Exam 8: Critical Thinking

The nurse inappropriately assumed that the patient did not require pain medication due to a history of substance abuse.Which critical thinking concept did the nurse fail to use?

The nurse asks another nurse for assistance when trying to determine the best way to manage a postoperative patient's pain.Which critical thinking attitude is demonstrated by the nurse?

Which statement is true about critical thinking?

The nurse becomes very skilled at feeding patients with dysphagia after working on a rehabilitation unit for many years.Which component of critical thinking allows the nurse to function at this high level of practice?

In a facility with an outbreak of Clostridium difficile,the nurse manager determines that staff members are continuing to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when caring for patients with Clostridium difficile infection despite the policy which requires hand hygiene using soap and water.Which step of the scientific method was performed by the nurse manager?

Which action by the nurse demonstrates the use of fairness for critical thinking?

Which action of the nurse demonstrates clinical decision making?

The nurse carefully performs a careful physical assessment and health history for the patient,making sure not to miss any body systems.Which attitude for critical thinking is demonstrated by the nurse?

The nurse readily accepts an opportunity to become certified in wound care and ostomy management.Which critical thinking concept is demonstrated by the nurse?

The nurse suspects that a patient is being abused by the spouse based on the presence of many unexplained bruises and the nonverbal behavior of the patient.Which critical thinking technique was used by the nurse?

Which patient's need constitutes the highest priority for the nurse?

The nurse feels strongly that the patient may be suffering from physical abuse.The nurse reports the situation to protective services even though the physician insists that the patient is simply accident-prone.Which component of critical thinking leads the nurse to file the report even though the physician believes it is not needed?

The nurse implements interventions to address risk for falls after noting that the patient is unsteady when getting out of bed.The nurse is using which skill in this situation?

The experienced trauma nurse determines that the patient may have suffered a cervical spinal cord injury as the patient is unable to feel or move the arms or legs.Which term best describes the nurse's ability to make this conclusion?

Which action by the nurse best demonstrates independent thinking?

The nurse noted a rise in skin infections on the nursing unit.After a literature review was completed,a new bathing protocol using disposable wash basins and pH balanced skin cleansers was suggested.Which steps of the scientific process were used by the nurse?

A nurse uses personal experience as well as knowledge of body mechanics and medical equipment in order to determine the safest way to transfer the paraplegic patient from the bed to the wheelchair.Which critical thinking concept is demonstrated by the nurse?

The nurse comes up with creative methods to help soothe agitated patients with dementia when the usual approaches fail.Which term best describes the action of the nurse?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is having severe pain despite regular doses of narcotic pain medication.The nurse suspects that the patient may be experiencing neuropathy and obtains an order for gabapentin which relieves the patient's pain.Which term most accurately describes the action of the nurse?

The new nurse keeps a diary to record experiences,patient encounters,and feelings when beginning work in the nursing profession.Which critical thinking action is used by the nurse?