2026/2027
Definition of Nursing
According to the American Nurse's Association's (ANA) - Answers "The protection, promotion,
and optimization of health and abilities; prevention of illness and injury; alleviation of suffering
for the diagnosis and treatment of human response; and advocacy in the care of individuals,
families, communities, and populations"
The nursing profession requires you to use critical thinking to administer quality, ___ based, and
___centered care in a safe, prudent, and ___ manner - Answers 1) Evidence based
2) Patient centered care
3) Knowledgeable
Benner's 5 Stages of Nursing Proficiency - Answers 1. *Novice* (little background and limited
practical skills)
2. *Advanced beginner* (Marginally competent skills; uses theory and principles; difficulty
prioritizing)
3. *Competent practitioner* (Organized, has set goals, abstract thinking)
4. *Proficient practitioner* (Holistic view of patient; recognizes subtle changes; long-term goals)
5. *Expert practitioner* (Performs fluidly; grasps needs of patient automatically)
True or False
The ability to ask questions and to seek and examine information for answers and deeper
meaning is essential in critical thinking - Answers True
,Define Competence (a critical thinking skill) - Answers The ability to perform nursing skills
proficiently
Knowledge prepares a nurse to better ___ - Answers Anticipate and identify patient problems by
understanding their origin and nature
Intellectual standards provide ____ - Answers Guidelines for rational thought and decision
making that you apply during all steps of the nursing process
Reflective journaling involves ___ - Answers Keeping a written record of clinical experiences to
develop critical thinking and reflection to improve practice in the future
In deductive reasoning one analyzes ___ - Answers Facts and observations based on concepts,
then forms a conclusion and interprets the patient's condition with respect to those concepts
In inductive reasoning one reviews ___ - Answers A specific set of facts and observations about
a patient, forms generalizations, and then interprets the data and makes a conclusion about the
related pieces of evidence
Effective problem solving involves: - Answers Obtaining information that clarifies the nature of a
problem
Suggesting possible solutions
Trying the solution over time to ensure it is effective
What is the difference between a basic critical thinker and a complex critical thinker? - Answers
A *basic* critical thinker learns to accept the diverse opinions and values of experts
A *complex* critical thinkers begin to rely less on experts.
How can you gain new knowledge and raise questions about your practice? - Answers
Purposefully reflecting on a past situation and taking the time to review everything you
remember about it
Aspects of the Nursing Practice - Answers Offering skilled care
Advocating for patient's rights
, Teaching patients to manage their health
Supporting patients/caregivers
Helping patients navigate the system
Scope and standards of practice
What is a profession? - Answers A career/calling that requires specialized knowledge and
academic preparation (usually long and intensive)
Who defines the scope and standards of practice? - Answers American Nurses Association
(ANA) since 1960
Note: the standards of practice describe a competent level of behavior necessary for nurses to
know so they can provide high quality care
*Standards of Nursing Practice*
(According to the ANA) - Answers Assessment
Diagnosis
Outcomes Identification
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation