True or False: By goal orientation, theories can be classified as prescriptive or descriptive.

Goal orientation in theoretical frameworks is essential for understanding nursing theories, and classifying them as prescriptive or descriptive reflects their intended outcomes and applications.

Prescriptive theories are designed to guide practice by providing clear recommendations and strategies for interventions, effectively outlining how a nurse should act in certain situations to achieve specific outcomes. These theories are proactive in nature, aiming to influence practice and promote optimal health outcomes.

Descriptive theories, on the other hand, focus on explaining and describing phenomena within nursing without necessarily providing directives for action. They help in understanding and interpreting experiences and patient behaviors but do not inherently aim to dictate how to achieve certain goals.

Thus, classifying theories based on their goals helps delineate their functions in nursing practice, making the assertion that theories can be categorized as prescriptive or descriptive true. This classification plays a critical role in informing nurses about which theoretical frameworks might best support their practice.