Critical Thinking is a... - ANSWER Complex, active, organized, and dynamic cognitive
process.
Process = a series of steps or components leading to the achievement of a goal or
outcome.
DON Curriculum Concept Definition of Critical Thinking. - ANSWER Purposeful process
of reflective, empirical and intuitive reasoning and judgment, grounded in
theory/experience/standards and can be demonstrated through skill performance and
patient care outcomes, while honoring patient values and beliefs.
Critical Thinking... - ANSWER -Requires inquisitive, open-mindedness and entails self-
improvement and reflection.
-Is the ability to critique and question existing practices, discriminate between
alternatives, and demonstrate sound decision making
-"Increases the probability of a desired outcome." (Halpern, 1996)
What does the Left Brain control? - ANSWER Logic and problem solving.
What does the Right Brain control? - ANSWER Creativeness and intuition.
When do we use Critical Thinking? - ANSWER -Integrating knowledge from other fields
(courses)
-Dealing with changing work environment (flexibility)
-Making informed decisions
Critical Thinking involves... - ANSWER Reflection; journaling & self-evaulation
Language; common terminology, clear & concise message
Intuition; sense of knowing
Levels of Critical Thinking - ANSWER Basic- concrete; novice vs. expert, right vs. wrong
Complex; adaptation, increased independence, questioning
Expert-commitment; anticipating needs
Basic Level of Critical Thinking. - ANSWER A patient care assistant is taking a blood
pressure on a surgical patient, the BP is 90/60.
The PCA is thinking that they need to chart that information.
Components of Successful Critical Thinking Process. - ANSWER Specific knowledge,
experience, competency, attitude, standards.
The Nursing Process. - ANSWER A competency unique to nursing.
Problem solving approach to client care (individual, family, group, or community)
, Specific way of thinking built on the scientific method that is systematic, non-linear, and
client focused.
Why use the Nursing Process? - ANSWER Way to define nursing, helps nurses met
professional standard of practice, promotes continuity of care, improves communication,
promotes efficiency.
Steps of the Nursing Process. - ANSWER ADPIE
Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation.
What is assessment? - ANSWER -Gathering of subjective and objective information
about the client's condition.
-Collect, organize, validate, prioritize and document.
-Critical thinking = comparing normal to abnormal, validating and prioritizing.
What is diagnosis? - ANSWER -Identify the client's problems - distinguish relevant from
irrelevant
-Write a NANDA approved nursing diagnosis based on cluster of defining characteristics
-CT = analyzing assessment and process of formulation
Physical Examination (ROS) - Objective Component of Assessment. - ANSWER
Inspection; integument
Auscultation; blood pressure
Palpation; pulses
Percussion
Clustering and Interpreting CUES. - ANSWER Cues are information acquired through
the 5 senses and compared to norms.
Clustering organizes data into meaningful groups to identify patterns and determine the
correct nursing diagnosis.
Purposes of Planning - ANSWER -Prioritize nursing diagnoses
Safety (ABC's), comfort
Non-emergent vs. life-threatening needs
Short vs. long-term, future oriented needs
-Determine client-centered expected outcomes - NOC (goals/objectives)
-Select nursing interventions - NIC
Purpose of Expected Outcome (EO) - ANSWER Provide direction for determining
nursing interventions
Provide a focus for evaluation
Expected Outcomes should address... - ANSWER -Immediate (high-priority) needs of
the client
-Prevention (1o, 2o, 3o)