NURS 441 EXAM 3 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
what is the importance of critical thinking skills in the provision of safe and quality
care? - answer- -skillfully directing the thinking process and imposing intellectual
standards on elements of thought
-identifies essential skill for processing pt data
-inherent in making sound clinical judgments and safe patient care decisions
-integral role in clinical practice and nursing leadership and management
-systematically frames nurse leader and manager's thoughts, decisions, and actions
what are the elements of critical thinking? - answer- 1. problem, question, concern,
or issue being thought about
2. purpose/goal of thinking
3. frame of reference, point of view, or worldview the thinker holds
4. assumptions thinker holds true about issue or problem
5. central concepts, ideas, principles, and theories thinker uses in reasoning
6. evidence, data, or info provided to support claims thinker makes
7. interpretations, inferences, reasoning, and lines of formulated thought lead to
conclusions
8. implications and consequences follow from positions thinker holds on issue or
problem
what is interpretation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- clarifying data
and circumstances to determine meaning and significance
what is analysis (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- determining problem
or issue based on assessment data
what is inference (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- drawing conclusions
what is evaluation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- determining if
expected outcomes have or have not been met, and if outcomes have not been met,
explaining why
what is explanation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- justifying actions
with evidence
what is self-regulation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- examining one's
practice for strengths and weaknesses in critical thinking and promoting continuous
improvement
what is reactive thinking? - answer- -serves as an automatic or knee-jerk reaction to
situations
-leads to vague or inaccurate reasoning, sloppy, and superficial thinking, and poor
nursing practice
-often results in errors or ineffective decision making
, -restricts innovation and maintains status quo
what is reflective thinking? - answer- -deliberate thinking and understanding using
one's own personal experiences and knowledge
-assessing what is know, what needs to be known, and how to bridge gap b/t two
-requires thoughtful personal self-assessment, analysis, and synthesis of strengths
-forces one to step back, assess situation, and think about how to solve problem
-promotes shared decision making among staff
What is intuitive thinking? - answer- -instant understanding of knowledge without
supporting evidence and/or based upon a background of similar situations
-rejected by some because it is abstract and irrational
-used by nurses to assist assessment of situations
-result in nurse taking quick action in delivery of safe, effective patient care
what must nurse leaders and managers do to model critical thinking? - answer- -
pivotal role in helping staff enhance critical thinking skills
-be a role model for staff by being critical thinkers
-use reflective thinking to create sense of trust and safety on unit
-avoid reactive thinking
-articulate to staff the value and application of critical thinking
-encourage staff to analyze situations, challenge assumptions, explore alt options,
and embrace continuous improvement
what are the 5 steps in decision making? - answer- 1. gather information
2. analyze information and create alternatives
3. select a preferred alternative
4. implement
5. follow up on implementation
what is the relationship between the nursing process and decision making? -
answer- 1. Assessment= problem solve, make decisions, identify gaps in care, and
identify patterns and variances related to situation
2. Diagnosis (analysis)= support and enhance decision-making and document
issues/problems/trends ti determine plan
3. outcomes ID= develop a plan to address issues, problems, or trends
4. Planning= consider current statutes, rules, regulations, standards, and integration
of best practices
5. Implementation= initiate change and achieve desired outcomes
6. Evaluation= make or recommend changes to policies and procedures as needed
What is shared decision making? - answer- -related to pt care and work methods
-involves staff nurses in decisions about hiring, scheduling, and performance
evaluations
-empowers nurses to provide effective, efficient, safe, and compassionate quality
care
-positively impacts nurse satisfaction, nurse recruitment and retention, pt
satisfaction, and reduction of adverse events
what are the 4 steps in problem solving? - answer- 1. identify a problem
ANSWERS
what is the importance of critical thinking skills in the provision of safe and quality
care? - answer- -skillfully directing the thinking process and imposing intellectual
standards on elements of thought
-identifies essential skill for processing pt data
-inherent in making sound clinical judgments and safe patient care decisions
-integral role in clinical practice and nursing leadership and management
-systematically frames nurse leader and manager's thoughts, decisions, and actions
what are the elements of critical thinking? - answer- 1. problem, question, concern,
or issue being thought about
2. purpose/goal of thinking
3. frame of reference, point of view, or worldview the thinker holds
4. assumptions thinker holds true about issue or problem
5. central concepts, ideas, principles, and theories thinker uses in reasoning
6. evidence, data, or info provided to support claims thinker makes
7. interpretations, inferences, reasoning, and lines of formulated thought lead to
conclusions
8. implications and consequences follow from positions thinker holds on issue or
problem
what is interpretation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- clarifying data
and circumstances to determine meaning and significance
what is analysis (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- determining problem
or issue based on assessment data
what is inference (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- drawing conclusions
what is evaluation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- determining if
expected outcomes have or have not been met, and if outcomes have not been met,
explaining why
what is explanation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- justifying actions
with evidence
what is self-regulation (cognitive skill for critical thinking)? - answer- examining one's
practice for strengths and weaknesses in critical thinking and promoting continuous
improvement
what is reactive thinking? - answer- -serves as an automatic or knee-jerk reaction to
situations
-leads to vague or inaccurate reasoning, sloppy, and superficial thinking, and poor
nursing practice
-often results in errors or ineffective decision making
, -restricts innovation and maintains status quo
what is reflective thinking? - answer- -deliberate thinking and understanding using
one's own personal experiences and knowledge
-assessing what is know, what needs to be known, and how to bridge gap b/t two
-requires thoughtful personal self-assessment, analysis, and synthesis of strengths
-forces one to step back, assess situation, and think about how to solve problem
-promotes shared decision making among staff
What is intuitive thinking? - answer- -instant understanding of knowledge without
supporting evidence and/or based upon a background of similar situations
-rejected by some because it is abstract and irrational
-used by nurses to assist assessment of situations
-result in nurse taking quick action in delivery of safe, effective patient care
what must nurse leaders and managers do to model critical thinking? - answer- -
pivotal role in helping staff enhance critical thinking skills
-be a role model for staff by being critical thinkers
-use reflective thinking to create sense of trust and safety on unit
-avoid reactive thinking
-articulate to staff the value and application of critical thinking
-encourage staff to analyze situations, challenge assumptions, explore alt options,
and embrace continuous improvement
what are the 5 steps in decision making? - answer- 1. gather information
2. analyze information and create alternatives
3. select a preferred alternative
4. implement
5. follow up on implementation
what is the relationship between the nursing process and decision making? -
answer- 1. Assessment= problem solve, make decisions, identify gaps in care, and
identify patterns and variances related to situation
2. Diagnosis (analysis)= support and enhance decision-making and document
issues/problems/trends ti determine plan
3. outcomes ID= develop a plan to address issues, problems, or trends
4. Planning= consider current statutes, rules, regulations, standards, and integration
of best practices
5. Implementation= initiate change and achieve desired outcomes
6. Evaluation= make or recommend changes to policies and procedures as needed
What is shared decision making? - answer- -related to pt care and work methods
-involves staff nurses in decisions about hiring, scheduling, and performance
evaluations
-empowers nurses to provide effective, efficient, safe, and compassionate quality
care
-positively impacts nurse satisfaction, nurse recruitment and retention, pt
satisfaction, and reduction of adverse events
what are the 4 steps in problem solving? - answer- 1. identify a problem
