NCM 100: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on nursing theory, metaparadigms, philosophy, definitions, and the purpose and types of theories.

Metaparadigm (Nursing)

The overarching framework of nursing consisting of four major concepts that relate to all nursing theories and practice.

Person

Recipient of nursing care (individuals, families, groups, communities) whose health is affected by nursing actions.

Health

Holistic state of well-being that nursing aims to promote.

Environment

Internal and external conditions affecting the person; emphasized by Nightingale (ventilation, warmth, cleanliness, etc.).

Nursing (paradigm concept)

Interventions by the nurse in support of or in cooperation with the client, often by manipulating the environment to promote health.

Philosophy in nursing

Knowledge level after the metaparadigm; defines metaparadigm concepts within conceptual models and clarifies phenomena through analysis and reasoning.

Concept (nursing)

A mental idea of a phenomenon; building block of theories; can come from empirical data or abstraction.

Abstract concept

An intangible, indirectly observed concept (e.g., love, care, freedom) not tied to a specific time or place.

Concrete concept

A directly observed, tangible concept (e.g., nurse, mother, pain).

Conceptual definition

Meaning of a concept as understood within a theory or literature.

Operational definition

Meaning of a concept based on how it is measured or observed in practice.

Proposition

A statement of a relationship between concepts.

Assumption

A statement that specifies the relationship between concepts or phenomena.

Definition (conceptual vs operational)

Describes the general meaning of a concept (conceptual) or how it will be measured or observed (operational).

Theory

An organized set of related statements describing or explaining phenomena; includes concepts, propositions, assumptions, and definitions; guides practice.

Concepts, Propositions, Assumptions, Definitions

The core components of a theory that express relationships, beliefs, and meanings about phenomena.

Descriptive theory (Factor-Isolating)

A theory that identifies properties and concepts ofphenomena without explaining how they relate.

Explanatory theory (Factor-Relating)

A theory that examines how properties relate and explains the relationships between concepts.

Predictive theory (Situation-Relating)

A theory that describes how relationships predict future outcomes and are tested empirically.

Prescriptive theory (Situation-Producing)

A theory that identifies conditions under which relationships occur and guides nursing interventions.

Grand theory

Broad, overarching theories (e.g., Roy’s Adaptation Model) that are true or testable at a high level.

Middle-range theory

Less abstract theories with specifics to practice, identifying population, conditions, setting, and nursing actions.

Phenomenon

Subject matter of a discipline; empirical data or experiences that can be observed or perceived.

Examples of nursing phenomena

Disease processes (e.g., stomach ulcer), clinical settings (health centers), client behaviors (guarding at pain site), interventions (care of the client in pain).

Lydia Hall’s framework

An example of a theoretical framework focusing on the nurse, the patient, and the environment (prac­tice-oriented structure).

Roy’s Adaptation Model

Grand theory viewing the person as an adaptive system that responds to environmental stimuli.

Nightingale’s environmental focus

Emphasized manipulating environmental factors (ventilation, warmth, cleanliness) to promote health.

Dorothy Johnson / Imogene King / Sister Callista Roy

Foundational theorists whose focus areas illustrate diverse nursing paradigms (behavior, interaction, adaptation).

Meleis (1991) nursing theory definition

An articulated and communicated conceptualization of nursing reality used to describe, explain, predict, or prescribe nursing care.

Purposes of nursing theory in education

To develop and guide nursing education, shape curricula, and ensure quality nursing delivery.

Purposes of nursing theory in research

To offer a framework for generating knowledge, identifying gaps, and guiding questions.

Purposes of nursing theory in practice

To describe, explain, and predict everyday experiences; guide assessment, intervention, evaluation; provide data rationale and quality criteria.

Interdependence of Theory and Research

Theory guides practice; research tests or elaborates theory, generating new knowledge.

Induction

Reasoning from specific observations to general statements or theories.

Deduction

Reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions or hypotheses.

Retroduction

A reasoning approach that blends induction and deduction, often using analogy to devise theories.

Hypothesis

A testable relationship statement used to guide research.

Science

Systematic process of observation, description, experimentation, and explanation of natural phenomena; combines research and theory.

Knowledge

Understanding acquired through learning or investigation; includes theoretical and practical knowledge.

Traditional knowledge

Nursing practices passed down through generations, often not supported by research evidence.

Authoritative knowledge

Knowledge regarded as true due to the expertise or status of a person of authority.

Scientific knowledge

Knowledge gained through systematic research and validated by evidence.

Nursing knowledge (theory vs practice)

Nursing knowledge comprises both theoretical (conceptual) and practical (art) aspects.

Definition of nursing (various sources)

A dynamic discipline of caring that aims to promote health, prevent illness, relieve suffering, and assist clients in facing illness and death with dignity.