NU 518 Exam 2: Nursing Theory Study Guide 2026/2027 USA
1. According to Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort, which of the following is defined
as the state of having a specific need met?
A. Ease
B. Satisfaction
C. Transcendence
D. Relief
Answer: D
Rationale: Relief is the state of a patient who has had a specific need met. Ease is a state of
calm or contentment. Transcendence is the state in which one rises above problems or
pain.
2. In Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory, which component of the stimuli
frame refers to the consistency of the symptom pattern?
A. Event familiarity
B. Event congruency
C. Cognitive schema
D. Symptom pattern
Answer: D
Rationale: Symptom pattern is the degree to which symptoms occur with sufficient
consistency to be perceived as having a pattern or configuration.
,3. Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence is primarily categorized as a:
A. Middle-range theory
B. Grand nursing theory
C. Practice-level theory
D. Metaparadigm
Answer: A
Rationale: Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence is a middle-range theory derived from the
developmental perspective of aging and lifespan.
4. Which process in Swanson’s Theory of Caring involves ‘striving to understand
an event as it has meaning in the life of the other’?
A. Knowing
B. Doing for
C. Being with
D. Maintaining belief
Answer: A
Rationale: Knowing is striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the
other, avoiding assumptions and centering on the person cared for.
5. Eakes, Burke, and Hainsworth’s Theory of Chronic Sorrow defines the
condition as:
A. A pervasive, permanent, periodic, and potentially progressive grief
B. Pathological grief that requires psychiatric intervention
C. A brief period of intense mourning
D. A temporary reaction to a single loss event
Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic sorrow is characterized as pervasive, permanent, periodic, and
potentially progressive, often triggered by disparity between reality and the ‘ideal’ status.
, 6. In the Health Promotion Model (HPM) by Nola Pender, which is the most
powerful predictor of health-promoting behavior?
A. Perceived barriers to action
B. Interpersonal influences
C. Situational influences
D. Perceived self-efficacy
Answer: D
Rationale: Perceived self-efficacy is a core construct and a strong predictor of the
commitment to a plan of action and actual health-promoting behavior.
7. The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al.) identifies three categories
of factors that influence symptoms. These are:
A. Biological, psychological, and social
B. Acute, chronic, and intermittent
C. Physiological, psychological, and situational
D. Physical, emotional, and spiritual
Answer: C
Rationale: The theory posits that symptoms are influenced by three categories of factors:
physiological, psychological, and situational.
8. Which stage of Benner’s ‘Novice to Expert’ model describes a nurse who has
been on the job in the same or similar situations for 2 to 3 years?
A. Advanced Beginner
B. Competent
C. Proficient
D. Expert
Answer: B
Rationale: The competent nurse has been on the job for 2-3 years, begins to see actions in
terms of long-range goals or plans, and is conscious of deliberate planning.
1. According to Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort, which of the following is defined
as the state of having a specific need met?
A. Ease
B. Satisfaction
C. Transcendence
D. Relief
Answer: D
Rationale: Relief is the state of a patient who has had a specific need met. Ease is a state of
calm or contentment. Transcendence is the state in which one rises above problems or
pain.
2. In Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Theory, which component of the stimuli
frame refers to the consistency of the symptom pattern?
A. Event familiarity
B. Event congruency
C. Cognitive schema
D. Symptom pattern
Answer: D
Rationale: Symptom pattern is the degree to which symptoms occur with sufficient
consistency to be perceived as having a pattern or configuration.
,3. Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence is primarily categorized as a:
A. Middle-range theory
B. Grand nursing theory
C. Practice-level theory
D. Metaparadigm
Answer: A
Rationale: Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence is a middle-range theory derived from the
developmental perspective of aging and lifespan.
4. Which process in Swanson’s Theory of Caring involves ‘striving to understand
an event as it has meaning in the life of the other’?
A. Knowing
B. Doing for
C. Being with
D. Maintaining belief
Answer: A
Rationale: Knowing is striving to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the
other, avoiding assumptions and centering on the person cared for.
5. Eakes, Burke, and Hainsworth’s Theory of Chronic Sorrow defines the
condition as:
A. A pervasive, permanent, periodic, and potentially progressive grief
B. Pathological grief that requires psychiatric intervention
C. A brief period of intense mourning
D. A temporary reaction to a single loss event
Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic sorrow is characterized as pervasive, permanent, periodic, and
potentially progressive, often triggered by disparity between reality and the ‘ideal’ status.
, 6. In the Health Promotion Model (HPM) by Nola Pender, which is the most
powerful predictor of health-promoting behavior?
A. Perceived barriers to action
B. Interpersonal influences
C. Situational influences
D. Perceived self-efficacy
Answer: D
Rationale: Perceived self-efficacy is a core construct and a strong predictor of the
commitment to a plan of action and actual health-promoting behavior.
7. The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al.) identifies three categories
of factors that influence symptoms. These are:
A. Biological, psychological, and social
B. Acute, chronic, and intermittent
C. Physiological, psychological, and situational
D. Physical, emotional, and spiritual
Answer: C
Rationale: The theory posits that symptoms are influenced by three categories of factors:
physiological, psychological, and situational.
8. Which stage of Benner’s ‘Novice to Expert’ model describes a nurse who has
been on the job in the same or similar situations for 2 to 3 years?
A. Advanced Beginner
B. Competent
C. Proficient
D. Expert
Answer: B
Rationale: The competent nurse has been on the job for 2-3 years, begins to see actions in
terms of long-range goals or plans, and is conscious of deliberate planning.
