Chapter 15: Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice
Exam Questions and Correct Answer
1. Critical thinking characteristics include
a. Considering what is important in a given situation.
b. Accepting one, established way to provide patient care.
c. Making decisions based on intuition.
d. Being able to read and follow physician's orders. correct answer: ANS
correct answer: A
Critical thinking involves being able to decipher what is relevant and important in a given situation and
to make a clinical decision based on that importance. Patient care can be provided in many ways. Clinical
decisions should be based on evidence and research. Following physician's orders is not considered a
critical thinking skill.
2. Which of these patient scenarios is most indicative of critical thinking?
a. Administering pain relief medication according to what was given last
shift
b. Asking a patient what pain relief methods, pharmacological and
nonphar- macological, have worked in the past
c. Offering pain relief medication based on physician orders
d. Explaining to the patient that his reports of severe pain are not
consistent with the minor procedure that was performed correct
answer: ANS correct answer: B
Asking the patient what pain relief methods have worked in the past is an example of exploring many
options for pain relief. 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 his/her patient and intervene accordingly. Nonpharmacological pain relief methods are available,
as are medications for pain. Pain is subjective. The nurse should otter pain relief methods based on the
patient's reports without being judgmental
3. Professional nurses are responsible for making clinical decisions to
a. Prove traditional methods of providing nursing care to patients.
b. Take immediate action when a patient's condition worsens.
c. Apply clear textbook solutions to patients' problems.
1/
12
, d. Formulate standardized care plans for groups of patients correct answer:
ANS correct answer: B
Professional 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.
Clear textbooks solutions to patient problems are not always available. Care plans should be
individualized.
4. The nurse needs a reminder of professional responsibility when
performing which of these
actions?
2/
12
Exam Questions and Correct Answer
1. Critical thinking characteristics include
a. Considering what is important in a given situation.
b. Accepting one, established way to provide patient care.
c. Making decisions based on intuition.
d. Being able to read and follow physician's orders. correct answer: ANS
correct answer: A
Critical thinking involves being able to decipher what is relevant and important in a given situation and
to make a clinical decision based on that importance. Patient care can be provided in many ways. Clinical
decisions should be based on evidence and research. Following physician's orders is not considered a
critical thinking skill.
2. Which of these patient scenarios is most indicative of critical thinking?
a. Administering pain relief medication according to what was given last
shift
b. Asking a patient what pain relief methods, pharmacological and
nonphar- macological, have worked in the past
c. Offering pain relief medication based on physician orders
d. Explaining to the patient that his reports of severe pain are not
consistent with the minor procedure that was performed correct
answer: ANS correct answer: B
Asking the patient what pain relief methods have worked in the past is an example of exploring many
options for pain relief. 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 his/her patient and intervene accordingly. Nonpharmacological pain relief methods are available,
as are medications for pain. Pain is subjective. The nurse should otter pain relief methods based on the
patient's reports without being judgmental
3. Professional nurses are responsible for making clinical decisions to
a. Prove traditional methods of providing nursing care to patients.
b. Take immediate action when a patient's condition worsens.
c. Apply clear textbook solutions to patients' problems.
1/
12
, d. Formulate standardized care plans for groups of patients correct answer:
ANS correct answer: B
Professional 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.
Clear textbooks solutions to patient problems are not always available. Care plans should be
individualized.
4. The nurse needs a reminder of professional responsibility when
performing which of these
actions?
2/
12
