C HAPTER 15. C RITICAL T HINKING IN
N URSING P RACTICE
Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition; Potter Perry
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following nursing situations best reflects accountabilit y?
A. The nurse takes the oncology nursing certification examination.
B. The nurse files an incident report regarding a me dication error.
C. The nurse assesses the client for the possible cause of his pain.
D. The nurse tells the client, I dont know but I will find out for you.
ANS: B
To be accountable means to be answerable for the outcomes of your
actions. Answer 2 is an exampl e of the critical thinking attitude of
risk-taking. A critical thinker is willing to take risks in trying different
approaches to solving problems. To think independentl y, one questions
others ways of interpreting knowledge and looks for rational and
logical answers to problems. Humilit y is a critical thinking attitude
where a person admits what they do not know and tries to acquire the
knowledge needed to make proper decisions.
DIF: C REF: 224 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective
Care Environment
,2. Which of the following nursing actions is the best example of problem
solving?
A. Requesting the IV team to start an antibiotic drip on a client with a
history of being a difficult stick
B. Offering to call th e kitchen to provide an alternate breakfast for a
client who does not like cooked cereal
C. Trying several difficult wound dressings to determine which one the
client can appl y the most effectivel y
D. Calling for another pain medication order when the current drug
results in the client experiencing nausea
ANS: C
This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of problem solving.
The nurse gathers information by using several different products and
then uses this information to determine which will work bes t for the
client. Effective problem solving involves the examination of
alternatives. While requesting the IV team solves a problem, there is
little critical thinking needed because it would be understood that the
IV team would be called under these circum stances. Although calling
the kitchen solves a problem, there is little critical thinking needed
because it would be understood that the kitchen would be called under
these circumstances. Calling for another pain medication order solves a
problem, but ther e is little critical thinking needed because it would be
understood that the provider would be called for a new drug order
under these circumstances.
DIF: C REF: 219 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Assessment/Implementation MSC: NC LEX test plan
designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment
, 3. Which of the following clients should be prioritized with the most urgent
need for a nursing assessment?
A. A new admission admitted for swelling in the right ankle and knee
B. A second day postoperative client who rece ived pain medication 30
minutes ago
C. A client who the nursing assistant found crying in the bathroom
D. A client ready for discharge who requires a final assessment and
documentation
ANS: C
This client has an acute need that requires the nurses attention. Th e
facilit y has a policy regarding the amount of time available in which to
complete such an assessment and this client is in no acute distress, so
the assessment does not have priorit y. While a pain assessment is
required to evaluate the effectiveness of p ain medication, it does not
the have the priorit y of the other presented options. This client has no
acute problems and so the assessment does not have the priority of
some of the other options.
DIF: C REF: 221 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Assessm ent MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective
Care Environment
4. Which of the following nursing interventions is the best example of the
implementation step of the nursing process?
A. Determining that the clients ankle edema is worse after he
ambulates
B. Asking the client to rate his ankle pain after receiving oral pain
medication
N URSING P RACTICE
Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition; Potter Perry
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following nursing situations best reflects accountabilit y?
A. The nurse takes the oncology nursing certification examination.
B. The nurse files an incident report regarding a me dication error.
C. The nurse assesses the client for the possible cause of his pain.
D. The nurse tells the client, I dont know but I will find out for you.
ANS: B
To be accountable means to be answerable for the outcomes of your
actions. Answer 2 is an exampl e of the critical thinking attitude of
risk-taking. A critical thinker is willing to take risks in trying different
approaches to solving problems. To think independentl y, one questions
others ways of interpreting knowledge and looks for rational and
logical answers to problems. Humilit y is a critical thinking attitude
where a person admits what they do not know and tries to acquire the
knowledge needed to make proper decisions.
DIF: C REF: 224 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective
Care Environment
,2. Which of the following nursing actions is the best example of problem
solving?
A. Requesting the IV team to start an antibiotic drip on a client with a
history of being a difficult stick
B. Offering to call th e kitchen to provide an alternate breakfast for a
client who does not like cooked cereal
C. Trying several difficult wound dressings to determine which one the
client can appl y the most effectivel y
D. Calling for another pain medication order when the current drug
results in the client experiencing nausea
ANS: C
This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of problem solving.
The nurse gathers information by using several different products and
then uses this information to determine which will work bes t for the
client. Effective problem solving involves the examination of
alternatives. While requesting the IV team solves a problem, there is
little critical thinking needed because it would be understood that the
IV team would be called under these circum stances. Although calling
the kitchen solves a problem, there is little critical thinking needed
because it would be understood that the kitchen would be called under
these circumstances. Calling for another pain medication order solves a
problem, but ther e is little critical thinking needed because it would be
understood that the provider would be called for a new drug order
under these circumstances.
DIF: C REF: 219 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Assessment/Implementation MSC: NC LEX test plan
designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment
, 3. Which of the following clients should be prioritized with the most urgent
need for a nursing assessment?
A. A new admission admitted for swelling in the right ankle and knee
B. A second day postoperative client who rece ived pain medication 30
minutes ago
C. A client who the nursing assistant found crying in the bathroom
D. A client ready for discharge who requires a final assessment and
documentation
ANS: C
This client has an acute need that requires the nurses attention. Th e
facilit y has a policy regarding the amount of time available in which to
complete such an assessment and this client is in no acute distress, so
the assessment does not have priorit y. While a pain assessment is
required to evaluate the effectiveness of p ain medication, it does not
the have the priorit y of the other presented options. This client has no
acute problems and so the assessment does not have the priority of
some of the other options.
DIF: C REF: 221 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Assessm ent MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective
Care Environment
4. Which of the following nursing interventions is the best example of the
implementation step of the nursing process?
A. Determining that the clients ankle edema is worse after he
ambulates
B. Asking the client to rate his ankle pain after receiving oral pain
medication
