Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice Question
1. Which of the following best reflects the philosophy of critical thinking as taught
by a nurse educator to a nursing student?
1. "Think about several interventions that you could use with this client."
2."Don't draw subjective inferences about your client—be more objective."
3."Please think harder—there is a single solution for which I am looking."
4."Trust your feelings—don't be concerned about trying to find a rationale to
support your decision." - ANS - 1
The nurse educator is asking the student to synthesize critical thinking skills by
encouraging the student to examine alternatives to meet the client's unique
needs within the context of the nursing process. Drawing inferences is a specific
critical thinking competency used in diagnostic reasoning. The educator who
tells the student not to draw inferences is not allowing the student to practice
competencies necessary for specific critical thinking in clinical situations. The
critical thinker will look beyond a single solution to a problem. Intuition develops
as one's clinical experience increases. The nursing student should examine
\A client requires urinary catheterization but has difficulty keeping her legs in the
usual position needed for this procedure. The nurse has worked for many years
and adapts the procedure to allow the client to lie on her side. This action is
based on the critical thinking element of:
1.Curiosity
2.Experience
3.Perseverance
4.Scientific knowledge - ANS - 2
Having worked for many years and being able to adapt a procedure to meet the
client's needs is an example of the second component of the critical thinking
model—experience. Curiosity is a critical thinking attitude where the nurse asks
why, and continues to learn more about the client to make appropriate clinical
, judgments. Perseverance is a critical thinking attitude where the nurse does not
readily accept the easy answer but does look further to find necessary
information and appropriate solutions. Scientific knowledge is knowledge
acquired from the study of science. It may be acquired through education, such
as coursework, or by reading nursing literature to remain current in nursing
science.
\A clinical nursing instructor asks the nursing students to describe a critical
thinker. Which of the following represents the best response?
1."A person with the educational background to solve problems."
2."A person who finds the problem and does what is best to fix it."
3."It's someone who uses the scientific method to solve problems."
4."Someone who uses a system to work through and solve a problem." - ANS - 2
A critical thinker considers what is important in a situation, imagines and
explores alternatives, considers ethical principles, and then makes informed
decisions. Educational background may have an impact on critical thinking but it
is not the primary or sole factor to consider. Although the scientific method is
often used in critical thinking it is neither the only method nor the sole factor to
consider. While an orderly method is used in critical thinking, it is not the only
factor to consider.
\A nurse is caring for a 35-year-old client who is 12 hours post mastectomy. The
care assistant reports that the client is crying. Which of the following responses
by the nurse best reflects the use of analysis regarding this client's care needs?
1."That surgery is painful. I'll get her pain medication ready."
2."She was sleeping when I checked 15 minutes ago. I'll go back in right now."
3."I'll be responsible for her PM care so I can spend some uninterrupted time with
her."
4."A mastectomy is a blow to a woman's self image. I'll notify her provider that
she is depressed." - ANS - 2
Analysis requires being opened-minded as you look at information about a client.
Do not make careless assumptions. Do the data reveal what you believe is true,
or are there other options? Although pain may be the cause of this client's tears,
there are other possible reasons, so making an assumption is not appropriate.
1. Which of the following best reflects the philosophy of critical thinking as taught
by a nurse educator to a nursing student?
1. "Think about several interventions that you could use with this client."
2."Don't draw subjective inferences about your client—be more objective."
3."Please think harder—there is a single solution for which I am looking."
4."Trust your feelings—don't be concerned about trying to find a rationale to
support your decision." - ANS - 1
The nurse educator is asking the student to synthesize critical thinking skills by
encouraging the student to examine alternatives to meet the client's unique
needs within the context of the nursing process. Drawing inferences is a specific
critical thinking competency used in diagnostic reasoning. The educator who
tells the student not to draw inferences is not allowing the student to practice
competencies necessary for specific critical thinking in clinical situations. The
critical thinker will look beyond a single solution to a problem. Intuition develops
as one's clinical experience increases. The nursing student should examine
\A client requires urinary catheterization but has difficulty keeping her legs in the
usual position needed for this procedure. The nurse has worked for many years
and adapts the procedure to allow the client to lie on her side. This action is
based on the critical thinking element of:
1.Curiosity
2.Experience
3.Perseverance
4.Scientific knowledge - ANS - 2
Having worked for many years and being able to adapt a procedure to meet the
client's needs is an example of the second component of the critical thinking
model—experience. Curiosity is a critical thinking attitude where the nurse asks
why, and continues to learn more about the client to make appropriate clinical
, judgments. Perseverance is a critical thinking attitude where the nurse does not
readily accept the easy answer but does look further to find necessary
information and appropriate solutions. Scientific knowledge is knowledge
acquired from the study of science. It may be acquired through education, such
as coursework, or by reading nursing literature to remain current in nursing
science.
\A clinical nursing instructor asks the nursing students to describe a critical
thinker. Which of the following represents the best response?
1."A person with the educational background to solve problems."
2."A person who finds the problem and does what is best to fix it."
3."It's someone who uses the scientific method to solve problems."
4."Someone who uses a system to work through and solve a problem." - ANS - 2
A critical thinker considers what is important in a situation, imagines and
explores alternatives, considers ethical principles, and then makes informed
decisions. Educational background may have an impact on critical thinking but it
is not the primary or sole factor to consider. Although the scientific method is
often used in critical thinking it is neither the only method nor the sole factor to
consider. While an orderly method is used in critical thinking, it is not the only
factor to consider.
\A nurse is caring for a 35-year-old client who is 12 hours post mastectomy. The
care assistant reports that the client is crying. Which of the following responses
by the nurse best reflects the use of analysis regarding this client's care needs?
1."That surgery is painful. I'll get her pain medication ready."
2."She was sleeping when I checked 15 minutes ago. I'll go back in right now."
3."I'll be responsible for her PM care so I can spend some uninterrupted time with
her."
4."A mastectomy is a blow to a woman's self image. I'll notify her provider that
she is depressed." - ANS - 2
Analysis requires being opened-minded as you look at information about a client.
Do not make careless assumptions. Do the data reveal what you believe is true,
or are there other options? Although pain may be the cause of this client's tears,
there are other possible reasons, so making an assumption is not appropriate.
