The present research focuses on the analysis model of three theories: Meleis Theory, Goal Achievement Theory (King, 1981) and on a study by Silveira. Its objective is to analyze the usefulness and social significance of King's Theory. After a comprehensive reading of the theories mentioned, the excerpt "Theory Criticism" was selected from Melei's model to serve as the analytical support. The study "To be naked in the intensive therapy unit: perceptions and an encounter" (Silveira, 1996), which has as its theoretical framework the theories mentioned above, was chosen. Through critical analysis, and based on the interaction of those constructs, we concluded that: King's Theory is useful in research because it propitiates perception and interpretation of objective-subjective data from concrete reality. Its social significance is related to the application of the theory by representatives of several social segments. It encourages re-socialization of people and groups aiming at a more humane and solidary world.
nursing; nursing theories; descriptive and exploratory analysis