Berman Links Flashcards
“A supposition or system of ideas that is proposed to explain a given phenomenon” best defines which of the following?
a. ) A concept.
b. ) A conceptual framework.
c. ) A theory.
d. ) A paradigm.
c.) A theory.
A supposition or system of ideas proposed to explain a given phenomenon is a theory. Concepts are mental images that are included within a theory (option 1); a conceptual framework is a group of related ideas, statements, or concepts (option 2); and a paradigm is a pattern of shared understandings and assumptions about reality and the world (option 4).
“A group of related ideas or statements” best defines which of the following?
a. ) A philosophy.
b. ) A conceptual framework.
c. ) A theory.
d. ) A paradigm.
b.) A conceptual framework.
A group of related ideas or statements is a conceptual framework. A philosophy is a belief system (option 1); a supposition or system of ideas proposed to explain a given phenomenon is a theory (option 3); and a paradigm is a pattern of shared understandings and assumptions about reality and the world (option 4).
“A set of shared understandings and assumptions about reality and the world” is a definition for which of the following?
a. ) A concept.
b. ) A conceptual framework.
c. ) A practice discipline.
d. ) A paradigm.
d.) A paradigm.
A set of shared understandings and assumptions about reality and the world is a paradigm. A concept is a mental image (option 1); a conceptual framework is a group of related ideas, statements, or concepts (option 2); and a practice discipline is a field of study in which the central focus is performance of a professional role (option 3).
Which provides the best explanation for describing nursing as a practice discipline?
a. ) Nursing focuses on performing the professional role.
b. ) It takes time and experience to become a competent nurse.
c. ) Research and theory development is a central focus.
d. ) Nurses function as members of a team who form a practice group.
a.) Nursing focuses on performing the professional role.
Practice disciplines are fields of study in which the central focus is performance of a professional role. Time and experience are necessary for developing proficiency in any profession or career (option 2). Research and theory development do not have performance as their primary focus. The primary focus of nursing is providing quality service to humans (option 3). Team or group practice can be a part of a career in humanities, computer science, or rocket science (option 4).
Person, environment, health, and nursing constitute the metaparadigm for nursing because of which of the following?
a. ) Provide a framework for implementing the nursing process.
b. ) Can be utilized in any setting when caring for a client.
c. ) Can be utilized to determine applicability of a research study.
d. ) They focus on the needs of a group of clients.
b.) Can be utilized in any setting when caring for a client.
Person/client, environment, health, and nursing are relevant when providing care for any client whether in the hospital, at home, in the community, or in elementary school systems. These elements can be used to understand diseases, conduct and apply research, and develop nursing theories, as well as implement the nursing process.
Which is an accurate statement about the role of nursing theory?
a. ) Practice theories assist nurses to reflect on the effectiveness of what they do.
b. ) Midlevel theories, describing the interrelationships among a broad range of concepts within nursing, have been well tested through nursing research.
c. ) All schools of nursing in the United States are organized around one of the conceptual models described in this chapter.
d. ) Nursing theory guides the direction of research but not that of education or practice.
a.) Practice theories assist nurses to reflect on the effectiveness of what they do.
Practice theories assist the nurse to reflect on nursing care. Theories describing the interrelationships among a broad range of concepts within nursing are grand theories, not midlevel, and both require more testing through nursing research (option 2). Schools of nursing in the United States may or may not be organized around any theory or conceptual model (option 3). Nursing theory guides the direction of research and education and practice (option 4).
The purpose of theory in science is to
a. ) Build a rationale for programs of research.
b. ) Explain why scientists do what they do.
c. ) Help scientists interpret phenomena.
d. ) Distinguish science from art.
c.) Help scientists interpret phenomena.
The purpose of any theory is to help interpret phenomena. Programs of research should have a theoretical framework but the theory is not the reason for the research (option 1). Theory is as applicable in science as it is in art (options 3 and 4).
A client with diarrhea also has a primary care provider’s order for a bulk laxative daily. The nurse, not realizing that bulk laxatives can help solidify certain types of diarrhea, concludes, “The primary care provider does not know the client has diarrhea.” This statement is an example of
a. ) A fact.
b. ) An inference.
c. ) A judgment.
d. ) An opinion.
b.) An inference.
Nursing Process: evaluation
The nurse has inferred and concluded something that is beyond the available information (and in this case may not be accurate). The prescription and the diarrhea are facts (option 1). It would be judgment and opinion if the nurse stated that the laxative would make the diarrhea worse and should not be given (options 3 and 4). (Note: Critical thinking will cause this nurse to examine the assumptions made and gather more data before acting.)
A client reports feeling hungry, but does not eat when food is served. Using critical thinking skills, the nurse should perform which of the following?
a. ) Assess why the client is not ingesting the food provided.
b. ) Continue to leave the food at the bedside until the client is hungry enough to eat.
c. ) Notify the primary care provider that tube feeding may be indicated soon.
d. ) Believe the client is not really hungry.
a.) Assess why the client is not ingesting the food provided.
Nursing Process: planning
The nurse recognizes that many assumptions (beliefs) could interfere with the client eating—such as that the food presented is not culturally appropriate. These assumptions must be clarified. Options 2 and 3 reach conclusions not supported by the facts. In option 4, the nurse has made a judgment or has an opinion that may not be accurate. Also, the nurse is acting without assessment. Implementation should be preceded by assessment.
One nurse expresses that the manager prepared the holiday work schedule unfairly. The manager states that it is the same type of schedule used in the past and other nurses have no problems with it. Which response indicates the nurse is displaying an attitude of critical thinking?
a. ) Accepting the preferences of the other nurses since there are several of them
b. ) Recognizing that the nurse must have reached a false conclusion
c. ) Considering going to a higher authority than the manager for an explanation
d. ) Continuing to query the manager until the nurse understands the explanation
d.) Continuing to query the manager until the nurse understands the explanation
The critical thinking approach should include perseverance until a reasonable solution or answer is determined. Giving in (option 1), overquestioning self, poor trust in one’s own beliefs (option 2), or bypassing normal routes of authority (option 3) violates the desirable attitudes of integrity, intellectual courage, and confidence in reason.
The client who is short of breath benefits from the head of the bed being elevated. Because this position can result in skin breakdown in the sacral area, the nurse decides to study the amount of sacral pressure occurring in other positions. This decision is an example of
a. ) The research method.
b. ) The trial-and-error method.
c. ) Intuition.
d. ) The nursing process.
a.) The research method.
The research method uses a research study-based approach to problem solving. Trial and error (option 2) and intuition (option 3) would involve unstructured approaches resulting in less predictable results. The nursing process generally uses application of known interventions, previously determined by the scientific (research) process (option 4).
In the decision-making process, the nurse sets and weights the criteria, examines alternatives, and performs which of the following before implementing the plan?
a. ) Reexamines the purpose for making the decision
b. ) Consults the client and family members to determine their view of the criteria
c. ) Identifies and considers various means for reaching the outcomes
d. ) Determines the logical course of action should intervening problems arise
c.) Identifies and considers various means for reaching the outcomes
Nursing Process: planning
It is important to project what problems might interfere with the plan and have appropriate responses prepared to prevent the interferences. The purpose for the decision should have been clear enough at the outset as to not require reexamination at this point (option 1). Clients and families should be consulted early—in the purpose-setting and criteria-setting steps. Criteria should not be set until all significant participants have an opportunity to present their point of view (option 2). Considering various means for reaching the outcomes is the same as examining alternatives (option 3).
The nurse is concerned about a client who begins to breathe very rapidly. Which action by the nurse reflects critical thinking?
a. ) Notify the primary care provider.
b. ) Obtain vital signs and oxygen saturation.
c. ) Request a chest x-ray.
d. ) Call the rapid response team.
b.) Obtain vital signs and oxygen saturation.
Nursing Process: implementing
The nurse’s intuition is like a sixth sense that allows the nurse to recognize cues and patterns to reach correct conclusions. The nurse appropriately obtains vital signs and an oxygen saturation to assess the client’s clinical picture more fully. Option 1 supports appropriate nursing actions, but the client’s respiratory status should be assessed first. Usually, a physician must order a chest x-ray (option 2). The rapid response team (option 4) may be needed if the client’s condition becomes more critical.
The nurse is teaching a client about wound care during a follow-up visit in the client’s home. Which critical thinking attitude causes the nurse to reconsider the plan and supports evidence-based practice when the client states, “I just don’t know how I can afford these dressings”?
a. ) Integrity
b. ) Intellectual humility
c. ) Confidence
d. ) Independence
a.) Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
By reconsidering the type of dressing used based on research, the nurse is using integrity. Options 2 and 3 are critical thinking attitudes characterized by an awareness of the limits of one’s own knowledge, and being trustworthy. Option 4 indicates an attitude of not being easily swayed by the opinions of others.
When the nurse considers that a client is from a developing country and may have a positive tuberculosis test due to a prior vaccination, which critical thinking attitude and skill is the nurse practicing?
a. ) Creating environments that support critical thinking
b. ) Tolerating dissonance and ambiguity
c. ) Self-assessment
d. ) Seeking situations where good thinking is practiced
a.) Creating environments that support critical thinking
Nursing Process: assessment
Nurses must embrace exploration of the perspectives of persons from different ages, cultures, religions, socioeconomic levels, and family structures to create environments that support critical thinking. Option 2 relates to nurses who should increase their tolerance for ideas that contradict previously held beliefs. Option 3 is conducted when a nurse benefits from a rigorous personal assessment to determine which attitudes he or she already possesses and which need to be cultivated. Option 4 occurs when nurses find it valuable to attend conferences in clinical or educational settings that support open examination of all sides of issues and respect for opposing viewpoints.
