Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice
Questions with correct answers
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." - CORRECT ANSWERS-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 - CORRECT ANSWERS-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." - CORRECT
ANSWERS-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." - CORRECT ANSWERS-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. Although Answer 3
shows the nurse's intention to analyze the client's needs, the delay is not appropriate.
While the client may be experiencing some depression, there are other possible
reasons for the tears and so the nurse should not assume.
Questions with correct answers
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." - CORRECT ANSWERS-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 - CORRECT ANSWERS-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." - CORRECT
ANSWERS-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." - CORRECT ANSWERS-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. Although Answer 3
shows the nurse's intention to analyze the client's needs, the delay is not appropriate.
While the client may be experiencing some depression, there are other possible
reasons for the tears and so the nurse should not assume.
