Chapter 10: Critical Thinking and Nursing Practice

Question 1

Concept Mapping

Answer 1

a technique that uses a graphic depiction of nonlinear and linear relationships to represent critical thinking. An opportunity to “see” thinking. Promotes higher level thinking and decision-making skills. A valuable tool to improve nurses’ critical thinking, clinical decision making, and performance.

Question 2

Creativity

Answer 2

Thinking that results in the development of new ideas and products. Needed when encountering a new situation or client situation in which traditional interventions are not effective.

Question 3

Critical Analysis

Answer 3

The application of a set of questions to a particular situation or idea to determine essential information and ideas and discard superfluous (unnecessary) information and ideas.

Question 4

Critical Thinking

Answer 4

An intentional higher level reasoning process that is intellectually delineated (outlined) by one’s worldview, knowledge, and experience with skills, attitudes, and standards as a guide for rational judgment and action.

Question 5

Decision Making

Answer 5

Use critical thinking skills in _______ to help them choose the best action to meet a desired goal.

Question 6

Decision Making Process

Answer 6

IDENTIFY the purpose, SET the criteria: what is the desired outcome, what needs to be preserved, what needs to be avoided?, WEIGHT the criteria, SEEK alternatives, EXAMINE alternatives, PROJECT: what might go wrong as a result of a decision and develops plans to prevent, minimize, or overcome any problems, IMPLEMENT, EVALUATE the outcome.

Question 7

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 7

reasoning from the general premise to the specific conclusion.

Question 8

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 8

generalizations are formed from a set of facts or observations.

Question 9

Intuition

Answer 9

The understanding or learning of things without the conscious use of reasoning.

Question 10

Nursing Process

Answer 10

A systematic, rational method of planning and providing individualized nursing care. PHASES: Assessing, Diagnosing, Planning, Implementing, Evaluating.

Question 11

Problem Solving

Answer 11

The nurse obtains information that clarifies the nature of the problem and suggest possible solutions. Evaluates the possible solutions and chooses the best one. Continues to monitor the situation, and implements another solution if the first one fails.

Question 12

Socratic Questioning

Answer 12

A technique one can use to look beneath the surface, recognize and examine assumptions, search for inconsistencies, examine multiple points of view, and differentiate what one knows from what one merely believes.

Question 13

Trial & Error

Answer 13

A number of approaches are tried until a solution is found. Depending upon the setting, the nurse may use ___________ to find a solution. Can be dangerous because the client might suffer harm if an approach is inappropriate.

Question 14

Facts

Answer 14

Can be verified through investigation.

Question 15

Inferences

Answer 15

Conclusion drawn from facts, going beyond facts to make a statement about something not currently known.

Question 16

Judgments

Answer 16

Evaluation of facts or information that reflect values or other criteria; a type of opinion.

Question 17

Opinions

Answer 17

Beliefs formed over time; include judgments that may fit facts or be in error.

Question 18

Critical Thinkers: Certain Attitudes

Answer 18

INDEPENDENCE, FAIR-MINDEDNESS, INSIGHT, INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY (modest opinion), INTELLECTUAL COURAGE to challenge the status quo and rituals, INTEGRITY, PERSEVERANCE, CONFIDENCE, and CURIOSITY

Question 19

Problem-Solving Methods

Answer 19

Trial & Error, Intuition, and Research

Question 20

Forming Critical Thinking Skills

Answer 20

Performing a SELF-ASSESSMENT, TOLERATING DISSONANCE (inconsistency) and AMBIGUITY (uncertainty), SEEKING SITUATIONS where good thinking is productive, and CREATING ENVIRONMENTS that support critical thinking.