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Imogene King – Nursing Theory Summary
🎯 “Nursing is a process of human interaction where the nurse and the
client communicate, set goals, and work together to achieve them.”
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🧠 Overview of Imogene King
Who: American nursing theorist and educator
Famous for: Theory of Goal Attainment (part of her General Systems
Framework)
Developed in the 1970s
Emphasizes personal, interpersonal, and social systems in nursing care
Focus: Mutual goal-setting and interaction between nurse and patient
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🧩 Three Interacting Systems in King’s Framework
System, Definition, and Example
1. Personal: Focuses on the individual (perceptions, self, growth, body
image, time, space)
Ex. Understanding a patient's personal health beliefs
2. Interpersonal: Interaction between two or more people
(communication, role, stress)
Ex. Nurse-patient relationship and trust building
3. Social: Larger groups like family, school, or healthcare systems
Ex. Policies, family dynamics, or hospital structure
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🎯 Theory of Goal Attainment (Core of Her Work)
> Nursing is a mutual goal-setting process between nurse and client.
The nurse helps patients achieve goals through effective communication,
mutual respect, and transaction.
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🔁 Key Concepts in Goal Attainment Theory
Concept Meaning
Perception: How the nurse and patient interpret each other’s behavior
Communication: Exchange of information (verbal & non-verbal)
Interaction: Verbal and non-verbal behavior between nurse and patient
Transaction: Goal-directed interaction leading to mutual goal setting and
action
Role: Expected behaviors of nurse and client in their relationship
Stress: Responses to internal and external demands
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🏥 Nursing Process According to King
1. Assessment – Gather perceptions and information
2. Diagnosis – Interpret and make nursing judgment
3. Planning – Set mutual goals with the patient
4. Implementation – Take actions toward those goals
5. Evaluation – Did the goals get achieved?
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💡 Application in Nursing Practice
•Nurse actively involves the patient in planning care
•Focuses on patient-centered goals
•Promotes communication, trust, and cooperation
•Useful in team-based care and rehabilitation settings
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🩺 Example Clinical Application
•A diabetic patient sets a goal with the nurse to manage blood sugar via
diet and medication
•The nurse educates, supports, and collaborates on how to reach this goal
•Together, they evaluate progress regularly
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📝 NCLEX-Style Sample Questions (Quick Set)
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1. What is the central focus of Imogene King’s theory?
A. Nurse dominance in decision-making
B. Goal-setting through nurse-patient interaction
C. Cultural sensitivity in nursing
D. Environmental adaptation
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: King’s theory revolves around mutual goal setting through
interaction.
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2. Which of the following is an example of “transaction” in King’s theory?
A. Nurse silently performs care without patient input
B. Patient asks for pain relief, and nurse administers medication after
discussing options
C. Nurse writes goals based on doctor’s orders
D. Family requests discharge before patient agrees
✅ Answer: B
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3. Which system in King’s theory includes nurse-patient communication?
A. Personal
B. Interpersonal
C. Social
D. Organizational
✅ Answer: B
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4. A patient and nurse agree on a goal to improve mobility after surgery.
This represents:
A. Passive care
B. Transaction
C. Cultural alignment
D. Role stress
✅ Answer: B
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5. What is the nurse’s main role according to King’s Theory?
A. To diagnose and medicate
B. To collaborate and set goals with the patient
C. To interpret doctor’s goals
D. To make all care decisions
✅ Answer: B
Great! Here’s a new set of 20 NCLEX-style practice questions on Imogene
King’s General Systems Framework and Theory of Goal Attainment,
including the correct answers and rationales — designed to sharpen your
nursing exam readiness. 🩺📘
📝 Imogene King – NCLEX Practice Questions (Set 2)
🧠 Focus: interpersonal systems, goal setting, perception, interaction,
transaction, roles
1. According to King, a “transaction” is best defined as:
A. A decision made by the nurse
B. A verbal order from the doctor
C. A mutual goal-setting and action process between nurse and client
D. A document signed by the client
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: Transactions are purposeful interactions resulting in goal-
setting and actions.
2. A nurse and client agree to increase walking distance daily to improve
mobility. This is an example of:
A. Communication breakdown
B. Transaction
C. Conflict in roles
D. Evaluation
✅ Answer: B
3. What is the role of “perception” in King’s theory?
A. Limits communication
B. Helps build diagnoses
C. Influences how nurse and client interpret each other’s behavior
D. Is only relevant in personal systems
✅ Answer: C
4. A nurse recognizes that the client’s stress is affecting participation in
care. According to King, stress is a factor in which system?
A. Interpersonal
B. Spiritual
C. Personal
D. Environmental
✅ Answer: A
5. The nurse includes the family and social support system in discharge
planning. This reflects what system in King’s model?
A. Personal
B. Interpersonal
C. Social
D. Governmental
✅ Answer: C
6. Which of the following is NOT a key concept in King’s Theory of Goal
Attainment?
A. Communication
B. Adaptation
C. Perception
D. Role
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Adaptation is from Roy’s theory, not King’s.
7. A nurse ensures a client understands the discharge instructions by
asking them to repeat the steps. This reflects:
A. Role stress
B. Transaction
C. Communication
D. Goal conflict
✅ Answer: C
8. King’s framework views nursing as a:
A. Passive discipline
B. Disease-control mechanism
C. Dynamic, goal-oriented process
D. Technology-centered task
✅ Answer: C
9. Which situation best represents role conflict in King’s interpersonal
system?
A. Patient refuses pain meds
B. Nurse is unclear about patient expectations
C. Nurse follows policy on documentation
D. Doctor orders lab tests
✅ Answer: B
10. What should the nurse do if patient and nurse goals do not align?
A. Follow physician’s orders only
B. Ignore the patient goals
C. Reassess and re-establish mutual understanding through
communication
D. Proceed with standard care
✅ Answer: C
11. What system does self, growth and development, and space/time
orientation belong to?
A. Personal
B. Interpersonal
C. Social
D. Organizational
✅ Answer: A
12. Why is communication essential in King’s theory?
A. It replaces documentation
B. It allows independent action by the nurse
C. It facilitates mutual understanding and goal achievement
D. It helps the physician make decisions
✅ Answer: C
13. In King’s theory, “role” refers to:
A. The client’s occupation
B. Expected behaviors in nurse-client interactions
C. A type of care plan
D. Standard treatment guidelines
✅ Answer: B
14. The nurse’s assessment includes the client’s perception of their
illness. This reflects:
A. Social system use
B. Cultural insensitivity
C. King’s focus on shared understanding
D. Task orientation
✅ Answer: C
15. What best describes the social system in King’s framework?
A. Communication between nurse and client
B. The organization or structure affecting nursing practice
C. Client’s thoughts and feelings
D. Family genetics
✅ Answer: B
16. In what part of the nursing process does “goal setting” occur in King’s
theory?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
✅ Answer: B
17. King’s conceptual model helps nurses focus on:
A. Completing doctor’s orders
B. Reducing charting time
C. Developing shared goals with patients
D. Diagnosing diseases
✅ Answer: C
18. Which is an example of poor role performance in King’s theory?
A. Nurse establishes rapport
B. Nurse ignores patient concerns during teaching
C. Patient expresses their treatment goals
D. Nurse and client collaborate
✅ Answer: B
19. A patient says, “I want to manage my hypertension without meds.”
What should the nurse do first per King’s theory?
A. Teach side effects of not taking meds
B. Enforce medication compliance
C. Explore the patient’s perception and goals
D. Refer to physician immediately
✅ Answer: C
20. What is the ultimate goal of King’s theory?
A. Cure disease
B. Ensure task completion
C. Achieve mutually set health goals
D. Follow hospital policy
✅ Answer: C
Would you like:
🎯 Case-based scenario questions using King’s framework?
📊 A comparison chart with Rogers, Roy, or Orem?
📄 A complete printable reviewer PDF?
Let me know and I’ll prepare what you need next!