Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Patricia Benner’s explanation of how personal interpretations affect responses is aligned with which approach?

1. A. Behavioral approach

2. B. Cognitive approach

3. C. Phenomenological approach

4. D. Psychoanalytical approach

The correct answer is: C. Phenomenological approach

Patricia Benner's work is closely associated with the phenomenological approach because she focuses on the lived experiences of individuals and how these experiences shape their understanding and responses in nursing practice. The phenomenological approach emphasizes understanding the individual's perspective and the subjective interpretation of experiences. Benner asserts that personal interpretations influence how nurses perceive situations, interact with patients, and make clinical decisions. Through her model, especially in the context of skill acquisition in nursing, Benner highlights that nurses bring their background, emotions, and experiences into their practice. This aligns with phenomenology, which seeks to grasp the essence of experiences as they are perceived by individuals rather than through an objective lens. The emphasis on the holistic view of patient care and the importance of context in nursing practice reflects the core of the phenomenological approach, marking it as the most fitting alignment with Benner's framework.