Critical thinking in Nursing AQ

The nurse understands that interpretation is an important skill in critical thinking. In which activities can the nurse implement interpretation skills? Select all that apply. 1.Being orderly in data collection 2. Looking for patterns to categorize data 3. Making assumptions 4.Being open-minded about information 5. Clarifying any doubtful data

#1, 2, 5 RATIONALE: Interpretation is an essential skill in critical thinking. The nurse should be orderly in data collection, so that all aspects of a patient's health are considered. Categorization of the data can indicate a patient problem or need. Clarifying doubtful data is also important in critical thinking. Making assumptions and being open-minded to information are analytic skills, not interpretation skills.

The student nurse uses the scientific method when doing a research project, which is required to obtain a graduate degree. Arrange the steps of the scientific method in the correct order. Correct 1.Identification of the problem 2.Formulation of a hypothesis 3.Collection of data 4.Testing the question or hypothesis 5.Evaluation of the test or study results

#1,#3,#2,#4,#5

A second-year nursing student works in a surgical unit. A 56-year-old male patient admitted in the unit underwent a prostatectomy. He expresses to the nursing student that he is experiencing some pain and discomfort. The nursing student examines the patient's wound. Which describe a good critical thinker? Select all that apply. 1.Diagnostic 2. Analytic 3.Systematic 4. Inquisitive 5. Overconfident

#2, 3, 4 To be a critical thinker, it is essential to be analytical. The nursing student should analyze the problem and estimate the possible results. The nurse should also be systematic to be organized and focused on the work. Inquisitiveness is necessary to learn more and acquire knowledge. Establishing a nursing diagnosis is a part of the nursing process, not a characteristic of critical thinking. The nurse should have self-confidence but should not be overconfident. The nurse should be open-minded and mature enough to acknowledge mistakes for the betterment of the patient, if required.

A 40 year old patient is admitted with severe pain in the lower abdomen. A newly hired nurse is assigned to care for this patient. Which levels of critical thinking according to Kataoka-Yahiro and Saylor's model should the nurse use? Select all that apply. 1.Basic 2.Complex 3.Advanced 4.Intermediate 5.Commitment

1.Basic 2.Complex 5.Commitment Rationale: There are three levels of critical thinking: basic, complex, and commitment. In the basic level, nurses follow whatever instructions experts or manuals tell them. At this level the nurse's experience is low. In the complex level, the nurse begins to analyze the situation independently and does not just follow the experts. At the commitment level, the nurse anticipates when to make decisions without assistance from others. The experience is high at this level.

The nurse understands that interpretation is an important skill in critical thinking. In which activities can the nurse implement interpretation skills? Select all that apply. 1.Being orderly in data collection 2.Looking for patterns to categorize data 3.Making assumptions 4.Being open-minded about information 5.Clarifying any doubtful data

1.Being orderly in data collection 2.Looking for patterns to categorize data 5.Clarifying any doubtful data Rationale: Interpretation is an essential skill in critical thinking. The nurse should be orderly in data collection, so that all aspects of a patient's health are considered. Categorization of the data can indicate a patient problem or need. Clarifying doubtful data is also important in critical thinking. Making assumptions and being open-minded to information are analytic skills, not interpretation skills.

A patient has undergone a below-the-knee amputation. Which nursing intervention should the nurse suggest to the patient to promote mobility? 1.Lift soup cans. 2. Increase calcium intake. 3. Increase vitamin C intake. 4.Avoid performing range-of-motion exercises.

1.Lift soup cans. Rationale: The patient with a below-the-knee amputation has restricted mobility. The patient should be advised to exercise the rest of the body. Lifting soup cans helps to improve the patient's strength and abilities.

A patient has her call bell on and looks frightened when the nurse enters the room. The patient has been on bed rest for 3 days following a fractured femur. She says, "It hurts when I try to breathe, and I can't catch my breath." What should the nurse do first? 1.Call the healthcare provider to report this change in condition. 2.Give the patient a paper bag to breathe into to decrease anxiety. 3.Assess vital signs, perform a respiratory assessment, and be prepared to start oxygen. 4.Explain that this is normal after such trauma and administer the ordered pain medication.

3.Assess vital signs, perform a respiratory assessment, and be prepared to start oxygen. Rationale: The patient is exhibiting signs of possible pulmonary emboli, which can be life threatening. The nurse must assess the patient, be prepared to start oxygen, and have someone call the surgeon while staying with the patient to continue to monitor the patient's status.

A 40-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital with severe pain in the lower abdomen. The student nurse is assigned to care for this patient. After nursing interventions, the pain did not subside substantially. The nursing student then started looking for different approaches to the patient's pain relief. Which aspect of critical thinking did the student nurse display? 1.Fairness 2.Discipline 3.Creativity 4.Risk-taking

3.Creativity RATIONALE: Creativity is an attitude of critical thinking that involves exploring different approaches if the interventions are not working for the patient. Fairness is making decisions without prejudice. Discipline is being thorough in work and managing time effectively. Risk-taking is being courageous and questioning interventions if needed.

A patient has undergone throat surgery and is unable to speak. The following day while performing routine care, the nurse finds it difficult to interact with the patient. How should the nurse manage this situation? 1.Wait until the patient is able to speak. 2.Make physical assessments as directed. 3.Use message boards to communicate with the patient. 4.Consult with the primary health care provider for further actions.

3.Use message boards to communicate with the patient. Rationale: The nurse should have the perseverance to know the patient's situation and should try all possible interventions to alleviate the patient's problems. In this situation, because the patient is not in a position to speak, the nurse may use a message board or an alarm bell.

A 56-year-old male patient admitted to the surgical unit underwent a prostatectomy. The patient expresses to the nurse that he is experiencing some pain and discomfort. The nurse examines the patient's wound and uses the scientific method of critical thinking while assessing the patient. Arrange the steps of the scientific method of critical thinking in the correct order. 1.Identifying the problem 2.Collecting essential data 3.Formulating questions 4.Requesting diagnostic tests 5.Diagnosing the problem

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The nurse understands the increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries due to activities such as lifting objects, pushing beds, and bathing and feeding patients. Which measures should the nurse adopt to prevent injury? Select all that apply. 1. Bend at the knees. 2.Relax the abdominal muscles. 3.Maintain an erect trunk and bent knees. 4. Get assistance when moving patients. 5. Keep the weight to be lifted as close to the body as possible.

1. Bend at the knees, 3. Maintain an erect trick and Bent knees, 4. Get assistance when moving patients, 5. Keep the weight to be lifted as close to the body as possible. Rationale: Bending at the knees helps to maintain the center of gravity and thus keeps the body aligned. Bending at the knees uses the stronger leg muscles to do the lifting, preventing exhaustion of other small muscles. Maintaining the trunk erect with knees bent helps multiple muscle groups work together and prevents overworking a single muscle. Getting assistance when shifting patients promotes patient safety and prevents musculoskeletal injury. The risk of injury is less if the object is in the same plane as the person lifting it and is close to the center of gravity for balance. Therefore, the object should be kept as close to the body as possible.

The nurse is evaluating a patient who was diagnosed with osteoporosis 3 months ago. The patient has limited mobility and has been taught measures to limit risks associated with osteoporosis. Which statements made by the patient indicate effective outcomes of the teaching? Select all that apply. 1."I have reduced smoking to three cigarettes per day." 2."I am using a cane to walk when I am alone." 3."I reduced drinking coffee to 1 cup per day." 4."I added spinach to my daily diet because I am lactose intolerant." 5."I can perform normal daily activities with the support of my son."

2."I am using a cane to walk when I am alone." 3."I reduced drinking coffee to 1 cup per day." 4."I added spinach to my daily diet because I am lactose intolerant." Rationale: Using a cane to walk is a safety measure that reduces the risk of falls. Reducing the intake of caffeinated products such as coffee indicates effective teaching, as it will improve bone strength by enhancing calcium absorption. Spinach is a calcium rich food that also improves the bone strength. Smoking should be stopped completely. The patient should be able to perform normal daily activities independently.

A second-year nursing student works in a surgical unit. A 56-year-old male patient admitted in the unit underwent a prostatectomy. He expresses to the nursing student that he is experiencing some pain and discomfort. The nursing student examines the patient's wound. Which describe a good critical thinker? Select all that apply. 1.Diagnostic 2.Analytic 3. Systematic 4. Inquisitive 5 .Overconfident

2.Analytic 3. Systematic 4. Inquisitive Rati0nale: To be a critical thinker, it is essential to be analytical. The nursing student should analyze the problem and estimate the possible results. The nurse should also be systematic to be organized and focused on the work. Inquisitiveness is necessary to learn more and acquire knowledge.

A patient had hip surgery 16 hours ago. During the previous shift the patient had 40 mL of drainage in the surgical drainage collection device over an 8-hour period. The nurse refers to the written plan of care and notes that the health care provider should be notified when drainage in the device exceeds 100 mL for the day. On entering the room, the nurse looks at the device and carefully notes the amount of drainage currently in it. What is this an example of? 1.Planning 2.Evaluation 3.Intervention 4.Diagnosis

2.Evaluation Rationale:The patient's baseline for wound drainage was 40 mL, representing the initial assessment of the patient's wound condition. In this example the nurse evaluates the amount of drainage to determine if there has been a change, which indicates the progress of wound healing.