CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice
1. Which action should the nurse
take when using critical thinking
to make clinical decisions?
a. Make decisions based on intuition.
b. Accept one established way to provide care.
c. Consider what is important in a given situation.
d. Read and follow the heath care provider’s orders.
ANS: C
A critical thinker considers what is important in each clinical situation, imagines and
explores alternatives, con- siders ethical principles, and makes informed decisions
about the care of patients. Patient care can be provid- ed in many ways. The use of
, CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
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.
, CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:196 | 205
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making
clinical decisions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
1. 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
ANS: C
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
, CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
are available, as are medications for pain. Administer- ing 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 should offer pain-relief methods based on
the patient’s reports without being judgmental.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:202 | 205
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making
clinical decisions. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic
Care and Comfort
2. Which action indicates a registered nurse is being responsible for making clinical
decisions?
a. Applies clear textbook solutions to patients’ problems
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice
1. Which action should the nurse
take when using critical thinking
to make clinical decisions?
a. Make decisions based on intuition.
b. Accept one established way to provide care.
c. Consider what is important in a given situation.
d. Read and follow the heath care provider’s orders.
ANS: C
A critical thinker considers what is important in each clinical situation, imagines and
explores alternatives, con- siders ethical principles, and makes informed decisions
about the care of patients. Patient care can be provid- ed in many ways. The use of
, CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
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.
, CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:196 | 205
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making
clinical decisions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
1. 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
ANS: C
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
, CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM Q & A
are available, as are medications for pain. Administer- ing 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 should offer pain-relief methods based on
the patient’s reports without being judgmental.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:202 | 205
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making
clinical decisions. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic
Care and Comfort
2. Which action indicates a registered nurse is being responsible for making clinical
decisions?
a. Applies clear textbook solutions to patients’ problems
