Potter and Perry Fund of Nursing
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Clinical
Judgement Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
Which action should the nurse take when using critical thinking to
make clinical decisions?
a. Makes decisions based on intuition.
b. Accepts one established way to provide care.
c. Considers what is important in any given situation.
d. Reads and follows the heath care provider's orders. -
correct answer ✅c. Considers what is important in any given
situation.
Rationale: A critical thinker considers what is important in each
clinical situation, imagines and explores alternatives, considers
ethical principles, and makes informed decisions about thecare of
patients. Patient care can be provided in many ways. theuse of
evidence-based knowledge, or knowledge based on research or
clinical expertise, makes you an informed critical thinker. Following
health care provider's orders is not considered a critical thinking
skill. If your knowledge causes you to question a health care
provider's order, do so.
,Potter and Perry Fund of Nursing
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Clinical
Judgement Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
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 -
correct answer ✅c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods,
pharmacological and nonpharmacological, have worked in the past
Rationale: 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
, Potter and Perry Fund of Nursing
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Clinical
Judgement Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
should offer pain relief methods based on the patient's reports
without being judgmental.
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.
-
correct answer ✅b. Takes immediate action when a patient's
condition worsens.
Rationale: 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.
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Clinical
Judgement Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
Which action should the nurse take when using critical thinking to
make clinical decisions?
a. Makes decisions based on intuition.
b. Accepts one established way to provide care.
c. Considers what is important in any given situation.
d. Reads and follows the heath care provider's orders. -
correct answer ✅c. Considers what is important in any given
situation.
Rationale: A critical thinker considers what is important in each
clinical situation, imagines and explores alternatives, considers
ethical principles, and makes informed decisions about thecare of
patients. Patient care can be provided in many ways. theuse of
evidence-based knowledge, or knowledge based on research or
clinical expertise, makes you an informed critical thinker. Following
health care provider's orders is not considered a critical thinking
skill. If your knowledge causes you to question a health care
provider's order, do so.
,Potter and Perry Fund of Nursing
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Clinical
Judgement Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
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 -
correct answer ✅c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods,
pharmacological and nonpharmacological, have worked in the past
Rationale: 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
, Potter and Perry Fund of Nursing
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Clinical
Judgement Exam Questions and
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
should offer pain relief methods based on the patient's reports
without being judgmental.
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.
-
correct answer ✅b. Takes immediate action when a patient's
condition worsens.
Rationale: 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.
