Final answer:
Nursing theory and research are closely related; theory informs research while research validates, refines, and sometimes leads to new theories, thereby mutually advancing the nursing knowledge base.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nursing theory and nursing research are deeply interconnected. Nursing theory provides the framework for nursing practice and research; it guides the generation of new knowledge through research.
Nursing research, in turn, can validate and refine existing theory or lead to the development of new theories, thus contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession. Nursing research relies on theories to formulate hypotheses that are testable and can be used in experiments or observational studies to enhance understanding of health-related phenomena.
Furthermore, nursing theory can be influenced by the results of nursing research. Repeated testing of hypotheses derived from nursing theories serves not only to confirm or refute the underlying theory but also to expand upon it, leading to deeper understanding and refined practices.
Therefore, option d, "Both advance the knowledge base of nursing", is the correct relationship between nursing theory and nursing research. Both elements are dynamic and inform each other in a continuous cycle of knowledge improvement and application.