Foundations Theory Exam 1 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice

What is a phenomenon in nursing theory?

A: An observable event or experience described by a theory

What are concepts in nursing theory?

A: Ideas that define and describe phenomena

What are definitions in nursing theory?

A: Statements that clarify the meaning of concepts (theoretical or operational)

What are assumptions in nursing theory?

A: Statements accepted as true without testing

What is nursing theory?

A: A framework that describes, explains, predicts, or prescribes nursing care

What is metatheory?

A: “Theory about theories” that examines relationships among components of nursing knowledge

Why is nursing theory important?

A: It defines concepts, explains relationships, predicts outcomes, and guides nursing practice

How does theory support evidence-based practice?

A: Theory generates nursing knowledge for use in practice, supporting EBP

Types of theories

Grand: Abstract, broad in scope, complex • Middle-range: Limited in scope and less abstract • Practice: Narrow in scope and focus

What are shared theories?

A: Theories that explain a phenomenon specific to the discipline that developed them

What theory are many nursing theories based on?

A: Systems theory

How is the nursing process considered a system?

A: It includes input, output, feedback, and content

What is input in the nursing process system?

A: Patient data and information gathered during assessment

What is output in the nursing process system?

A: Nursing actions and patient outcomes

What is feedback in the nursing process system?

A: Evaluation data used to revise the plan of care

What is content in the nursing process system?

A: Nursing knowledge, skills, and interventions used in care

What is the focus of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory?

A: The patient’s self-care needs and ability to perform self-care

What type of theory is Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory?

A: Grand theory

What is the focus of Nightingale’s Environmental Theory?

A: The environment as the focus of nursing care

What type of theory is Nightingale’s Environmental Theory?

A: Grand theory

What is the purpose of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model?

A: To explain how nurses think and make clinical judgments

Who developed the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model?

A: National Council of State Boards of Nursing

How is the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model used by students?

A: To learn how to think like a nurse and make safe clinical decisions

Nursing knowledge is

theoretical and experiential

Theoretical knowledge:

goals are to stimulate thinking and create a broad understanding of nursing science and practice

Experiential knowledge:

based on nurses’ experiences in providing care to patient

Steps for EBP / Scientific Method

1. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry 2. Ask a clinical question in PICOT format 3. Search for the best evidence 4. Critically appraise the evidence 5. Integrate the evidence 6. Evaluate the outcomes of practice decisions or changes 7. Communicate the outcomes of the evidence-based practice decision

PICOT Question

P- Patient/Population/Problem

I-Intervention

C-Comparison

O-Outcome

T-Time

Benner middle range theory

Nurses progress through 5 stages of skill acquisition

• Novice • Advanced beginner • Competent • Proficient • Expert

Elements of a Research Article

Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review, Manuscript Narrative

Manuscript Narrative Section (scientific method)

1. purpose statement

2. method or design

3. analysis

4. results or conclusion

5. clinical implications

Quantitative research •

Experimental research • Nonexperimental research • Surveys • Data Analysis • Physiological Measurements

Qualitative research

• Inductive reasoning • Focus Groups • Interviews • Ethnography • Phenomenology • Grounded Theor

Performance improvement programs

focus on processes or systems that significantly contribute to outcomes

EBP:

Use of information from research and other sources to determine safe and effective nursing care to improve patient care and outcomes

Research:

Systematic inquiry answers questions, solves problems, and contributes to the generalizable knowledge base of nursing; may or may not improve patient care

PI

: Improves local work processes to improve patient outcomes and health system efficiency; results usually not generalizable

How does everything work together?

Nursing theories guide the understanding of patients and care.

• Research tests ideas, generates knowledge, and improves practice

. • Evidence-based practice translates theory and research into clinical decisions

• Why does it matters? • Supports safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. • Strengthens critical thinking and clinical judgment. • Promotes continual improvement in nursing practice. • Integrate theory, research, and evidence in every aspect of care.