After reviewing several research articles, the clinical nurse specialist on a medical-surgical unit
rewrites the procedure on assessing placement of a nasogastric tube. What source of nursing
knowledge did the nurse use in this situation?
a) scientific knowledge
b) authoritative knowledge
c) traditional knowledge
d) philosophical knowledge a) scientific knowledge
The clinical nurse specialist utilized scientific knowledge, which is arrived at through the
research-based scientific method.
Philosophical knowledge is not a source of nursing knowledge, but is a type of general
knowledge. Authoritative knowledge comes from an expert and is accepted as truth based on
the person's perceived expertise. Traditional knowledge is that part of nursing practice passed
down from generation to generation and is not based upon scientific inquiry.
Which of the following theories emphasizes the relationships between the whole and the parts
and describes how parts function and behave?
a) developmental theory
b) adaptation theory
c) nursing theory
d) general systems theory d) general systems theory
General systems theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how
the parts work together in "systems". Nursing theory attempts to describe, explain, predict, and
control desired outcomes of nursing care practices. Adaptation theory defines adaptation as
, the adjustment of living matter to other living things and to environmental conditions.
Developmental theory outlines the process of growth and development of humans as orderly
and predictable.
What nursing theorist focuses on rehabilitation as a major outcome of nursing care?
a) Jean Watson
b) Martha Rogers
c) Sr. Callista Roy
d) Lydia Hall d) Lydia Hall
The central theme of Lydia's Hall nursing theory has a focus on rehabilitation. The major
outcome of nursing care under her theory focuses on rehabilitation and feelings of self-
actualization by the patient. Martha Rogers emphasized the science and art of nursing, with the
unitary human being central to the discipline of nursing. Jean Watson was concerned with
promoting and restoring health, preventing illness, and caring for the sick. Sr. Callista Roy's
theme focused on human beings as biopsychosocial beings existing within an environment.
A nurse researcher is studying perceptions of vocational rehabilitation for patients after a spinal
cord injury. What type of research method will the researcher use to study the perceptions of
this group of individuals?
a) qualitative research
b) applied research
c) quantitative research
d) basic research a) qualitative research