand Nursing Theories ........................................................................ 57
Chapter 7: Grand Nursing Theories Based on Human Needs ....................................................... 68
Chapter 8: Grand Nursing Theories Based on Interactive Process ............................................... 78
Chapter 9: Grand Nursing Theories Based on Unitary Process .................................................... 88
Chapter 10: Introduction to Middle Range Nursing Theories ...................................................... 99
Chapter 11: Overview of Selected Middle Range Nursing Theories ........................................... 108
Chapter 12: Theories from the Sociologic Sciences ................................................................... 119
Chapter 13: Theories from the Behavioral Sciences .................................................................. 130
Chapter 14: Theories from the Biomedical Sciences ................................................................. 141
Chapter 15: Theories from the Management Sciences.............................................................. 152
Chapter 16: Application of Theory in Nursing Practice .............................................................. 162
Chapter 17: Application of Theory in Nursing Education ........................................................... 172
Chapter 18: Application of Theory in Nursing Administration ................................................... 182
Chapter 19: Application of Theory in Nursing Research ............................................................ 191
2
,Chapter 1: Philosophy, Science, and Nursing
1. Which of the following best defines the relationship between philosophy
and nursing science?
A) Philosophy serves as the foundation for nursing research methods.
B) Philosophy is unrelated to the practice of nursing science.
C) Philosophy influences the development of nursing theories and practices.
D) Philosophy is only relevant in theoretical nursing, not clinical practice.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Philosophy influences the development of
nursing theories and practices.
Rationale: Philosophy provides the foundational principles that guide
nursing science, influencing both theory development and clinical practice.
It shapes the ethical, ontological, and epistemological frameworks within
which nursing operates.
2. Which philosophical theory is most directly linked to nursing's focus on
holistic care?
A) Empiricism
B) Pragmatism
C) Existentialism
D) Humanism
✅ Correct Answer: D) Humanism
Rationale: Humanism emphasizes the importance of individual dignity and
the holistic nature of care, which aligns closely with nursing's emphasis on
treating the whole person — considering emotional, physical, and spiritual
aspects of health.
3. How does science contribute to nursing theory development?
A) By proving nursing concepts through randomized controlled trials
B) By providing evidence to refine and validate nursing practices
C) By disregarding patient experiences in favor of biological data
D) By replacing philosophy with empirical facts
✅ Correct Answer: B) By providing evidence to refine and validate
nursing practices
3
, Rationale: Science supports the development of nursing theory by offering
evidence-based insights that refine practices, validate interventions, and
ensure nursing care is both effective and grounded in data.
4. Which of the following best describes the relationship between nursing
theory and scientific knowledge?
A) Nursing theory is independent of scientific knowledge.
B) Nursing theory uses scientific knowledge to provide practical solutions
for patient care.
C) Scientific knowledge is irrelevant to the development of nursing theory.
D) Scientific knowledge is the only basis for nursing theory development.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Nursing theory uses scientific knowledge to
provide practical solutions for patient care.
Rationale: Nursing theory is built upon scientific knowledge and is used to
address real-world clinical issues, guiding practice with evidence-based
insights.
5. What role does epistemology play in nursing science?
A) It concerns the study of human emotions in health care.
B) It focuses on the relationship between theory and practice in nursing.
C) It defines the methods and sources of acquiring nursing knowledge.
D) It deals with the ethics of patient care in clinical settings.
✅ Correct Answer: C) It defines the methods and sources of acquiring
nursing knowledge.
Rationale: Epistemology in nursing science is concerned with
understanding how knowledge is created, validated, and applied in nursing
practice, including methods like observation, research, and personal
experience.
6. Which philosophical approach stresses the importance of nurses
considering the lived experiences of patients?
A) Empiricism
B) Phenomenology
C) Rationalism
D) Pragmatism
4
,Contents
Chapter 1: Philosophy, Science, and Nursing ............................................................................3
Chapter 2: Overview of Theory in Nursing ............................................................................. 10
Chapter 3: Concept Development: Clarifying Meaning of Terms ................................................. 21
Chapter 4: Theory Development: Structuring Conceptual Relationships in Nursing ..................... 34
Chapter 5: Theory Analysis and Evaluation ................................................................................ 46
Chapter 6: Overview of Grand Nursing Theories ........................................................................ 57
Chapter 7: Grand Nursing Theories Based on Human Needs ....................................................... 68
Chapter 8: Grand Nursing Theories Based on Interactive Process ............................................... 78
Chapter 9: Grand Nursing Theories Based on Unitary Process .................................................... 88
Chapter 10: Introduction to Middle Range Nursing Theories ...................................................... 99
Chapter 11: Overview of Selected Middle Range Nursing Theories ........................................... 108
Chapter 12: Theories from the Sociologic Sciences ................................................................... 119
Chapter 13: Theories from the Behavioral Sciences .................................................................. 130
Chapter 14: Theories from the Biomedical Sciences ................................................................. 141
Chapter 15: Theories from the Management Sciences.............................................................. 152
Chapter 16: Application of Theory in Nursing Practice .............................................................. 162
Chapter 17: Application of Theory in Nursing Education ........................................................... 172
Chapter 18: Application of Theory in Nursing Administration ................................................... 182
Chapter 19: Application of Theory in Nursing Research ............................................................ 191
2
,Chapter 1: Philosophy, Science, and Nursing
1. Which of the following best defines the relationship between philosophy
and nursing science?
A) Philosophy serves as the foundation for nursing research methods.
B) Philosophy is unrelated to the practice of nursing science.
C) Philosophy influences the development of nursing theories and practices.
D) Philosophy is only relevant in theoretical nursing, not clinical practice.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Philosophy influences the development of
nursing theories and practices.
Rationale: Philosophy provides the foundational principles that guide
nursing science, influencing both theory development and clinical practice.
It shapes the ethical, ontological, and epistemological frameworks within
which nursing operates.
2. Which philosophical theory is most directly linked to nursing's focus on
holistic care?
A) Empiricism
B) Pragmatism
C) Existentialism
D) Humanism
✅ Correct Answer: D) Humanism
Rationale: Humanism emphasizes the importance of individual dignity and
the holistic nature of care, which aligns closely with nursing's emphasis on
treating the whole person — considering emotional, physical, and spiritual
aspects of health.
3. How does science contribute to nursing theory development?
A) By proving nursing concepts through randomized controlled trials
B) By providing evidence to refine and validate nursing practices
C) By disregarding patient experiences in favor of biological data
D) By replacing philosophy with empirical facts
✅ Correct Answer: B) By providing evidence to refine and validate
nursing practices
3
, Rationale: Science supports the development of nursing theory by offering
evidence-based insights that refine practices, validate interventions, and
ensure nursing care is both effective and grounded in data.
4. Which of the following best describes the relationship between nursing
theory and scientific knowledge?
A) Nursing theory is independent of scientific knowledge.
B) Nursing theory uses scientific knowledge to provide practical solutions
for patient care.
C) Scientific knowledge is irrelevant to the development of nursing theory.
D) Scientific knowledge is the only basis for nursing theory development.
✅ Correct Answer: B) Nursing theory uses scientific knowledge to
provide practical solutions for patient care.
Rationale: Nursing theory is built upon scientific knowledge and is used to
address real-world clinical issues, guiding practice with evidence-based
insights.
5. What role does epistemology play in nursing science?
A) It concerns the study of human emotions in health care.
B) It focuses on the relationship between theory and practice in nursing.
C) It defines the methods and sources of acquiring nursing knowledge.
D) It deals with the ethics of patient care in clinical settings.
✅ Correct Answer: C) It defines the methods and sources of acquiring
nursing knowledge.
Rationale: Epistemology in nursing science is concerned with
understanding how knowledge is created, validated, and applied in nursing
practice, including methods like observation, research, and personal
experience.
6. Which philosophical approach stresses the importance of nurses
considering the lived experiences of patients?
A) Empiricism
B) Phenomenology
C) Rationalism
D) Pragmatism
4
