NURSING THEORIES AND
NURSING PRACTICE
6TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)MARLAINE SMITH
TEST BANK
1) Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline of
Nursing
A medical-surgical nurse is asked why the unit should continue
using a nursing theory–based assessment tool when the team
already documents diagnoses and medications. The nurse
explains that the tool helps identify patient responses, not just
medical problems, and supports individualized nursing care.
Question: Which statement best reflects the purpose of nursing
theory in this situation?
,A. It replaces clinical judgment with standardized
documentation.
B. It explains only the historical development of nursing.
C. It is used mainly to classify diseases and treatments.
D. It helps nurses explain, organize, and predict nursing
phenomena.
Correct Answer: D
Rationales
Correct Answer: Nursing theory gives nurses a way to organize
observations, explain patient responses, and guide action. In
this scenario, it helps the nurse focus on nursing phenomena
rather than only medical tasks.
A: Theory does not replace clinical judgment; it strengthens it.
B: Theory is not limited to history; it has direct practice value.
C: Disease classification is a medical function, not the main
purpose of nursing theory.
Teaching Point: Theory helps nurses think, not just document.
Citation: Smith, M. C. (2025). Nursing theories and nursing
practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
2) Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline of
Nursing
,A new graduate says, “Nursing is basically the same as
medicine, just with different tasks.” The preceptor responds by
discussing how nursing focuses on the person’s response to
illness and the conditions that influence health.
Question: Which response best reflects nursing as a distinct
discipline?
A. Nursing is defined primarily by physician-prescribed
interventions.
B. Nursing focuses on human responses, health, and
environment.
C. Nursing is separate from theory because it is task based.
D. Nursing theory is useful only in graduate education.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales
Correct Answer: Nursing is a unique discipline with its own
body of knowledge. Its focus includes the person, health, and
environment, which helps nurses address patient responses in
a holistic way.
A: Physician orders matter, but they do not define nursing’s
discipline.
C: Nursing is not merely task-based; theory gives meaning and
direction to care.
D: Theory is relevant in undergraduate practice, education, and
clinical decision-making.
, Teaching Point: Nursing is distinct because it centers human
responses to health situations.
Citation: Smith, M. C. (2025). Nursing theories and nursing
practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
3) Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline of
Nursing
A home health nurse visits an older adult with heart failure who
lives alone and has difficulty following the fluid restriction. The
nurse considers the patient’s abilities, home conditions, and
support system before planning care.
Question: Which nursing metaparadigm concept is most clearly
reflected in this assessment?
A. Nursing only
B. Health only
C. Person in interaction with environment
D. Disease process
Correct Answer: C
Rationales
Correct Answer: The nurse is assessing the person in context,
including home environment and support. That reflects the
metaparadigm view that person and environment interact and
shape health.
NURSING PRACTICE
6TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)MARLAINE SMITH
TEST BANK
1) Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline of
Nursing
A medical-surgical nurse is asked why the unit should continue
using a nursing theory–based assessment tool when the team
already documents diagnoses and medications. The nurse
explains that the tool helps identify patient responses, not just
medical problems, and supports individualized nursing care.
Question: Which statement best reflects the purpose of nursing
theory in this situation?
,A. It replaces clinical judgment with standardized
documentation.
B. It explains only the historical development of nursing.
C. It is used mainly to classify diseases and treatments.
D. It helps nurses explain, organize, and predict nursing
phenomena.
Correct Answer: D
Rationales
Correct Answer: Nursing theory gives nurses a way to organize
observations, explain patient responses, and guide action. In
this scenario, it helps the nurse focus on nursing phenomena
rather than only medical tasks.
A: Theory does not replace clinical judgment; it strengthens it.
B: Theory is not limited to history; it has direct practice value.
C: Disease classification is a medical function, not the main
purpose of nursing theory.
Teaching Point: Theory helps nurses think, not just document.
Citation: Smith, M. C. (2025). Nursing theories and nursing
practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
2) Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline of
Nursing
,A new graduate says, “Nursing is basically the same as
medicine, just with different tasks.” The preceptor responds by
discussing how nursing focuses on the person’s response to
illness and the conditions that influence health.
Question: Which response best reflects nursing as a distinct
discipline?
A. Nursing is defined primarily by physician-prescribed
interventions.
B. Nursing focuses on human responses, health, and
environment.
C. Nursing is separate from theory because it is task based.
D. Nursing theory is useful only in graduate education.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales
Correct Answer: Nursing is a unique discipline with its own
body of knowledge. Its focus includes the person, health, and
environment, which helps nurses address patient responses in
a holistic way.
A: Physician orders matter, but they do not define nursing’s
discipline.
C: Nursing is not merely task-based; theory gives meaning and
direction to care.
D: Theory is relevant in undergraduate practice, education, and
clinical decision-making.
, Teaching Point: Nursing is distinct because it centers human
responses to health situations.
Citation: Smith, M. C. (2025). Nursing theories and nursing
practice (6th ed.), Chapter 1.
3) Reference: Chapter 1 — Nursing Theory and the Discipline of
Nursing
A home health nurse visits an older adult with heart failure who
lives alone and has difficulty following the fluid restriction. The
nurse considers the patient’s abilities, home conditions, and
support system before planning care.
Question: Which nursing metaparadigm concept is most clearly
reflected in this assessment?
A. Nursing only
B. Health only
C. Person in interaction with environment
D. Disease process
Correct Answer: C
Rationales
Correct Answer: The nurse is assessing the person in context,
including home environment and support. That reflects the
metaparadigm view that person and environment interact and
shape health.
