NSG 211 Ch. 8 Application Exercises

A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hour postoperative following an inguinal hernia repair. The client is tolerating clear liquids well, has active bowel sounds, and is expressing a desire for "real food". The nurse tells the client, "I will call the surgeon and ask for a change in diet." The surgeon hears the nurse's report and prescribes a full liquid diet. The nurse used which of the following levels of critical thinking?

Basic Because at the this level, thinking is concrete and based on a set of rules (obtaining the prescription for diet progression)

A nurse uses a head- to- toe approach to conduct a physical assessment of a client who will undergo surgery the following week. Which of the following critical thinking attitudes did the nurse demonstrate?

Discipline Because this includes using a systematic approach to thinking. Using a head-to- toe approach ensures the nurse is thorough and calculated in getting information about the client's physical status

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for antihypertensive medication. Prior to administering the medication, the nurse uses an electronic database to gather information about the medication and the effects it might have on this client. Which of the following components of critical thinking is the nurse using when he reviews the medication information?

Knowledge Because by using the electronic database, the nurse takes the initiative to increase their knowledge base, which is the first component of critical thinking

A nurse receives a prescription for an antibiotic for a client who has cellulitis. The nurse checks the client's medical record, discovers that the client is allergic to the antibiotic, and calls the provider to request a prescription for a different antibiotic. Which of the following critical attitudes did the nurse demonstrate?

Responsibility Because the nurse is responsible for administering medications in a safe manner and according to standards of practice. Checking the medical record for allergies helps ensure safety.

A newly licensed nurse is considering strategies to improve critical thinking. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)

Use a journal to write about the outcomes of clinical judgements Review articles about evidence- based practice Make quick decisions when unsure about a client's needs Because journaling about decision- making can assist the nurse with self- refections and improve critical thinking Improving knowledge by learning new information about evidence- based practice improves the nurse's ability to think critically Quick decision- making can lead to errors. A nurse's intuition might cause feelings of uncertainty, which should lead the nurse to ask questions about whether the plan of care makes sense and to gather more information