NURSING PROCESS:
For a good grade
A-Assessment
D-Diagnose
P-Planning
I-Implement
E-Evaluate
Critical thinking- the process of intentional higher level thinking to define a client’s problem.,
examine the evidence based practice in caring for a patient, and make choices in the delivery in
care.
Clinical reasoning- the cognitive process that uses thinking strategies to gather and analyze
client information, evaluate the relevance of the information, and decide on possible nursing
actions to improve client’s physiological and psychosocial outcomes.
Critical thinking involves the differentiation of statements of fact, judgment, and opinion.
Alfaro-Lefevre 4 circle critical thinking model:
1.) CT Characteristics- develop a critical thinking character- hold yourself to high standards,
honesty, fair-mindedness, creativity, patience, and confidence
2.) Theoretical/experimental/intellectual- seek out new learning experiences to gain new
knowledge. Practice intellectual skills such as assessing systematically,
3.) Interpersonal- teamwork, resolving conflict, and being an advocate. Don’t be “too nice”
, 4.) Technical skills- practice related technical skills until they become like second nature.
Until these skills become second nature, they are a brain drain on what nurses need to
be focusing on.
Nurses use critical thinking in various ways:
-nurses use knowledge from other subject and fields
-nurses deal with change in stressful environments
-nurses make important decisions
inductive reasoning- generalizations are formed from a set of facts or observations
deductive reasoning- reasoning from general premise to the specific conclusion.
Facts- can be verified through investigation
Inferences- conclusions drawn from the facts; going beyond the facts to make a statement
about something not currently known
Judgments- evaluation of facts or information that reflects values or other criteria; a type of
opinion
Opinions- beliefs formed over time; include judgments that may fit facts or be erroneous.
Nursing process- a systematic, rational method of planning and providing individualized nursing
care
Nursing care is prioritized based on ABCs and Maslow’s needs.
Concept mapping- techniques that uses a graphic depiction of nonlinear and linear relationships
to represent critical thinking.
Overview of the nursing process:
1.) Assessing- collecting, organizing, validating, and documenting client data. Health history,
physical assessment, review of records, etc.
2.) Diagnosing- analyzing and synthesizing data. To identify client’s strengths and health
problems that can be prevented or resolved by collaborative and independent nursing
interventions. To develop a list of nursing and collaborative problems
3.) Planning- determining how to prevent, reduce, or resolve the identified priority client
problems; how to support client strengths, and how to implement nursing interventions
in an organized, individualized, and goal directed manor- develop care plan\
4.) Implementation- carrying out (or delegating) and documenting the planned nursing
interventions
5.) Evaluating- measuring the degree to which goals/outcomes have been achieved and
identifying factors that positively or negatively influence goal achievement. - determine
whether to continue, modify, or terminate the plan of care.
Nursing process is cyclical.