Nursing Theories Exam 1 Questions With Correct Answers

Chapter 1 - Answer What is Nursing Theory? Nursing Theories - Answer -Creative products of nurses -Describe nursing in ways that can be studied, evaluated, and used by other nurses -Attempt to explain patterns and relationships found in nursing phenomena -Stimulate formal debate, exploration, and research regarding the nature and process of nursing. -They are abstract -frequently focus on if nursing is a job, vocation, and or profession Nurse Theorists - Answer -Active or former nurses -Think deeply about nursing phenomenon and record their personal thoughts and observations -Develop theories over time -Influenced by personal and professional experiences -Develop theories as part of creative and evolutionary process -must comfortable with ambiguity Questions Posed by Nursing Theories - Answer -What do nurses do? -What makes nursing unique? -What is holistic nursing care? -Do certain nursing actions measurably improve client outcomes? -What differentiates excellent nursing care from marginal nursing care? -Is the core of nursing "caring" or technical skill mastery? -Is nursing an independent profession or auxiliary component of the medical profession? -Should nursing encompass the metaphysical or spiritual? -How should phenomenon outside the five senses be addressed in nursing? Categories of Theories - Answer 1. Philosophies 2. Grand theories 3. Middle-range theories Philosophies - Answer Definitions of nursing in general Grand theories - Answer Discussions of broad nursing practice areas Middle-range theories - Answer Assertions about specific nursing actions, processes, or concepts -Ex Specific ideas about ways to incorporate cultural awareness into nursing practice Considerations Related to Nursing Theories - Answer -A theory may fit more than one category, depending on its interpretation -No firm rule exists for how to categorize a theory -Students must be comfortable with ambiguity in study of theory Productive Learning Approaches - Answer Listening Evaluating Reading Adopting another's position to assess personal fit Formulating an informed opinion Realizing firm answers do not always apply Value of Nursing Theory - Answer -Advances the scholarship of nursing -Serves as a framework for inquiry -Enables the nursing profession to create its own body of knowledge -Helps nurses explain and guide the real practice world It may be said that some nursing theories fit into more than one? - Answer Category A Nursing theory is considered a communication? - Answer Tool Debate - Answer Nursing scholars engage in this when they have differences of opinions, such as those related to categorical determinations or differences in terms Tool - Answer Term that is often used to describe nursing theories because they aid in the process of communication. Alternative term for model or theory? - Answer Framework Productive learning - Answer This process involves listening, evaluating, reading, adopting another's position, formulating an informed opinion, and realizing that firm answers do not always apply. Phenomenon - Answer Observable facts or event, in this case related to nursing. Chapter 2 - Answer Why Are Theories Important in Nursing? Value of Nursing Theory - Answer Provide structure and order for guiding and improving: Professional practice Teaching and learning activities Research Theories Role in Professional Practice - Answer -Enrich job satisfaction -Nurse seeks and applies new ideas -Improve job performance and effectiveness -Nurse learns new ways of thinking about or approaching practice -Nurse shares ideas with colleagues and staff -Improve client satisfaction -Client experiences benefits of improved care Role of Theories in Teaching/ Learning - Answer -Guide educational practice by determining specific courses of study and the order of their presentation -Identifying the most important, central concept that all students should come away with when the course of study is completed Role of Theories in Research Activities - Answer -Provide the basis for the creation of questions that will be asked during research activities -New findings may or may not support theories, opening the door to additional study -Clarify ways in which to focus observations and data collection during research Which Theory Is Correct? - Answer -Because nursing encompasses a variety of activities, there are a variety of theories -No single theory, or group of theories, is more correct than another -Precise and unwavering conclusions are often impossible -Individual nurses must decide if a theory makes sense to them Individual Nurse's Responsibility - Answer -Evaluate and compare a theory with personal values and belief systems and personal professional practice -Decide whether a theory adds value to education, practice, and research -Realize that both nurses and nursing theories are dynamic, shifting, growing entities -A theory may gain or lose usefulness to a nurse as time passes Respect Diversity - Answer -Nursing theories are creative products of courageous visionaries -Each model or theory is a representation of creativity and diversity within nursing ranks -Creating theories requires intellect, introspection, and a great amount of work -Unique (and equally valid) visions make up the totality of nursing How does theory development support the independence of the nursing profession? - Answer -creates forums where nurses have opportunities to develop and support unique professional visions -theories specific to nursing help differentiate nursing from other care related professions Chapter 3 - Answer The Development of Nursing Theories Early Nurse Theorists - Answer -Created nursing theories as process of improving client care -Recognized as risk takers with lifelong commitments to the nursing profession -Viewed nursing as a career, not an alternative to marriage -Made professional choices that affected their personal lives