Nursing Now - Chapter 3 (Nursing Theory, Ethics & Professional Identity)

What is a nursing theory?

A framework that explains nursing actions, guides practice, and supports professional decision-making.

Why were nursing theories originally developed?

To define nursing as a distinct profession with its own body of knowledge.

What is the primary purpose of nursing theory today?

To guide patient-centered, ethical, and evidence-based nursing care.

Nursing theory helps nurses focus on what aspect of care?

The whole person, not just the disease.

Why can nursing theory be challenging to apply in modern healthcare?

Time constraints, high patient acuity, and fast-paced environments

Even in fast-paced settings, nursing theory supports what?

Holistic care, ethical decision-making, and patient advocacy.

Using theory to guide care reflects what professional responsibility?

Accountability.

Nursing theory supports which key nursing value?

Patient-centered care.

How does nursing theory support ethical practice?

By guiding decisions that respect dignity, autonomy, and justice.

Nursing theory helps distinguish nursing from other professions by emphasizing what?

Caring, advocacy, and the nurse-patient relationship.

Applying theory in practice helps develop what?

Professional nursing identity.

A nurse considers cultural values before planning care. This reflects what?

Use of nursing theory to guide holistic care.

Which situation best reflects theory-based nursing practice?

Individualizing care based on patient needs, values, and experiences.

Why are theories and models important to the profession of nursing?

They provide a conceptual structure for understanding nursing care and practice

What key concepts are commonly found in nursing theories and models?

patient, environment, health and nursing

General systems theory is the theoretical basis for many nursing theories and models. What aspect of general systems theory is most comparable to the key concept of nursing in nursing theory?

Feedback Loop

According to Sister Callista Roy’s model, what is the best measure of a person’s health status?

the person’s ability to adapt to the stimuli imposed on them

What distinguishes a middle-range theory from a grand theory of nursing?

middle-range theories, not grand theories, form the theoretical framework for EBP research projects

What is the goal of Orem’s self-care model of nursing?

to help the patient direct and carry out activities that maintain or improve their health

One key concept of nursing theories is that of environment. What theme related to environment is present across several grand nursing theories?

Environment, both internal and external, can negatively affect a person’s heatlh

In what way is the human body a system, according general systems theory?

The human body functions as a set of interacting parts that work together to achieve an overall purpose

Which factor has had the greatest effect on the rise of middle-range nursing theories?

the rise of EBP as the gold standard for care

What is the Roy model about?

adaptation

How does Roy define the patient?

A biopsychosocial being who constantly adapts to internal and external stimuli.

How does Roy define health?

A state and process of being integrated and whole through adaptation.

How does Roy define the environment?

All internal and external stimuli affecting the person.

How does Roy define nursing?

Helping the patient adapt to changes to promote health.

How does Orem define the patient?

A person capable of performing self-care (or needing help when unable).

How does Orem define health?

The ability to maintain self-care to support life and well-being.

How does Orem define the environment?

Physical, chemical, and social conditions influencing self-care.

How does Orem define nursing?

Assisting patients when they cannot meet their self-care needs.

What is Johnson’s model?

behavioral system

How does Johnson define the patient?

A behavioral system made up of subsystems (attachment, aggression, dependency).

How does Johnson define health?

Balance and stability of behavior.

How does Johnson define the environment?

Forces that influence behavior.

How does Johnson define nursing?

Maintaining or restoring behavioral balance.

What is King’s theory?

goal attainment theory

How does King define the patient?

A personal system who interacts with others to set goals.

How does King define health?

Achievement of life goals through interaction.

How does King define the environment?

Personal, interpersonal, and social systems.

How does King define nursing?

Helping patients achieve goals through communication and mutual decision-making.

What was Watson’s theory?

human caring

How does Watson define the patient?

A valued human being deserving care, respect, and dignity.

How does Watson define health?

Harmony of mind, body, and soul.

How does Watson define the environment?

A caring, healing environment

How does Watson define nursing?

Caring relationships that promote healing and wholeness.

How does Neuman define the patient?

An open system responding to stressors.

How does Neuman define health?

Stability of the system.

How does Neuman define the environment?

Internal and external stressors.

How does Neuman define nursing?

Preventing or reducing stressors to maintain stability.