🧠 NCLEX-Style Study Guide for NURS
3290: Basic Foundations
💡 CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING
Definition & Importance
● Critical Thinking: Continuous, reasoned thinking that includes openness, reflection,
inquiry, and logical analysis.
● Importance: Leads to safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Clinical Judgment
● Definition: A nurse’s decision about a patient’s needs based on assessment, analysis,
and contextual factors.
● Factors Influencing Judgment: Experience, nursing knowledge, patient context,
care environment.
Levels of Critical Thinking
1. Basic – Follows rules/guidelines.
2. Complex – Begins to analyze and question.
3. Commitment – Makes decisions independently and takes accountability.
🩺 NURSING ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Types of Assessments
● Initial (Baseline): Upon admission or first contact.
● Focused: Specific problem or complaint.
● Emergency: During crisis or deterioration.
● Ongoing: Continual reassessment.
, Data Types
● Subjective: Symptoms reported by patient.
● Objective: Signs observed/measured (vital signs, physical findings).
Sources of Data
● Primary: Patient.
● Secondary: Family, health care providers, records.
Interview Phases
1. Orientation – Introduce, build trust.
2. Working – Gather data.
3. Termination – Summarize, clarify.
📄 DOCUMENTATION BASICS
Purpose of Documentation
● Communicates care.
● Legal record.
● Quality improvement.
● Reimbursement.
Best Practices
● Use clear, professional language.
● Quote subjective statements directly.
● Record observations accurately and promptly.
● Protect patient confidentiality (HIPAA).
3290: Basic Foundations
💡 CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING
Definition & Importance
● Critical Thinking: Continuous, reasoned thinking that includes openness, reflection,
inquiry, and logical analysis.
● Importance: Leads to safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Clinical Judgment
● Definition: A nurse’s decision about a patient’s needs based on assessment, analysis,
and contextual factors.
● Factors Influencing Judgment: Experience, nursing knowledge, patient context,
care environment.
Levels of Critical Thinking
1. Basic – Follows rules/guidelines.
2. Complex – Begins to analyze and question.
3. Commitment – Makes decisions independently and takes accountability.
🩺 NURSING ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Types of Assessments
● Initial (Baseline): Upon admission or first contact.
● Focused: Specific problem or complaint.
● Emergency: During crisis or deterioration.
● Ongoing: Continual reassessment.
, Data Types
● Subjective: Symptoms reported by patient.
● Objective: Signs observed/measured (vital signs, physical findings).
Sources of Data
● Primary: Patient.
● Secondary: Family, health care providers, records.
Interview Phases
1. Orientation – Introduce, build trust.
2. Working – Gather data.
3. Termination – Summarize, clarify.
📄 DOCUMENTATION BASICS
Purpose of Documentation
● Communicates care.
● Legal record.
● Quality improvement.
● Reimbursement.
Best Practices
● Use clear, professional language.
● Quote subjective statements directly.
● Record observations accurately and promptly.
● Protect patient confidentiality (HIPAA).
