Which category of nursing theories emphasizes expected changes in nursing interventions?

Prescriptive theories are designed to guide nursing actions with a focus on the anticipated outcomes of those interventions. They provide a framework for the development of nursing interventions that are aimed at achieving specific patient outcomes. This category of theory not only identifies the interventions that nurses should implement but also outlines the expected changes or results that should occur as a result of those interventions.

For example, prescriptive theories may detail how a particular nursing intervention can lead to improvements in patient health metrics such as pain relief, wound healing, or enhanced mobility. This forward-looking approach is essential in clinical practice, as it helps nurses design care plans that are proactive rather than reactive.

The other categories of nursing theories serve different purposes. Practice-level theories tend to focus on specific situations or patient populations without necessarily outlining expected changes in detail. Grand nursing theories provide overarching conceptual frameworks for nursing as a whole but may not specify interventions or expected outcomes. Explanatory theories are more about understanding the relationships among variables, without the explicit emphasis on prescribed interventions or outcomes that define prescriptive theories.