Critical Thinking

Question 1

Give three examples of clinical judgement in nursing

Answer 1

Changes in a patient’s condition
When to call a physician
Should this medication be administered?

Question 2

Steps you should take using clinical judgement regarding changes in a patient’s condition

Answer 2

1- rule out physical pain first, before mental
2- treat the patient, not the machine
3- prioritize order of when to see each patient

Question 3

Define critical thinking

Answer 3

The ability to think in a systematic and logical manner with openness to question and reflect on the reasoning process

Question 4

Define reflection

Answer 4

Part of critical thinking that involves purposefully reviewing a situation to discover its purpose or meaning (thinking over what you did to determine why, and if it worked)

Question 5

Examples of reflection:

Answer 5

How did i act?
Why did i choose such an action?
What could i have done differently?

Question 6

What are the three levels of critical thinking in nursing?

Answer 6

Basically critical thinking
Complex critical thinking
Commitment

Question 7

What is basic critical thinking?

Answer 7

Focuses on performing skills and organizing nursing care activity by trusting that the experts have all the answers

Question 8

What is complex critical thinking?

Answer 8

When a nurse begins to rely less on experts and trusts their own decisions more
Finding original solutions to specific problems

Question 9

What is commitment?

Answer 9

When a nurse anticipates when to make choices without assistance from others
Can accept accountability for decisions made

Question 10

What is general critical thinking competencies (CTC)?

Answer 10

Critical thinking that is not unique to nursing

Question 11

What is specific critical thinking competencies (CTC)?

Answer 11

Critical thinking related to nursing

Question 12

Methods of general CTC

Answer 12

Scientific method
Problem solving
Decision making

Question 13

What is the scientific method?

Answer 13

A methodical way to solve problems using reasoning

Question 14

What is problem solving?

Answer 14

Obtain info and clarify the nature of the problem
Suggest possible solutions
Try the solution over time to make sure it’s effective

Question 15

What is decision making?

Answer 15

When you face a problem and choose a course of action from several options

Question 16

Three methods used in specific CTC

Answer 16

Diagnostic reasoning
Clinical decision making
Knowing the patient

Question 17

What is diagnostic reasoning?

Answer 17

Figuring out why

Question 18

What is clinical decision making?

Answer 18

Product of clinical thinking that focuses on resolving a patient’s problem

Question 19

What is knowing the patient?

Answer 19

In depth knowledge of a patient’s pattern of responses within a clinical situation and knowing the patient as a person

Question 20

How does the nursing process use CTC?

Answer 20

It combines the use of general and specific CTCs

Question 21

List the attitudes needed for critical thinking

Answer 21

Confidence
Independent thinking
Fairness
Responsibility/accountability
Risk taking
Perseverance applications
Creativity
Curiosity
Integrity
Humility

Question 22

How can a nurse show confidence?

Answer 22

Speak with conviction to a patient when beginning an intervention
Always be prepared before performing a nursing activity
Encourage the patient to ask questions

Question 23

How can a nurse show independent thinking?

Answer 23

Be open minded about different interventions
Talk with other nurses and share ideas

Question 24

How can a nurse show fairness?

Answer 24

Listen to both sides of a discussion
If a staff member labels a patient uncooperative, assume the care of that patient with openness

Question 25

How can a nurse show responsibility/accountability?

Answer 25

Ask for help Refer to policy and procedure manual Report problems Follow standards of care

Question 26

How can a nurse show risk taking?

Answer 26

If your knowledge causes you to question a healthcare provider, do so Be willing to recommend alternative approaches to colleagues

Question 27

How can a nurse show discipline?

Answer 27

Use scientific and practice-based criteria Take time to be thorough and manage time effectively

Question 28

How can a nurse show perseverance applications?

Answer 28

Be cautious of easy answers that avoid uncomfortable situations If facts seem to be missing, clarify info

Question 29

How can a nurse show creativity?

Answer 29

Look for different approaches if intervention isn’t working

Question 30

How can a nurse show curiosity?

Answer 30

Always ask why Be willing to challenge tradition Explore and learn more about a patient to make appropriate clinical judgements

Question 31

How can a nurse show integrity?

Answer 31

Recognize when your opinions conflict with those of a patient Do not compromise nursing standards or honesty in delivering nursing care

Question 32

How can a nurse show humility?

Answer 32

Recognize when you need more info to make a decision Ask for an orientation when you are new to a nursing division Ask RNs who are regularly assigned to the area for assistance with approaches to care

Question 33

Differentiate between intellectual standards and professional standards

Answer 33

Must have intellectual standards to have professional standards Intellectual brings forward knowledge and boundary setting Professional are criteria that needs to be met (Both use critical thinking)

Question 34

What are intellectual standards?

Answer 34

Guidelines or principles for rational thought Using: preciseness, accuracy, consistency To make sure you have all the data you need to make sound clinical decisions

Question 35

What are professional standards?

Answer 35

Used to improve patient outcomes and maintain a high level of quality nursing care using: - Ethical criteria for nursing judgements - Evidence-based criteria used for evaluation - Criteria for professional responsibility

Question 36

Three ways to develop critical thinking skills

Answer 36

Reflective journaling Meeting with colleagues Concept mapping

Question 37

Discuss the connection of stress management to clinical decision making

Answer 37

If you’re stressed, you can’t think properly (Ex: working 12 hour shifts can impair nursing judgement because of the way stress affects attention)

Question 38

Compare the nursing process to critical thinking

Answer 38

The two processes go hand in hand in making quality decisions about patient care. Critical thinking = reasoning process Nursing process = need to learn steps to incorporate the elements of critical thinking

Question 39

What are the steps of the nursing process?

Answer 39

Assessment Nursing diagnosis Planning Implementation Evaluation

Question 40

Define diagnostic reasoning

Answer 40

Process that enables an observer to assign the meaning to and classify phenomena in clinical situations by integrating observations and critical thinking

Question 41

Define inference

Answer 41

Judgement or interpretation of informational cues