ATI CRITICAL THINKING /CRITICAL THINKING ATI
PROCTORED EXAM LATEST VERSION |REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS | A GRADE
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."
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
The second component of critical thinking in the "critical thinking model" is:
1. Experience
2. Competencies
3. Specific knowledge
4. Diagnostic reasoning
1
Experience is the second component of critical thinking in the "critical thinking model." The
third component of the "critical thinking model" is competencies. Specific knowledge base is the
first component of the "critical thinking model." Diagnostic reasoning is a specific critical
thinking competency in clinical situations.
The nurse enters the room of a client who has a history of heart disease. On looking at the client,
the nurse feels that something is "not right" with the client and proceeds to take the vital signs.
This is the nurse acting on:
1. Intuition
,2. Reflection
3. Knowledge
4. Scientific methodology
1
Intuition is an inner sensing that something is so, as in this example. Reflection is the process of
purposefully thinking back or recalling a situation to discover its purpose or meaning.
Knowledge of the nurse includes information and theory from the basic sciences, humanities,
behavioral sciences, and nursing. Scientific methodology is an approach to seeking the truth or
verifying that a set of facts agrees with reality.
The nurse manager has developed a staff protocol for peer evaluation. The nurses on her surgical
unit are nervous about using her instrument. If the nurse manager continues to implement the
new strategy, which of the following critical thinking attitudes is she portraying?
1.Humility
2.Risk-taking
3.Accountability
4.Independent thinking
2
This is an example of the critical thinking attitude of risk-taking. A critical thinker is willing to
take risks in trying different approaches to solving problems. Humility is a critical thinking
attitude in which a person admits what they do not know and tries to acquire the knowledge
needed to make proper decisions. To be accountable means to be answerable for the outcomes of
your actions. To think independently, one questions others' ways of interpreting knowledge and
looks for rational and logical answers to problems.
The nurse is working with a client who has recently had a colostomy and is having difficulty
using the provided supplies. The nurse works with the client to see which alternative supplies are
easier for the client to use. This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of:
1.Inference
2.Management
3.Problem-solving
4.Diagnostic reasoning
3
This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of problem-solving. The nurse gathers
,information from the client and combines that information with what the nurse already knows
about ostomy care to find a solution. Effective problem-solving involves the examination of
alternatives. Inference is the process of drawing conclusions. Management is not a critical
thinking strategy. Diagnostic reasoning is a process of determining a client's health status after
the nurse assigns meaning to the behaviors, physical signs, and symptoms presented by the
client.
Which of the following is an example of a nurse's statement that reflects using the scientific
method in the nursing process?
1."I believe that this client is getting depressed."
2."The client doesn't look right to me; I think something is wrong."
3."The client's husband told me that she is feeling very uncomfortable."
4."The client reports more pain than yesterday and her blood pressure is elevated."
4
Reporting more pain than yesterday and elevated blood pressure reflects using the scientific
method in the nursing process. The nurse identified a problem of pain, hypothesized that it was
greater than the day before, and collected data to evaluate its reality. Believing the client is
depressed or thinking something is wrong reflect intuition. Speaking with the husband reflects
information gathering, which may be used in diagnostic reasoning.
The nurse decides to administer tablets of Tylenol instead of the intramuscular Demerol she has
previously been providing her orthopedic client. Which step of the nursing process does this
address?
1.Assessment
2.Nursing diagnosis
3.Planning
4.Implementation
4
Taking appropriate action demonstrates the implementation step of the nursing process.
Assessment involves the gathering of data. When formulating a nursing diagnosis, the nurse
critically examines and analyzes the data, and identifies the client's response to a problem. The
nurse may then determine priorities. Planning involves establishing goals and expected outcomes
of care.
The nurse has a multiple client assignment on the surgical unit. On beginning the shift, the nurse
needs to determine which postoperative client should be seen first. Of the following, the nurse
should go to see the client who:
1.Has a documented blood pressure of 90/50
2.Was medicated for back pain 10 minutes ago
, 3.Has an order to be out of bed and ambulated
4.Requires instructions for wound care before discharge
1
The nurse prioritizes actions and determines to see this client first because of a lower than
normal blood pressure for a postoperative patient. This nurse is using scientifically and practice-
based criteria for making clinical judgment. This is an example of following standards. The nurse
uses criteria such as the clinical condition of the client, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and risks
involved in treatment delays to determine which clients have the greatest priority for care.
There are a variety of levels of critical thinking. An example of critical thinking at the complex
level is:
1.Giving medication at the time ordered
2.Following a procedure for catheterization step-by-step
3.Reviewing all clients' medical records thoroughly
4.Discussing various alternative pain management techniques
4
Discussing alternative pain management techniques is an example of critical thinking at the
complex level. The nurse analyzes and examines alternatives more independently. Giving
medication at the time ordered is an example of the basic level of critical thinking. Following a
procedure step-by-step is an example of the basic level of critical thinking. Reviewing the client's
medical records thoroughly is an example of gathering data and may be used in evaluation of a
client's care.
he nurse is deciding on the type of dressing to use for a client. Which step of the decision-
making process is being used when the nurse observes the absorbency of different dressing
brands?
1.Defining the problem
2.Making final decisions
3.Testing possible options
4.Considering consequences
3
The nurse who observes the absorbency of different brands of dressing is demonstrating testing
of possible options. This is not an example of defining the problem. The nurse has not yet made a
final decision. The nurse is not examining pros and cons, and therefore is not considering
consequences.
Which one of the following examples demonstrates the critical thinking attitude of responsibility
and authority?
PROCTORED EXAM LATEST VERSION |REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS | A GRADE
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."
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
The second component of critical thinking in the "critical thinking model" is:
1. Experience
2. Competencies
3. Specific knowledge
4. Diagnostic reasoning
1
Experience is the second component of critical thinking in the "critical thinking model." The
third component of the "critical thinking model" is competencies. Specific knowledge base is the
first component of the "critical thinking model." Diagnostic reasoning is a specific critical
thinking competency in clinical situations.
The nurse enters the room of a client who has a history of heart disease. On looking at the client,
the nurse feels that something is "not right" with the client and proceeds to take the vital signs.
This is the nurse acting on:
1. Intuition
,2. Reflection
3. Knowledge
4. Scientific methodology
1
Intuition is an inner sensing that something is so, as in this example. Reflection is the process of
purposefully thinking back or recalling a situation to discover its purpose or meaning.
Knowledge of the nurse includes information and theory from the basic sciences, humanities,
behavioral sciences, and nursing. Scientific methodology is an approach to seeking the truth or
verifying that a set of facts agrees with reality.
The nurse manager has developed a staff protocol for peer evaluation. The nurses on her surgical
unit are nervous about using her instrument. If the nurse manager continues to implement the
new strategy, which of the following critical thinking attitudes is she portraying?
1.Humility
2.Risk-taking
3.Accountability
4.Independent thinking
2
This is an example of the critical thinking attitude of risk-taking. A critical thinker is willing to
take risks in trying different approaches to solving problems. Humility is a critical thinking
attitude in which a person admits what they do not know and tries to acquire the knowledge
needed to make proper decisions. To be accountable means to be answerable for the outcomes of
your actions. To think independently, one questions others' ways of interpreting knowledge and
looks for rational and logical answers to problems.
The nurse is working with a client who has recently had a colostomy and is having difficulty
using the provided supplies. The nurse works with the client to see which alternative supplies are
easier for the client to use. This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of:
1.Inference
2.Management
3.Problem-solving
4.Diagnostic reasoning
3
This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of problem-solving. The nurse gathers
,information from the client and combines that information with what the nurse already knows
about ostomy care to find a solution. Effective problem-solving involves the examination of
alternatives. Inference is the process of drawing conclusions. Management is not a critical
thinking strategy. Diagnostic reasoning is a process of determining a client's health status after
the nurse assigns meaning to the behaviors, physical signs, and symptoms presented by the
client.
Which of the following is an example of a nurse's statement that reflects using the scientific
method in the nursing process?
1."I believe that this client is getting depressed."
2."The client doesn't look right to me; I think something is wrong."
3."The client's husband told me that she is feeling very uncomfortable."
4."The client reports more pain than yesterday and her blood pressure is elevated."
4
Reporting more pain than yesterday and elevated blood pressure reflects using the scientific
method in the nursing process. The nurse identified a problem of pain, hypothesized that it was
greater than the day before, and collected data to evaluate its reality. Believing the client is
depressed or thinking something is wrong reflect intuition. Speaking with the husband reflects
information gathering, which may be used in diagnostic reasoning.
The nurse decides to administer tablets of Tylenol instead of the intramuscular Demerol she has
previously been providing her orthopedic client. Which step of the nursing process does this
address?
1.Assessment
2.Nursing diagnosis
3.Planning
4.Implementation
4
Taking appropriate action demonstrates the implementation step of the nursing process.
Assessment involves the gathering of data. When formulating a nursing diagnosis, the nurse
critically examines and analyzes the data, and identifies the client's response to a problem. The
nurse may then determine priorities. Planning involves establishing goals and expected outcomes
of care.
The nurse has a multiple client assignment on the surgical unit. On beginning the shift, the nurse
needs to determine which postoperative client should be seen first. Of the following, the nurse
should go to see the client who:
1.Has a documented blood pressure of 90/50
2.Was medicated for back pain 10 minutes ago
, 3.Has an order to be out of bed and ambulated
4.Requires instructions for wound care before discharge
1
The nurse prioritizes actions and determines to see this client first because of a lower than
normal blood pressure for a postoperative patient. This nurse is using scientifically and practice-
based criteria for making clinical judgment. This is an example of following standards. The nurse
uses criteria such as the clinical condition of the client, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and risks
involved in treatment delays to determine which clients have the greatest priority for care.
There are a variety of levels of critical thinking. An example of critical thinking at the complex
level is:
1.Giving medication at the time ordered
2.Following a procedure for catheterization step-by-step
3.Reviewing all clients' medical records thoroughly
4.Discussing various alternative pain management techniques
4
Discussing alternative pain management techniques is an example of critical thinking at the
complex level. The nurse analyzes and examines alternatives more independently. Giving
medication at the time ordered is an example of the basic level of critical thinking. Following a
procedure step-by-step is an example of the basic level of critical thinking. Reviewing the client's
medical records thoroughly is an example of gathering data and may be used in evaluation of a
client's care.
he nurse is deciding on the type of dressing to use for a client. Which step of the decision-
making process is being used when the nurse observes the absorbency of different dressing
brands?
1.Defining the problem
2.Making final decisions
3.Testing possible options
4.Considering consequences
3
The nurse who observes the absorbency of different brands of dressing is demonstrating testing
of possible options. This is not an example of defining the problem. The nurse has not yet made a
final decision. The nurse is not examining pros and cons, and therefore is not considering
consequences.
Which one of the following examples demonstrates the critical thinking attitude of responsibility
and authority?
