Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

Which nursing theorist is focused on helping patients adapt to their environment?

1. Florence Nightingale

2. Myra E. Levine

3. Martha Rogers

4. Dorothea Orem

The correct answer is: Myra E. Levine

The correct answer is Myra E. Levine, who is notably recognized for her focus on adaptation in the context of nursing. Her work emphasizes the importance of helping patients adapt to their environment, which is central to her conservation model of nursing. This approach encourages the understanding of how various factors—such as physical, social, and psychological dimensions—can influence a patient's ability to adapt. Levine's model promotes the idea that nursing should facilitate the conservation of a patient's resources, allowing them to function optimally within their environment. Florence Nightingale contributes significantly to nursing by establishing the importance of sanitation and holistic care, but her focus is not primarily on adaptation processes. Martha Rogers presents a unique view with her theory of the science of unitary human beings, emphasizing energy fields and the interconnectedness of humans and their environment, rather than adaptation per se. Dorothea Orem is known for her self-care theory, which highlights the individual’s capacity for self-care but does not center specifically on the adaptation process within the environmental context. Thus, Levine's emphasis on adaptation distinctly aligns her with the understanding of how nursing care can help patients adjust to their environments.