Ch. 8 Critical Thinking FUND
A nurse believes that substance abuse is a serious problem with negative consequences for pt and families. The nurse, however, provides excellent care to a patient who is admitted with this problem. The nurse is displaying the critical thinking attitude of:
fairness
During the process of reflection, what is the most appropriate question for a nurse to ask himself or herself?
"What could I have done differently?"
You receive reports on your pt assignment for the day. You have 6 pts who require assessment and have orders for tx and meds. How can you use critical thinking to approach the multiple patient assignment.
*Determine the current status of each pt. *ID the priority assessment and interventions *Looking at pt background, dx, and baseline data *Organizing actions to maximize efficiency and pt. safety and satisfaction
A pt. who has just been diagnosed with heart disease, is being d/c to his home. he will be on a low-sodium and low-cholesterol diet. Using critical thinking skills, what areas will you focus on for this pt and his new diet?
*knowledge of the dx. and tx. *familiarity and comfort with the diet and food choices *support system-other family members, finances *need to do his own shopping and cooking *emotional response to the dx
Decision making
End point of critical thinking that leads to problem resolution
Intuition
Inner sensing that something is so
Reflection
Process of recalling an event to determine its meaning and purpose
Diagnostic reasoning
Series of clinical judgments that result in informal or formal diagnoses
Scientific method
a process that moves from observable facts from an experience to a reasonable explanation of those facts.
Identify the level of critical thinking demonstrated by each of the following: a. trusting experts to have the right answers for every problem b. analyzing and examining problems more independently c. making choices without assistance and accepting accountability
a. basic b. complex c. commitment
Identify one example of how critical thinking is used in each of the following steps of the nursing program: a. assessment b. nursing diagnosis c. planning d. implementation e. evaluation
a. collecting/ analyzing data b. ID pt. problems c. outcomes, prioritizing, delegating d. preforming nursing interventions safer e. determining achievement of outcomes, reassessing as indicated
Identify the attitude of critical thinking demonstrated for each of the following: a. performing a skill safely and effectively b. questioning an order that appears incorrect c. performing a systematic and thorough pain assessment d. developing a unique way to teach the patient how to change a dressing e. admitting to the nurse manager that a medication was given in error
a. confidence b. thinking independently c. discipline d. creativity e. integrity
Provide an example of how the nurse can use each of the following critical thinking skills: a. reflection b. language c. learning
a. reflection allows the nurse to look back and learn from an experience and id opportunities for improvement b. language must be used clearly and precisely to communicate effectively with pts, families, and other members of the health care team c. learning is a continuous process and necessary for nurses as the professions grows. with experience and learning, nurses get better at forming assumptions, presenting ideas, and making valid conclusions about pt. care
clinical care experiences have recently begun for a student nurse. When beginning to work with pt., the student nurse implements critical thinking in practice by:
asking for assistance if uncertain
Entering a room at 2:00 AM, a nurse notes that the pt. is not in bed; the pt is sitting in the chair and states that she is having difficulty sleeping. Employing critical thinking, the nurse responds by:
asking more about the pts sleep problem
which of the following statements are accurate regarding critical thinking attitudes: select all that apply. a. risk- taking is not desirable in pt. care b. using disciplined thinking reduces creativity c. perseverance can indicate that one is always looking for available resources d. personal feelings should not be allowed to influence delivery of care e. all sides of each situation should be considered f. intuition should be used as a primary tool in determining patient care
c, d, e
having worked for a number of years in the acute care environment, a nurse achieved the ability to use a complex level of critical thinking the nurse:
implements creative and innovative options
In employing critical thinking, the first step that the nurse should use is
interpretation
In using the critical thinking skill of self-regulation, a nurse will:
reflection on his or her own experiences and improve performance
What are two useful tools for developing critical thinking skills?
reflective journaling and concept mapping
Orientation for new nurses begins. The instructor assembled info on critical thinking and nursing approaches. The instructor recognizes that critical thinkers in nursing:
review data in a disciplined manner
A nurse has extremely large pt. assignment this evening and begins to feel overwhelmed. What is the nurse's priority activity?
reviewing the overall assignment to get his or her bearings
A nurse is caring for a pt. who is experiencing a respiratory disorder. Intuition is a part of the critical thinking process for the nurse. while caring for the pt, the nurse demonstrates intuition by:
sensing that the pt. is not doing as well this morning as before
ID the elements of the critical thinking model
specific knowledge base, experience, competence, attitudes, and standards
A nurse has a diverse pt assignment this evening. When reviewing the pt conditions, the nurse determines that the first individual who should be seen is:
the pt who is hypotensive
