Chapter 2. Critical Thinking & the Nursing Process

Chapter 2. Critical Thinking & the Nursing Process

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

Multiple Choice

Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

 

____    1.         Which of the following characteristics do the various definitions of critical thinking have in common? Critical thinking

1)

Requires reasoned thought

2)

Asks the questions “why?” or “how?”

3)

Is a hierarchical process

4)

Demands specialized thinking skills

 

ANS:   1

The definitions listed in the text as well as definitions in Box 2-1 state that critical thinking requires reasoning or reasoned thinking. Critical thinking is neither linear nor hierarchical. That means that the steps involved in critical thinking are not necessarily sequential, where mastery of one step is necessary to proceed to the next. Critical thinking is a purposeful, dynamic, analytic process that contributes to reasoned decisions and sound contextual judgments.

 

PTS:    1          DIF:    Moderate         REF:    p. 25; high-level question, answer not stated verbatim

KEY:   Nursing process: N/A | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Analysis

 

 

 

____    2.         A few nurses on a unit have proposed to the nurse manager that the process for documenting care on the unit be changed. They have described a completely new system. Why is it important for the nurse manager to have a critical attitude? It will help the manager to

1)

Consider all the possible advantages and disadvantages

2)

Maintain an open mind about the proposed change

3)

Apply the nursing process to the situation

4)

Make a decision based on past experience with documentation

 

ANS:   2

A critical attitude enables the person to think fairly and keep an open mind.

 

PTS:    1          DIF:    Moderate         REF:    pp. 26

KEY:   Nursing process: N/A | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Comprehension

 

 

 

____    3.         The nurse has just been assigned to the clinical care of a newly admitted patient. To know how to best care for the patient, the nurse uses the nursing process. Which step would the nurse probably do first?

1)

Assessment

2)

Diagnosis

3)

Plan outcomes

4)

Plan interventions

 

ANS:   1

Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. The nursing diagnosis is derived from the data gathered during assessment, outcomes from the diagnosis, and interventions from the outcomes.

 

PTS:    1          DIF:    Easy    REF:    p. 30-31

KEY:   Nursing process: Assessment | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Application

 

 

 

____    4.         Which of the following is an example of theoretical knowledge?

1)

A nurse uses sterile technique to catheterize a patient.

2)

Room air has an oxygen concentration of 21%.

3)

Glucose monitoring machines should be calibrated daily.

4)

An irregular apical heart rate should be compared with the radial pulse.

 

ANS:   2

Theoretical knowledge consists of research findings, facts, principles, and theories. The oxygen concentration of room air is a scientific fact. The others are examples of practical knowledge—what to do and how to do it.

 

PTS:    1          DIF:    Moderate         REF:    p. 30; high-level question, answer not stated verbatim

KEY:   Nursing process: N/A | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Application

 

 

 

____    5.         Which of the following is an example of practical knowledge? (Assume all are true.)

1)

The tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and ventricle of the heart.

2)

The pancreas does not produce enough insulin in type 1 diabetes.

3)

When assessing the abdomen, you should auscultate before palpating.

4)

Research shows pain medication given intravenously acts faster than by other routes.

 

ANS:   3

Practical knowledge is knowing what to do and how to do it, such as how to do an assessment. The others are examples of theoretical knowledge, anatomy (tricuspid valve), fact (type 1 diabetes), and research (IV pain medication).

 

PTS:    1          DIF:    Moderate         REF:    p. 30; high-level question, answer not stated verbatim

KEY:   Nursing process: N/A | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Application