WINNINGHAM'S CRITICAL THINKING
CASES IN NURSING 6TH EDITION TEST
BANK EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 COMPLETE SOLVED
QUESTIONS
⩥ 2. Which patient scenario of a surgical patient in pain is most
indicative of critical thinking?
a. Administering pain-relief medication according to what was given last
shift
b. Offering pain-relief medication based on the health care provider's
orders
c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods, pharmacological and
nonpharmacological, have worked in the past
d. Explaining to the patient that self-reporting of severe pain is not
consistent with the minor procedure that was performed? Answer: ANS:
C
Asking the patient what pain-relief methods have worked in the past is
an example of exploring many options for pain relief.
Nonpharmacological pain-relief methods are available, as are
medications for pain. Administering medication based on a previous
assessment is not practicing according to standards of care. The nurse is
to conduct an assessment each shift on assigned patients and intervene
accordingly. Pain is subjective. The nurse should offer pain-relief
methods based on the patient's reports without being judgmental.
, ⩥ 3. Which action indicates a registered nurse is being responsible for
making clinical decisions?
a. Applies clear textbook solutions to patients' problems
b. Takes immediate action when a patient's condition worsens
c. Uses only traditional methods of providing care to patients
d. Formulates standardized care plans solely for groups of patients
Answer: ANS: B
Registered nurses are responsible for making clinical decisions to take
immediate action when a patient's condition worsens. Patient care should
be based on evidence-based practice, not on tradition. Most patients
have health care problems for which there are no clear textbook
solutions. Care plans should be individualized for each patient, not just
for groups.
⩥ 4. A charge nurse is supervising the care of a new nurse. Which action
by a new nurse indicates the charge nurse needs to intervene?
a. Making an ethical clinical decision
b. Making an informed clinical decision
c. Making a clinical decision in the patient's best interest
d. Making a clinical decision based on previous shift assessments?
Answer: ANS: D
The charge nurse must intervene when the nurse is using previous shift
assessments to make a decision; this is inappropriate. Nurses are
responsible for assessing their own patients to make decisions. Making
CASES IN NURSING 6TH EDITION TEST
BANK EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 COMPLETE SOLVED
QUESTIONS
⩥ 2. Which patient scenario of a surgical patient in pain is most
indicative of critical thinking?
a. Administering pain-relief medication according to what was given last
shift
b. Offering pain-relief medication based on the health care provider's
orders
c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods, pharmacological and
nonpharmacological, have worked in the past
d. Explaining to the patient that self-reporting of severe pain is not
consistent with the minor procedure that was performed? Answer: ANS:
C
Asking the patient what pain-relief methods have worked in the past is
an example of exploring many options for pain relief.
Nonpharmacological pain-relief methods are available, as are
medications for pain. Administering medication based on a previous
assessment is not practicing according to standards of care. The nurse is
to conduct an assessment each shift on assigned patients and intervene
accordingly. Pain is subjective. The nurse should offer pain-relief
methods based on the patient's reports without being judgmental.
, ⩥ 3. Which action indicates a registered nurse is being responsible for
making clinical decisions?
a. Applies clear textbook solutions to patients' problems
b. Takes immediate action when a patient's condition worsens
c. Uses only traditional methods of providing care to patients
d. Formulates standardized care plans solely for groups of patients
Answer: ANS: B
Registered nurses are responsible for making clinical decisions to take
immediate action when a patient's condition worsens. Patient care should
be based on evidence-based practice, not on tradition. Most patients
have health care problems for which there are no clear textbook
solutions. Care plans should be individualized for each patient, not just
for groups.
⩥ 4. A charge nurse is supervising the care of a new nurse. Which action
by a new nurse indicates the charge nurse needs to intervene?
a. Making an ethical clinical decision
b. Making an informed clinical decision
c. Making a clinical decision in the patient's best interest
d. Making a clinical decision based on previous shift assessments?
Answer: ANS: D
The charge nurse must intervene when the nurse is using previous shift
assessments to make a decision; this is inappropriate. Nurses are
responsible for assessing their own patients to make decisions. Making
