Chapter 4 - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice

"Theories help explain why nurses do what they do."

The nursing instructor is teaching a class on nursing theory. One of the students asks, "Why do we need to know this stuff? It doesn't really affect patients." What is the instructor's best response?

Orem's theory is useful in designing interventions to promote self-care

The nurse is caring for a patient who does not follow the prescribed regimen for diabetes management. As a prescriber to Orem's theory, the nurse interviews the patient in an attempt to identify the cause of the patients nonadherence. What is the rationale for the nurse's behavior?

Prescriptive

A nurse is testing meditation for migraine headaches and the expected outcome of care when performing this intervention. Which type of theory is the nurse using?

It tests a specific nursing intervention

The nurse researcher is evaluating whether holding pressure at an injection site after injecting the anticoagulant enoxaparin will reduce bruising at the injection site. This study involves a prescriptive theory. What is the nurse's rationale for involving a prescriptive theory?

Nursing theory can direct how a nurse uses the nursing process

A nurse is using nursing theory and the nursing process simultaneously to plan nursing care. How will the nurse use nursing theory and the nursing process in practice?

Neuman

The nurse views the patient as an open system that needs help in coping with stressors. Which theorist is the nurse using?

Output

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with essential hypertension. The health care provider prescribes blood pressure medication that the nurse administers. The nurse then monitors the patient's blood pressure for several days to help determine effectiveness. Which system component is the nurse evaluating?

Third level

A patient is admitted with possible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and is placed in isolation until cultures can be obtained and declared noninfectious. During the isolation process, the nurse encourages family visits. Which level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is the nurse promoting when the family is encouraged to visit?

Humans have an orderly, predictive process of growth and development

A nurse is caring for pediatric patients and using the developmental theory to plan nursing care. What is the focus on this nurse's care?

Physiological

Upon assessment, the nurse notices that the patient's respirations have increased, and the tip of the nose and earlobes are becoming cyanotic. The nurse finds that the patient's pulse rate is over 100 bpm. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. which patient need should the nurse address first?

Thinks about the patients and patients' environments

Which behavior demonstrated by a nurse indicates the nurse is using Nightingale's theory to plan nursing care?

Peplau's theory

The home health nurse listens to the patient's concerns about having open-heart surgery. The nurse explains the different surgical procedures and other options, like cardiac rehabilitation. After several visits, the patient wants cardiac rehabilitation. The nurse notifies the health care provider and sets up a referral. Which theory is the nurse using?

Leininger's theory

The nurse is caring for a patient who is actively bleeding. The health care provider prescribes blood transfusions. The patient's religious beliefs do not allow the use of blood products. The nurse contacts the health care provider to request alternative treatment. Which theory is the nurse using?

Henderson's theory

The patient is terminally ill and is receiving hospice care. The nurse cares for the patient by bathing, shaving, and repositioning him. The patient would like a Catholic priest called to provide the Sacrament of the Sick. The nurse places a call and arranges for the priest's visit. Which theory does this nurse's care represent?

Orem's theory

The patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and will be discharged in the next day or so. The nurse is teaching the patient how to draw up and self-administer insulin. Which nursing theory is the nurse utilizing?

Operational definition

A nurse is conducting research about the needs of depressed patients. The nurse writes the following: Depression is a patient reporting a score above 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. What did the nurse write?

Delivers nursing care using a systemic approach

Which action indicates the nurse is using the nursing process in patient care?

Reads about different concepts

A nurse is using theoretical knowledge in nursing practice to provide patient care. Which nursing behavior is an example of theoretical knowledge?

1, 4, 5, 2, 3

A nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize care. Place the levels in order of basic priority to highest priority that the nurse will follow.

1. Physiological

2. Self-esteem

3. Self-actualization

4. Safety and security

5. Loving and belonging

Person

Health

Nursing

Environment

A nurse is using a nursing metaparadigm to define nursing. Which concepts will the nurse include?

Physiological needs of the patient

Psychological needs of the patient

Sociocultural needs of the patient

Spiritual needs of the patient

A nurse wants to incorporate psychosocial theories into nursing practice. Which element will the nurse include?