PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCE, AND NURSING

Question 1

CONCEPTS

Answer 1

ideas and mental
images that help to describe
phenomena

Question 2

DEFINITIONS

Answer 2

convey the
general meaning of the
concepts

Question 3

ASSUMPTIONS

Answer 3

statements that

describe concepts

Question 4

PHENOMENON

Answer 4

aspect of
reality that can be consciously
sensed or experienced

Question 5

PARADIGM

Answer 5

A model that explains 
the linkages of 
science, philosophy, 
and theory accepted 
and applied by the 
discipline

Question 6

DOMAIN

Answer 6

view or
perspective of the
discipline

Question 7

WHAT DOES THE DOMAIN CONSIST OF?

Answer 7

The view or 
perspective of the 
discipline
• It contains the 
subject, central 
concepts, values and 
beliefs, phenomena of 
interest, and the 
central problems of 
the discipline

Question 8

HOW DOES DOMAIN RELATE TO NURSING THEORY

Answer 8

includes four

linkages:
1) person/client
2) health
3) environment
4) nursing

Question 9

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF NURSING THEORY?

Answer 9

It guides nursing
practice and
generates knowledge

• It helps to describe or
explain nursing

• Enables nurses to
know WHY they are
doing WHAT they are
doin

Question 10

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF NURSING THEORIES?

Answer 10

Grand theories – broad
and complex

• Middle-range theoriesaddress specific
phenomena and reflect
practice

• Descriptive theories –
first level of theory
development

• Prescriptive theories –
address nursing
interventions and predict
their consequence

Question 11

WHY STUDY NURSING THEORY?

Answer 11

Everyday practice enriches
theory

• Both practice and theory are
guided by values and beliefs

• Theory helps to reframe our
thinking about nursing

• Theory guides use of ideas
and techniques

• Theory can close the gap
between theory and research

• To envision potentialities

Question 12

HOW DO STUDENT NURSES BEGIN TO USE NURSING THEORY?

Answer 12

What is the nature of
knowledge needed for the
practice of nursing?

• What does it mean to me
to practice nursing

Question 13

COMMONLY USED NON-NURSING THEORIES

Answer 13

Systems theory

• Basic Human Needs
theory

• Health and Wellness
Models

• Stress and Adaptation

• Developmental
Theories

• Psychosocial
Theories

Question 14

AREAS THAT DEFINE NURSING AS A DISTINCT DISCIPLINE

Answer 14

• an identifiable philosophy
• at least one conceptual framework (perspective) for delineation of what can be defined as nursing
• acceptable methodologic approaches for the pursuit and development of knowledge

Question 15

WHAT ARE TASKS OF A DISCIPLINE’S SCIENCE?

Answer 15

Solving problems and answering questions related to the discipline

Question 16

THE PHILOSPHY OF A DISCIPLINE

Answer 16

-Studies the concepts that structure the thought processes of that discipline
with the intent of recognizing and revealing foundations and presuppositions

Question 17

THREE PHILOSOPHIES OF SCIENCE

Answer 17

Rationalism

Empiricism

Human Science/Phenomenology