Chapter 5- Introduction to the Nursing Process
Question 1 of 23
The nurse identifies the nursing process as the foundation of professional nursing
practice and can define it in which appropriate terms?
A complex process during which nurses think about their thinking
The process that allows nurses to collect essential data
The framework that nurses use to provide care
Thinking like a nurse in developing plans of care
The nursing process is the foundation of professional nursing practice. It is the
framework within which nurses provide care to patients in an organized and
effective manner. Paul describes critical thinking as a complex process during
which individuals think about their thinking to provide clarity and increase
precision and relevance in a specific situation while attempting to be fair and
consistent. Critical thinking using the nursing process allows nurses to collect
essential patient data, articulate the specific needs of individual patients, and
effectively communicate those needs, realistic goals, and customized
interventions with members of the health care team. Thinking like a nurse is
facilitated by nurses using the nursing process in the development of
individualized patient plans of care.
Question 2 of 23
The term nursing processwas first used in 1955. In 1973, the American Nurses
Association identified five specific steps of the process. The nurse knows which
essential step was added in 1991?
Outcome identification
Diagnosis
Assessment
Evaluation
The term nursing process was first used by Lydia Hall in 1955. In 1973, the
American Nurses Association (ANA) identified five specific steps of the
nursing process in its Standards of Clinical Practice (1991). These five steps
—assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—define
how professional nursing practice is conducted. Outcome identification was
added as an essential aspect of the nursing process by the ANA in 1991. Most
nursing professionals and educators recognize outcome identification as part of
the planning step of the traditional five-step nursing process.
, Question 3 of 23
Since the nursing process is cyclic rather than linear, the nurse knows that as an
individual patient’s condition changes the nurse should anticipate what concept?
Reflective thought is not necessary since issues tend to be repetitive.
The nurse’s thought processes do not have to vary.
Plans of care are easier to use and do not need modification.
The accuracy and effectiveness of thought processes must be considered.
The nursing process is cyclic rather than linear. As an individual patient’s
condition changes, so does the way a professional nurse thinks about that
patient’s needs, forcing modification of earlier plans of care. At each step of the
nursing process, nurses must consider the accuracy and effectiveness of their
thought process. This form of reflective thought is an essential aspect of critical
thinking. The evolutionary nature of the nursing process allows nurses to adjust
to changing patient needs. Plans of care must evolve as patients’ needs change.
Question 4 of 23
The charge nurse is discussing a patient’s care plan during a team meeting. The team
determines that the patient has not met the goal of “ambulating to the nurse’s station
twice a day” and decides to revise the plan. The nurse recognizes which characteristic
of the nursing process most represents this decision?
Dynamics
Outcome oriented
Organization
Adaptability
The nursing process is designed to achieve specific, well-defined outcomes.
Patient care plans are developed to meet each patient’s goals, not the goals of
standardized patients or members of the health care team, including the nurse.
Decisions regarding which nursing interventions and medical treatments to
implement are made on the basis of safety and their effectiveness in meeting a
patient’s identified needs and desired outcomes. The dynamic, responsive
nature of the nursing process allows it to be used effectively with patients in
any setting and at every level of care. The plan of care is individualized for the
patient on the basis of assessment findings, changing needs, setting, and timing
of interaction, not just outcomes. Following the steps of the nursing process
ensures that patient care is well organized and thorough. The nursing process is
adaptable for developing plans of care for individuals who are hospitalized or
are receiving care in an outpatient, long-term care, or home setting. It is an
equally useful method for addressing the needs of a specific population.
Question 1 of 23
The nurse identifies the nursing process as the foundation of professional nursing
practice and can define it in which appropriate terms?
A complex process during which nurses think about their thinking
The process that allows nurses to collect essential data
The framework that nurses use to provide care
Thinking like a nurse in developing plans of care
The nursing process is the foundation of professional nursing practice. It is the
framework within which nurses provide care to patients in an organized and
effective manner. Paul describes critical thinking as a complex process during
which individuals think about their thinking to provide clarity and increase
precision and relevance in a specific situation while attempting to be fair and
consistent. Critical thinking using the nursing process allows nurses to collect
essential patient data, articulate the specific needs of individual patients, and
effectively communicate those needs, realistic goals, and customized
interventions with members of the health care team. Thinking like a nurse is
facilitated by nurses using the nursing process in the development of
individualized patient plans of care.
Question 2 of 23
The term nursing processwas first used in 1955. In 1973, the American Nurses
Association identified five specific steps of the process. The nurse knows which
essential step was added in 1991?
Outcome identification
Diagnosis
Assessment
Evaluation
The term nursing process was first used by Lydia Hall in 1955. In 1973, the
American Nurses Association (ANA) identified five specific steps of the
nursing process in its Standards of Clinical Practice (1991). These five steps
—assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—define
how professional nursing practice is conducted. Outcome identification was
added as an essential aspect of the nursing process by the ANA in 1991. Most
nursing professionals and educators recognize outcome identification as part of
the planning step of the traditional five-step nursing process.
, Question 3 of 23
Since the nursing process is cyclic rather than linear, the nurse knows that as an
individual patient’s condition changes the nurse should anticipate what concept?
Reflective thought is not necessary since issues tend to be repetitive.
The nurse’s thought processes do not have to vary.
Plans of care are easier to use and do not need modification.
The accuracy and effectiveness of thought processes must be considered.
The nursing process is cyclic rather than linear. As an individual patient’s
condition changes, so does the way a professional nurse thinks about that
patient’s needs, forcing modification of earlier plans of care. At each step of the
nursing process, nurses must consider the accuracy and effectiveness of their
thought process. This form of reflective thought is an essential aspect of critical
thinking. The evolutionary nature of the nursing process allows nurses to adjust
to changing patient needs. Plans of care must evolve as patients’ needs change.
Question 4 of 23
The charge nurse is discussing a patient’s care plan during a team meeting. The team
determines that the patient has not met the goal of “ambulating to the nurse’s station
twice a day” and decides to revise the plan. The nurse recognizes which characteristic
of the nursing process most represents this decision?
Dynamics
Outcome oriented
Organization
Adaptability
The nursing process is designed to achieve specific, well-defined outcomes.
Patient care plans are developed to meet each patient’s goals, not the goals of
standardized patients or members of the health care team, including the nurse.
Decisions regarding which nursing interventions and medical treatments to
implement are made on the basis of safety and their effectiveness in meeting a
patient’s identified needs and desired outcomes. The dynamic, responsive
nature of the nursing process allows it to be used effectively with patients in
any setting and at every level of care. The plan of care is individualized for the
patient on the basis of assessment findings, changing needs, setting, and timing
of interaction, not just outcomes. Following the steps of the nursing process
ensures that patient care is well organized and thorough. The nursing process is
adaptable for developing plans of care for individuals who are hospitalized or
are receiving care in an outpatient, long-term care, or home setting. It is an
equally useful method for addressing the needs of a specific population.
