Chapter 15

In which order will the nurse use the nursing process steps during the clinical decision-making process? 1. Evaluating goals 2. Assessing patient needs 3. Planning priorities of care 4. Determining nursing diagnoses 5. Implementing nursing interventions a. 2, 4, 3, 5, 1 b. 4, 3, 2, 1, 5 c. 1, 2, 4, 5, 3 d. 5, 1, 2, 3, 4

a. 2, 4, 3, 5, 1

A patient continues to report postsurgical incision pain at a level of 9 out of 10 after pain medicine is given. The next dose of pain medicine is not due for another hour. What should the critically thinking nurse do first? a. Explore other options for pain relief. b. Discuss the surgical procedure and reason for the pain. c. Explain to the patient that nothing else has been ordered. d. Offer to notify the health care provider after morning rounds are completed.

a. Explore other options for pain relief.

While caring for a hospitalized older-adult female post hip surgery, the nurse is faced with the task of inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, which involves rotating the hip into a contraindicated position. Which action should the nurse take? a. Postpone catheter insertion until the next shift. b. Adapt the positioning technique to the situation. c. Notify the health care provider for a urologist consult. d. Follow textbook procedure with contraindicated position.

b. Adapt the positioning technique to the situation.

A patient is having trouble reaching the water fountain while holding on to crutches. The nurse suggests that the patient place the crutches against the wall while stabilizing him or herself with two hands on the water fountain. Which critical thinking attitude did the nurse use in this situation? a. Humility b. Creativity c. Risk taking d. Confidence

b. Creativity

A nurse is reviewing care plans. Which finding, if identified in a plan of care, should the registered nurse revise? a. Patient's outcomes for learning b. Nurse's assumptions about hospital discharge c. Identification of several actual health problems d. Documentation of patient's ability to meet the goal

b. Nurse's assumptions about hospital discharge

Which action should the nurse take to best develop critical thinking skills? a. Study 3 hours more each night. b. Attend all inservice opportunities. c. Actively participate in clinical experiences. d. Interview staff nurses about their nursing experiences.

c. Actively participate in clinical experiences.

Which patient scenario of a surgical patient in pain is most indicative of critical thinking? a. Administering pain-relief medication according to what was given last shift b. Offering pain-relief medication based on the health care provider's orders c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods, pharmacological and nonpharmacological, have worked in the past d. Explaining to the patient that self-reporting of severe pain is not consistent with the minor procedure that was performed

c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods, pharmacological and nonpharmacological, have worked in the past

Which action should the nurse take when using critical thinking to make clinical decisions? a. Make decisions based on intuition. b. Accept one established way to provide care. c. Consider what is important in a given situation. d. Read and follow the heath care provider's orders.

c. Consider what is important in a given situation.

Which action demonstrates a nurse utilizing reflection to improve clinical decision making? a. Obtains data in an orderly fashion b. Uses an objective approach in patient situations c. Improves a plan of care while thinking back on interventions effectiveness d. Provides evidence-based explanations and research for care of assigned patients

c. Improves a plan of care while thinking back on interventions effectiveness

The patient appears to be in no apparent distress, but vital signs taken by assistive personnel reveal an extremely low pulse. The nurse then auscultates an apical pulse and asks the patient whether there is any history of heart problems. The nurse is utilizing which critical thinking skill? a. Evaluation b. Explanation c. Interpretation d. Self-regulation

c. Interpretation

A nurse is using the critical thinking skill of evaluation. Which action will the nurse take? a. Examine the meaning of data. b. Support findings and conclusions. c. Review the effectiveness of nursing actions. d. Search for links between the data and the nurse's assumptions.

c. Review the effectiveness of nursing actions.

The nurse enters a room to find the patient sitting up in bed crying. How will the nurse display a critical thinking attitude in this situation? a. Provide privacy and check on the patient 30 minutes later. b. Set a box of tissues at the patient's bedside before leaving the room. c. Limit visitors while the patient is upset. d. Ask the patient about the crying.

d. Ask the patient about the crying.

A nurse who is caring for a patient with a pressure ulcer applies the recommended dressing according to hospital policy. Which standard is the nurse following? a. Fairness b. Intellectual standards c. Independent reasoning d. Institutional practice guidelines

d. Institutional practice guidelines

A nurse is using a critical thinking model to provide care. Which component is first that helps a nurse make clinical decisions? a. Attitude b. Experience c. Nursing process d. Specific knowledge base

d. Specific knowledge base

A nurse is using professional standards to influence clinical decisions. What is the rationale for the nurse's actions? a. Establishes minimal passing standards for testing b. Utilizes evidence-based practice based on nurses' needs c. Bypasses the patient's feelings to promote ethical standards d. Uses critical thinking for the highest level of quality nursing care

d. Uses critical thinking for the highest level of quality nursing care

Which action by a nurse indicates application of the critical thinking model to make the best clinical decisions? a. Drawing on past clinical experiences to formulate standardized care plans b. Relying on recall of information from past lectures and textbooks c. Depending on the charge nurse to determine priorities of care d. Using the nursing process

d. Using the nursing process