Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

Which theorist is known for the health care systems model where the person is viewed as an open system interacting with the environment?

1. Betty Neuman

2. Dorothea Orem

3. Madeleine Leininger

4. Margaret Newman

The correct answer is: Betty Neuman

The correct choice identifies Betty Neuman, who is renowned for her Health Care Systems Model. This model conceptualizes the individual as an open system that interacts dynamically with various environmental factors, including psychological, sociocultural, and physical aspects. A defining feature of Neuman's model is the emphasis on the individual's resilience and ability to adapt to stressors from the environment, which can have both positive and negative impacts on health. Her model underscores the importance of holistic nursing care by acknowledging the complexity of human beings and their interactions with their environment. The framework allows for understanding how various factors influence health outcomes and guides nurses in developing comprehensive, individualized care plans that address not only the physical but also the emotional and psychological needs of patients. The other theorists mentioned have their own significant contributions to nursing theory. Dorothea Orem is known for her Self-Care Theory, which focuses on the individual's ability to perform self-care activities to maintain health. Madeleine Leininger's work centers around transcultural nursing and the importance of cultural competence in nursing care. Margaret Newman developed the Health as Expanding Consciousness theory, which emphasizes the transformative aspects of health experiences rather than just the absence of illness. Each of these models offers valuable perspectives, yet Neuman’s open systems approach