Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is cited as an example within which nursing theory?

• A. Developmental Theory
• B. Systems Theory
• C. Quality Improvement
• D. Informatics

Answer: (A)

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is used with Developmental Theory because it frames human growth as a progression through needs from basic to higher levels as a person develops. In nursing, this means planning care by first addressing physiological and safety needs, then social connectedness and self-esteem, and finally potential for self-actualization, aligning interventions with where the individual is in their development. Systems Theory would focus on how parts of a system interact, Quality Improvement on refining care processes, and Informatics on data management, none of which center on the staged progression of human development that Maslow’s hierarchy exemplifies.