Chapter 2. Critical Thinking & the Nursing Process

            Which characteristic do the various definitions of critical thinking have in common?

• Requires reasoned thought

• Asks the questions “why?” or “how?”

• Is a hierarchical process

• Demands specialized thinking skills

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

A few nurses on a unit have proposed to the nurse manager that the process for documenting care on the unit be changed. They have described a completely new system. The nurse should have a critical attitude because it helps the manager to do which item?

• Consider all the possible advantages and disadvantages.

• Maintain an open mind about the proposed change

• Apply the nursing process to the situation.

• Make a decision based on past experience with documentation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

The nurse has just been assigned to the clinical care of a newly admitted patient. To know how to best care for the patient, the nurse uses the nursing process. Which step would the nurse probably do first?

• Assessment

• Diagnosis

• Plan outcomes

• Plan interventions

Which is an example of theoretical knowledge?

• A nurse uses sterile technique to catheterize a patient.

• Room air has an oxygen concentration of 21%.

• Glucose monitoring machines should be calibrated daily.

• An irregular apical heart rate should be compared with the radial pulse

Which is an example of practical knowledge?

• The tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and ventricle of the heart.

• The pancreas does not produce enough insulin in type 1 diabetes.

• When assessing the abdomen, you should auscultate before palpating

• Research shows pain medication given intravenously acts faster than by other routes.

Which is an example of self-knowledge if thought or stated by the nurse?

•  

  1)

  “I know that I should take the client’s apical pulse for 1 minute before giving digoxin.”

• “I know that I should follow the client’s wishes even though it is not what I would want.”

• “I know that I have religious beliefs that may make it difficult to take care of some clients.”

• I know that I need to honor the client’s request not to discuss his health concern with the family

Which is the most important reason for nurses to be critical thinkers?

• Nurses need to follow policies and procedures

• Nurses work with other healthcare team members.

• Nurses care for clients who have multiple health problems.

• Nurses have to be flexible and work variable schedules.

The nurse administering pain medication every 4 hours is an example of which aspect of patient care?

• Assessment data

• Nursing diagnosis

• Patient outcome

• Nursing intervention

Which differentiates a nursing diagnosis from a medical diagnosis?

• Terminology for the client’s disease or injury

• A part of the client’s medical diagnosis

• The client’s presenting signs and symptoms

• A client’s response to a health problem

Which statement about the nursing process is correct?

• It was developed from the ANA Standards of Care.

• It is a problem-solving method to guide nursing activities.

• It is a linear process with separate, distinct steps

• It involves care that only the nurse will give.