Chapter 15: Critical Thinking in Nursing PracticePotter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th EditionMULTIPLE

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, considers ethical principles, and makes informed decisions about the care of patients. Patient care can be provided in many ways. The use of 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. DIF: Understand (comprehension) REF: 196 | 205 OBJ: Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making clinical decisions. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care 2. 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 are available, as are medications for pain. 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 assigned patients and intervene accordingly. Pain is subjective. The nurse should offer painrelief 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 3. Which action indicates a registered nurse is being responsible for making clinical decisions? a. Applies clear textbook solutions to patients’ problems b. Takes immediate action when a patient’s condition worsens c. Uses only traditional methods of providing care to patients d. Formulates standardized care plans solely for groups of patients ANS: B This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :36:48 GMT -05:00 Registered 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. Most patients have health care problems for which there are no clear textbook solutions. Care plans should be individualized for each patient, not just for groups. DIF: Understand (comprehension) REF: 195-196 OBJ: Discuss the nurse’s responsibility in making clinical decisions. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care 4. A charge nurse is supervising the care of a new nurse. Which action by a new nurse indicates the charge nurse needs to intervene?