NUR 430 Midterm Examination with
Accurate Solved Solutions 2025-2026
Updated.
Define decision making: - Answer a complex cognitive process often defined as choosing a
particular course of action
making a selection and implementing a course of action from a group of alternatives
Define problem solving: - Answer a systematic process that focuses on analyzing a difficult
situation
an active process that starts with a problem and ends with a solution
Define critical thinking: - Answer purposeful, outcome-directed thinking that is based on a
body of knowledge derived from research and other sources of evidence
analyzing the way one thinks
What does critical thinking keep in mind? - Answer a goal or outcome
Why is critical thinking important for nurses (5 points)? - Answer information becomes
obsolete quickly, profession is complex, LIMITED # HOURS FOR THEORY AND CLINICAL IN
EDUCATION, information overload, conflicting responsibilities
What are the 6 cognitive skills for critical thinking? - Answer interpretation, analysis,
evaluation, inference, explanation, self-regulation
What are characteristics of a critical thinker? - Answer Willingness, insight, intuition, empathy
(WIIE)
What is the traditional problem-solving process (7 steps)? - Answer 1. Identify the problem.
2. Gather data to identify the causes and consequences of the problem.
,7. Evaluate results.
What is Harrison's managerial problem-solving model (7 steps)? - Answer 1. Set objective(s).
2. Identify the problem.
3. Search for alternatives.
4. Evaluate alternatives.
5. Choose alternative.
6. Implement solution.
7. Follow-up and control.
Managerial decision making model - Answer 1. Determine the decision and the desired
outcome (set objectives)
2. Research and identify options
3. Compare and contrast these options and their consequences
4. Make a decision
5. Implement an action plan
6. Evaluate results
Decision-making process and the nursing process - Answer PAGE 10, TABLE 1.1
IDEALS model - Answer Identify the problem
Define the context
Enumerate choices
Analyze options
List reasons explicitly
Self-correct
Intuitive decision-making model - Answer One consciously incorporates recall or cumulative
knowledge that come from education and experience in planning the decision.
What are 8 frequent errors made in decision making? - Answer 1. no clear objective or goal for
decision
, 6. using outcome only for evaluation
7. lack of self awareness
8. refusal to act
What are 5 critical steps in problem-solving and decision making? - Answer 1. Define the
objective clearly (set your goal bc that's what will lead you in the process you're going to take
forward)
2. Gather your data carefully - correct, accurate data. Facts can be misleading if taken out of
context (page 13: "Johnny hit me"; display 1.7). You always want evidence-based data (page 14:
evidence-based data).
3. Generate many alternatives. Brainstorm so that you can begin to think about more and more
alternatives (which will lead you to a more solid solution).
4. Think logically.
5. Choose a solution based on the data you have collected and analyzed, and act.
True or false: if the same decision/problem-solving models are used, all outcomes/decisions will
be the same - Answer False! People are not clones and everyone will have a unique
perspective on different situations which leads to unique outcomes and solutions.
What are 4 variations of decision making? - Answer a person's values, life experiences,
individual preferences, individual ways of thinking and decision making (e.g. right-brain thinkers
and left-brain thinkers)
right-brain thinking - Answer a type of divergent thinking that is intuitive, holistic, artistic, and
emotionally expressive
left-brain thinking - Answer logical, linear, and orderly thought; inductive or deductive
What are three types of decision making? - Answer 1. recurrent and routine problem solving
2. satisfying (administrative man)
3. maximizing or optimal mode (economic man)
Decision grid: - Answer common criteria; compare each on against a common criterion. E.g.
interviewing people for a job based on knowing what you want for the decision and seeing who
meets the criteria
Accurate Solved Solutions 2025-2026
Updated.
Define decision making: - Answer a complex cognitive process often defined as choosing a
particular course of action
making a selection and implementing a course of action from a group of alternatives
Define problem solving: - Answer a systematic process that focuses on analyzing a difficult
situation
an active process that starts with a problem and ends with a solution
Define critical thinking: - Answer purposeful, outcome-directed thinking that is based on a
body of knowledge derived from research and other sources of evidence
analyzing the way one thinks
What does critical thinking keep in mind? - Answer a goal or outcome
Why is critical thinking important for nurses (5 points)? - Answer information becomes
obsolete quickly, profession is complex, LIMITED # HOURS FOR THEORY AND CLINICAL IN
EDUCATION, information overload, conflicting responsibilities
What are the 6 cognitive skills for critical thinking? - Answer interpretation, analysis,
evaluation, inference, explanation, self-regulation
What are characteristics of a critical thinker? - Answer Willingness, insight, intuition, empathy
(WIIE)
What is the traditional problem-solving process (7 steps)? - Answer 1. Identify the problem.
2. Gather data to identify the causes and consequences of the problem.
,7. Evaluate results.
What is Harrison's managerial problem-solving model (7 steps)? - Answer 1. Set objective(s).
2. Identify the problem.
3. Search for alternatives.
4. Evaluate alternatives.
5. Choose alternative.
6. Implement solution.
7. Follow-up and control.
Managerial decision making model - Answer 1. Determine the decision and the desired
outcome (set objectives)
2. Research and identify options
3. Compare and contrast these options and their consequences
4. Make a decision
5. Implement an action plan
6. Evaluate results
Decision-making process and the nursing process - Answer PAGE 10, TABLE 1.1
IDEALS model - Answer Identify the problem
Define the context
Enumerate choices
Analyze options
List reasons explicitly
Self-correct
Intuitive decision-making model - Answer One consciously incorporates recall or cumulative
knowledge that come from education and experience in planning the decision.
What are 8 frequent errors made in decision making? - Answer 1. no clear objective or goal for
decision
, 6. using outcome only for evaluation
7. lack of self awareness
8. refusal to act
What are 5 critical steps in problem-solving and decision making? - Answer 1. Define the
objective clearly (set your goal bc that's what will lead you in the process you're going to take
forward)
2. Gather your data carefully - correct, accurate data. Facts can be misleading if taken out of
context (page 13: "Johnny hit me"; display 1.7). You always want evidence-based data (page 14:
evidence-based data).
3. Generate many alternatives. Brainstorm so that you can begin to think about more and more
alternatives (which will lead you to a more solid solution).
4. Think logically.
5. Choose a solution based on the data you have collected and analyzed, and act.
True or false: if the same decision/problem-solving models are used, all outcomes/decisions will
be the same - Answer False! People are not clones and everyone will have a unique
perspective on different situations which leads to unique outcomes and solutions.
What are 4 variations of decision making? - Answer a person's values, life experiences,
individual preferences, individual ways of thinking and decision making (e.g. right-brain thinkers
and left-brain thinkers)
right-brain thinking - Answer a type of divergent thinking that is intuitive, holistic, artistic, and
emotionally expressive
left-brain thinking - Answer logical, linear, and orderly thought; inductive or deductive
What are three types of decision making? - Answer 1. recurrent and routine problem solving
2. satisfying (administrative man)
3. maximizing or optimal mode (economic man)
Decision grid: - Answer common criteria; compare each on against a common criterion. E.g.
interviewing people for a job based on knowing what you want for the decision and seeing who
meets the criteria
