What is a common thread in the majority of definitions of a nursing theory?

A
Theories are words or concepts that are joined together to form a themeto describe, explain, and predict nursing care. Many theorists have various definitions regarding what a theory is, but they generally contain similar words and directions. A theory is not a list of concepts or ideas. A theory is not a composite of opinions or recommendations. Theories encompass more than just an advanced role description.

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C
The overall theme and main ideas of nursing theory are nursing, person, health/illness, and envi-ronment. When looking at a nursing theory, the nurse looks at how the theorist defines these four metaparadigms. Society is not one of the metaparadigms. Health and illness are not separated but discussed as one metaparadigm. Wellness is part of health/illness metaparadigm.

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B
Dorothea Orem's theory includes the overall theme of self-care. Nursing consists of actions to overcome or prevent self-care limitations or to provide this care for those who are unable to care for themselves. Performing care for the patient or assuming responsibility for the patient's health care management does not put Orem's theory into practice. Knowing medication dosages and the times they are due is a good start for the patient; the next step would be to administer the medi-cations to themself.

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D
Florence Nightingale is considered the first nursing theorist. Nightingale's theory is that the en-vironment influences the person's health. Peplau, Rogers, and Leininger published theories after Nightingale.