Test Bank For Philosophies And Theories For Advanced
Nursing Newest Exam Preparation With Complete
Questions And Correct Answers With Rationales Already
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1. A doctoral-prepared nurse is evaluating a conceptual model to guide
a new research study on pain management in older adults with
dementia. The nurse notes that the model focuses on the mutual
interaction between the patient and the environment. This emphasis is
most consistent with which philosophical tradition?
A) Positivism
B) Post-positivism
C) Interpretivism
D) Critical theory
Answer: C) Interpretivism
Explanation: Interpretivism, as a philosophical tradition, emphasizes the
subjective meaning of human experiences and the interaction between
individuals and their environments. Positivism and post-positivism are
more focused on objective reality and cause-and-effect relationships.
Critical theory focuses on power dynamics and social change, which is
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less directly aligned with the mutual interaction described in the
question.
2. A nurse theorist is developing a new model of care for underserved
populations. She argues that health disparities are largely the result of
systemic social inequities and that nursing practice should actively
challenge these structures. This perspective is most aligned with:
A) Logical positivism
B) Critical social theory
C) Phenomenology
D) Pragmatism
Answer: B) Critical social theory
Explanation: Critical social theory, stemming from the Frankfurt School,
is concerned with critiquing and changing society as a whole, in contrast
to traditional theory that focuses solely on understanding or explaining
it. It emphasizes power structures, oppression, and emancipation. The
nurse's focus on systemic inequities and active challenge directly reflects
this framework.
3. A nurse researcher chooses to use a grounded theory approach to
study how families make decisions about end-of-life care. Which
philosophical assumption is foundational to this research design?
A) There is a single, objective reality that can be measured.
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B) Knowledge is constructed through social interaction and shared
meanings.
C) The researcher must remain detached and objective from the
participants.
D) The primary goal is to predict and control outcomes.
Answer: B) Knowledge is constructed through social interaction and
shared meanings.
Explanation: Grounded theory is rooted in symbolic interactionism,
which posits that meaning and knowledge are constructed through
social interaction. The purpose is to develop theory from the data,
which reflects the subjective and socially constructed nature of the
participants' experiences. Options A and D reflect positivist
assumptions, and option C is the opposite of the reflexive, engaged role
required in qualitative research like grounded theory.
4. In the context of nursing epistemology, which of the following best
describes "empirical knowing"?
A) The art of nursing and the expression of empathy
B) Knowledge derived from personal experience and intuition
C) The science of nursing, derived from empirical research
D) The moral and ethical components of nursing practice
Answer: C) The science of nursing, derived from empirical research
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Explanation: According to Carper's (1978) patterns of knowing,
empirical knowing is the factual, descriptive, and scientific knowledge
base of nursing, derived from research. Option A describes aesthetic
knowing, option B describes personal knowing, and option D describes
ethical knowing.
5. A nurse administrator is applying theory to improve staff retention.
The administrator uses a framework that posits that workers are
motivated by intrinsic factors such as achievement, recognition, and
the work itself, but that hygiene factors like salary and working
conditions can cause dissatisfaction if inadequate. This administrator is
utilizing:
A) Maslow's hierarchy of needs
B) Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory
C) Vroom's expectancy theory
D) Orem's self-care deficit theory
Answer: B) Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory
Explanation: Herzberg's theory distinguishes between hygiene factors
(which prevent dissatisfaction) and motivators (which promote
satisfaction). The question specifically describes intrinsic factors
(motivators) and hygiene factors, which is a direct match. Maslow's
theory is about a hierarchy of needs, Vroom's is about expectancy, and
Orem's is a grand nursing theory about self-care.