examples of critical thinking as a cna

What is Critical Thinking in Nursing? (With Examples, Importance, & How to Improve)

Successful nursing requires learning several skills used to communicate with patients, families, and healthcare teams. One of the most essential skills nurses must develop is the ability to demonstrate critical thinking. If you are a nurse, perhaps you have asked if there is a way to know how to improve critical thinking in nursing? As you read this article, you will learn what critical thinking in nursing is and why it is important. You will also find 18 simple tips to improve critical thinking in nursing and sample scenarios about how to apply critical thinking in your nursing career.

What Is Critical Thinking In Nursing?

4 reasons why critical thinking is so important in nursing, 1. critical thinking skills will help you anticipate and understand changes in your patient’s condition., 2. with strong critical thinking skills, you can make decisions about patient care that is most favorable for the patient and intended outcomes., 3. strong critical thinking skills in nursing can contribute to innovative improvements and professional development., 4. critical thinking skills in nursing contribute to rational decision-making, which improves patient outcomes., what are the 8 important attributes of excellent critical thinking in nursing, 1. the ability to interpret information:, 2. independent thought:, 3. impartiality:, 4. intuition:, 5. problem solving:, 6. flexibility:, 7. perseverance:, 8. integrity:, examples of poor critical thinking vs excellent critical thinking in nursing, 1. scenario: patient/caregiver interactions, poor critical thinking:, excellent critical thinking:, 2. scenario: improving patient care quality, 3. scenario: interdisciplinary collaboration, 4. scenario: precepting nursing students and other nurses, how to improve critical thinking in nursing, 1. demonstrate open-mindedness., 2. practice self-awareness., 3. avoid judgment., 4. eliminate personal biases., 5. do not be afraid to ask questions., 6. find an experienced mentor., 7. join professional nursing organizations., 8. establish a routine of self-reflection., 9. utilize the chain of command., 10. determine the significance of data and decide if it is sufficient for decision-making., 11. volunteer for leadership positions or opportunities., 12. use previous facts and experiences to help develop stronger critical thinking skills in nursing., 13. establish priorities., 14. trust your knowledge and be confident in your abilities., 15. be curious about everything., 16. practice fair-mindedness., 17. learn the value of intellectual humility., 18. never stop learning., 4 consequences of poor critical thinking in nursing, 1. the most significant risk associated with poor critical thinking in nursing is inadequate patient care., 2. failure to recognize changes in patient status:, 3. lack of effective critical thinking in nursing can impact the cost of healthcare., 4. lack of critical thinking skills in nursing can cause a breakdown in communication within the interdisciplinary team., useful resources to improve critical thinking in nursing, youtube videos, my final thoughts, frequently asked questions answered by our expert, 1. will lack of critical thinking impact my nursing career, 2. usually, how long does it take for a nurse to improve their critical thinking skills, 3. do all types of nurses require excellent critical thinking skills, 4. how can i assess my critical thinking skills in nursing.

• Ask relevant questions • Justify opinions • Address and evaluate multiple points of view • Explain assumptions and reasons related to your choice of patient care options

5. Can I Be a Nurse If I Cannot Think Critically?

The Value of Critical Thinking in Nursing

• How Nurses Use Critical Thinking
• How to Improve Critical Thinking
• Common Mistakes

Some experts describe a person’s ability to question belief systems, test previously held assumptions, and recognize ambiguity as evidence of critical thinking. Others identify specific skills that demonstrate critical thinking, such as the ability to identify problems and biases, infer and draw conclusions, and determine the relevance of information to a situation.

Nicholas McGowan, BSN, RN, CCRN, has been a critical care nurse for 10 years in neurological trauma nursing and cardiovascular and surgical intensive care. He defines critical thinking as “necessary for problem-solving and decision-making by healthcare providers. It is a process where people use a logical process to gather information and take purposeful action based on their evaluation.”

“This cognitive process is vital for excellent patient outcomes because it requires that nurses make clinical decisions utilizing a variety of different lenses, such as fairness, ethics, and evidence-based practice,” he says.

How Do Nurses Use Critical Thinking?

Successful nurses think beyond their assigned tasks to deliver excellent care for their patients. For example, a nurse might be tasked with changing a wound dressing, delivering medications, and monitoring vital signs during a shift. However, it requires critical thinking skills to understand how a difference in the wound may affect blood pressure and temperature and when those changes may require immediate medical intervention.

Nurses care for many patients during their shifts. Strong critical thinking skills are crucial when juggling various tasks so patient safety and care are not compromised.

Jenna Liphart Rhoads, Ph.D., RN, is a nurse educator with a clinical background in surgical-trauma adult critical care, where critical thinking and action were essential to the safety of her patients. She talks about examples of critical thinking in a healthcare environment, saying:

“Nurses must also critically think to determine which patient to see first, which medications to pass first, and the order in which to organize their day caring for patients. Patient conditions and environments are continually in flux, therefore nurses must constantly be evaluating and re-evaluating information they gather (assess) to keep their patients safe.”

The COVID-19 pandemic created hospital care situations where critical thinking was essential. It was expected of the nurses on the general floor and in intensive care units. Crystal Slaughter is an advanced practice nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) and a nurse educator. She observed critical thinking throughout the pandemic as she watched intensive care nurses test the boundaries of previously held beliefs and master providing excellent care while preserving resources.

“Nurses are at the patient’s bedside and are often the first ones to detect issues. Then, the nurse needs to gather the appropriate subjective and objective data from the patient in order to frame a concise problem statement or question for the physician or advanced practice provider,” she explains.

Top 5 Ways Nurses Can Improve Critical Thinking Skills

We asked our experts for the top five strategies nurses can use to purposefully improve their critical thinking skills.

Case-Based Approach

Slaughter is a fan of the case-based approach to learning critical thinking skills.

In much the same way a detective would approach a mystery, she mentors her students to ask questions about the situation that help determine the information they have and the information they need. “What is going on? What information am I missing? Can I get that information? What does that information mean for the patient? How quickly do I need to act?”

Consider forming a group and working with a mentor who can guide you through case studies. This provides you with a learner-centered environment in which you can analyze data to reach conclusions and develop communication, analytical, and collaborative skills with your colleagues.

Practice Self-Reflection

Rhoads is an advocate for self-reflection. “Nurses should reflect upon what went well or did not go well in their workday and identify areas of improvement or situations in which they should have reached out for help.” Self-reflection is a form of personal analysis to observe and evaluate situations and how you responded.

This gives you the opportunity to discover mistakes you may have made and to establish new behavior patterns that may help you make better decisions. You likely already do this. For example, after a disagreement or contentious meeting, you may go over the conversation in your head and think about ways you could have responded.

It’s important to go through the decisions you made during your day and determine if you should have gotten more information before acting or if you could have asked better questions.

During self-reflection, you may try thinking about the problem in reverse. This may not give you an immediate answer, but can help you see the situation with fresh eyes and a new perspective. How would the outcome of the day be different if you planned the dressing change in reverse with the assumption you would find a wound infection? How does this information change your plan for the next dressing change?

Develop a Questioning Mind

McGowan has learned that “critical thinking is a self-driven process. It isn’t something that can simply be taught. Rather, it is something that you practice and cultivate with experience. To develop critical thinking skills, you have to be curious and inquisitive.”

To gain critical thinking skills, you must undergo a purposeful process of learning strategies and using them consistently so they become a habit. One of those strategies is developing a questioning mind. Meaningful questions lead to useful answers and are at the core of critical thinking .

However, learning to ask insightful questions is a skill you must develop. Faced with staff and nursing shortages , declining patient conditions, and a rising number of tasks to be completed, it may be difficult to do more than finish the task in front of you. Yet, questions drive active learning and train your brain to see the world differently and take nothing for granted.

It is easier to practice questioning in a non-stressful, quiet environment until it becomes a habit. Then, in the moment when your patient’s care depends on your ability to ask the right questions, you can be ready to rise to the occasion.

Practice Self-Awareness in the Moment

Critical thinking in nursing requires self-awareness and being present in the moment. During a hectic shift, it is easy to lose focus as you struggle to finish every task needed for your patients. Passing medication, changing dressings, and hanging intravenous lines all while trying to assess your patient’s mental and emotional status can affect your focus and how you manage stress as a nurse .

Staying present helps you to be proactive in your thinking and anticipate what might happen, such as bringing extra lubricant for a catheterization or extra gloves for a dressing change.

By staying present, you are also better able to practice active listening. This raises your assessment skills and gives you more information as a basis for your interventions and decisions.

Use a Process

As you are developing critical thinking skills, it can be helpful to use a process. For example:

• Ask questions.
• Gather information.
• Implement a strategy.
• Evaluate the results.
• Consider another point of view.

These are the fundamental steps of the nursing process (assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate). The last step will help you overcome one of the common problems of critical thinking in nursing — personal bias.

Common Critical Thinking Pitfalls in Nursing

Your brain uses a set of processes to make inferences about what’s happening around you. In some cases, your unreliable biases can lead you down the wrong path. McGowan places personal biases at the top of his list of common pitfalls to critical thinking in nursing.

“We all form biases based on our own experiences. However, nurses have to learn to separate their own biases from each patient encounter to avoid making false assumptions that may interfere with their care,” he says. Successful critical thinkers accept they have personal biases and learn to look out for them. Awareness of your biases is the first step to understanding if your personal bias is contributing to the wrong decision.

New nurses may be overwhelmed by the transition from academics to clinical practice, leading to a task-oriented mindset and a common new nurse mistake ; this conflicts with critical thinking skills.

“Consider a patient whose blood pressure is low but who also needs to take a blood pressure medication at a scheduled time. A task-oriented nurse may provide the medication without regard for the patient’s blood pressure because medication administration is a task that must be completed,” Slaughter says. “A nurse employing critical thinking skills would address the low blood pressure, review the patient’s blood pressure history and trends, and potentially call the physician to discuss whether medication should be withheld.”

Fear and pride may also stand in the way of developing critical thinking skills. Your belief system and worldview provide comfort and guidance, but this can impede your judgment when you are faced with an individual whose belief system or cultural practices are not the same as yours. Fear or pride may prevent you from pursuing a line of questioning that would benefit the patient. Nurses with strong critical thinking skills exhibit:

• Learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of other nurses
• Look forward to integrating changes that improve patient care
• Treat each patient interaction as a part of a whole
• Evaluate new events based on past knowledge and adjust decision-making as needed
• Solve problems with their colleagues
• Are self-confident
• Acknowledge biases and seek to ensure these do not impact patient care

An Essential Skill for All Nurses

Critical thinking in nursing protects patient health and contributes to professional development and career advancement. Administrative and clinical nursing leaders are required to have strong critical thinking skills to be successful in their positions.

By using the strategies in this guide during your daily life and in your nursing role, you can intentionally improve your critical thinking abilities and be rewarded with better patient outcomes and potential career advancement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Thinking in Nursing

How are critical thinking skills utilized in nursing practice.

Nursing practice utilizes critical thinking skills to provide the best care for patients. Often, the patient’s cause of pain or health issue is not immediately clear. Nursing professionals need to use their knowledge to determine what might be causing distress, collect vital information, and make quick decisions on how best to handle the situation.

How does nursing school develop critical thinking skills?

Nursing school gives students the knowledge professional nurses use to make important healthcare decisions for their patients. Students learn about diseases, anatomy, and physiology, and how to improve the patient’s overall well-being. Learners also participate in supervised clinical experiences, where they practice using their critical thinking skills to make decisions in professional settings.

Do only nurse managers use critical thinking?

Nurse managers certainly use critical thinking skills in their daily duties. But when working in a health setting, anyone giving care to patients uses their critical thinking skills. Everyone — including licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced nurse practitioners —needs to flex their critical thinking skills to make potentially life-saving decisions.

Meet Our Contributors

Crystal Slaughter, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNE

Crystal Slaughter is a core faculty member in Walden University’s RN-to-BSN program. She has worked as an advanced practice registered nurse with an intensivist/pulmonary service to provide care to hospitalized ICU patients and in inpatient palliative care. Slaughter’s clinical interests lie in nursing education and evidence-based practice initiatives to promote improving patient care.

Jenna Liphart Rhoads, Ph.D., RN

Jenna Liphart Rhoads is a nurse educator and freelance author and editor. She earned a BSN from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing and an MS in nursing education from Northern Illinois University. Rhoads earned a Ph.D. in education with a concentration in nursing education from Capella University where she researched the moderation effects of emotional intelligence on the relationship of stress and GPA in military veteran nursing students. Her clinical background includes surgical-trauma adult critical care, interventional radiology procedures, and conscious sedation in adult and pediatric populations.

Nicholas McGowan, BSN, RN, CCRN

Nicholas McGowan is a critical care nurse with 10 years of experience in cardiovascular, surgical intensive care, and neurological trauma nursing. McGowan also has a background in education, leadership, and public speaking. He is an online learner who builds on his foundation of critical care nursing, which he uses directly at the bedside where he still practices. In addition, McGowan hosts an online course at Critical Care Academy where he helps nurses achieve critical care (CCRN) certification.

Two Examples of How I Used Critical Thinking to Care for my Patient (Real Life Nursing Stories) | NURSING.com

What are you struggling with in nursing school?

NURSING.com is the BEST place to learn nursing. With over 2,000+ clear, concise, and visual lessons, there is something for you!

Critical Thinking on the Nursing Floor

Critical thinking can seem like such an abstract term that you don’t practically use. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Critical thinking is frequently used in nursing. Let me give you a few examples from my career in which critical thinking helped me take better care of my patient.

The truth is, that as nurses we can’t escape critical thinking . . . I know you hate the word . . . but let me show you how it actually works!

Critical Thinking in Nursing: Example 1

I had a patient that was scheduled to go to get a pacemaker placed at 0900. The physician wanted the patient to get 2 units of blood before going downstairs for the procedure. I administered it per protocol. About 30 minutes after that second unit got started, I noticed his oxygen went from 95% down to 92% down to 90%. I put 2L of O2 on him and it came up to 91%. But it just sort of hung around the low 90s on oxygen.

I stopped. And thought. What the heck is going on?

I looked at his history. Congestive heart failure.

I looked at his intake and output. He was positive 1.5 liters.

I thought about how he’s got extra fluid in general, and because of his CHF, he can’t really pump out the fluid he already has, let alone this additional fluid. Maybe I should listen to his lungs..

His lungs were clear earlier. I heard crackles throughout both lungs.

OK, so he’s got extra fluid that he can’t get out of his body. What do I know that will get rid of extra fluid and make him pee? Maybe some Lasix?

I ran over my thought process with a coworker before calling the doc. They agreed. I called the doc and before I could suggest anything, he said “Give him 20 mg IV Lasix one time, and I’ll put the order in.” CLICK.

I gave the Lasix. He peed like a racehorse (and was NOT happy with me for making that happen!). And he was off of oxygen before he went down to get his pacemaker.

Badda Bing Bada Boom!

Critical Thinking in Nursing: Example 2

My patient just had her right leg amputated above her knee. She was on a Dilaudid PCA and still complaining of awful pain. She maxed it out every time, still saying she was in horrible pain. She told the doctor when he rounded that morning that the meds weren’t doing anything. He added some oral opioids as well and wrote an order that it was okay for me to give both the oral and PCA dosings, with the goal of weaning off PCA.

“How am I going to do that?” I thought. She kept requiring more and more meds and I’m supposed to someone wean her off?

I asked her to describe her pain. She said it felt like nerve pain. Deep burning and tingling. She said the pain meds would just knock her out and she’d sleep for a little while but wake up in even worse pain. She was at the end of her rope.

I thought about nerve pain. I thought about other patients that report similar pain. Diabetics with neuropathy would talk about similar pain… “What did they do for it? ” I thought. Then I remembered that many of my patients with diabetic neuropathy were taking gabapentin daily for pain.

“So if this works for their nerve pain, could it work for a patient who has had an amputation?” I thought.

I called the PA for the surgeon and asked them what they thought about trying something like gabapentin for her pain after I described my patient’s type of pain and thought process.

“That’s a really good idea, Kati. I’ll write for it and we’ll see if we can get her off the opioids sooner. ”

She wrote for it. I gave it. It takes a few days to really kick in and once it did, the patient’s pain and discomfort were significantly reduced. She said to get rid of those other pain meds because they “didn’t do a damn thing,” and to “just give her that nerve pain pill because it’s the only thing that works”.

And that we did!

She was able to work with therapy more because her pain was tolerable and was finally able to get rest.

What the HELL is Critical Thinking . . . and Why Should I Care?

What your nursing professor won’t tell you about critical thinking .

by Ashely Adkins RN BSN

When I started nursing school, I remember thinking,   “how in the world am I going to remember all of this information, let alone be able to apply it and critically think?”   You are not alone if you feel like your critical thinking skills need a little bit of polishing.

Let’s step back for a moment, and take a walk down memory lane. It was my first semester of nursing school and I was sitting in my Fundamentals of Nursing course. We were learning about vital signs, assessments, labs, etc. Feeling overwhelmed with all of this new information (when are you   not   overwhelmed in nursing school?), I let my mind wonder to a low place…

Am I really cut out for this? Can I really do this? How can I possibly retain all of this information?  Do they really expect me to remember everything AND critically think at the same time?

One of my first-semester nursing professors said something to me that has stuck with me throughout my nursing years. It went a little something like this:

“Critical thinking does not develop overnight . It takes time. You don’t learn to talk overnight or walk overnight. You don’t   learn to critically think overnight .”

My professor was absolutely right.

As my journey throughout nursing school, and eventually on to being a “real nurse” continued, my critical thinking skills began to BLOSSOM. With every class, lecture, clinical shift, lab, and simulation, my critical thinking skills grew.

You may ask…how?

Well, let me tell you…

• Questioning

These are the key ingredients to growing your critical thinking skills.

Time.   Critical thinking takes time. As I mentioned before, you do not learn how to critically think overnight. It is important to set   realistic   expectations for yourself both in nursing school and in other aspects of your life.

Exposure.   It is next to impossible to critically think if you have never been exposed to something. How would you ever learn to talk if no one ever talked to you? The same thing applies to nursing and critical thinking.

Over time, your exposure to new materials and situations will cause you to think and ask yourself, “why?”

This leads me to my next point.   Questioning.   Do not be afraid to ask yourself…

“Why is this happening?”

“Why do I take a blood pressure and heart rate before I give a beta-blocker?”

“Why is it important to listen to a patient’s lung sounds before and after they receive a blood transfusion?”

It is important to constantly question yourself. Let your mind process your questions, and discover answers.

Confidence.   We always hear the phrase, “confidence is key!” And as cheesy as that phrase may be, it really holds true. So many times, we often times sell ourselves short.

YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU KNOW.

In case you did not catch it the first time…

Be confident in your knowledge, because trust me, it is there. It may be hiding in one single neuron in the back of your brain, but it is there.

It is impossible to know everything. Even experienced nurses do not know everything.

And if they tell you that they do…they are wrong!

The   key   to critical thinking is   not about knowing everything ; It is about   how you respond when you do not know something .

How do you reason through a problem you do not know the answer to? Do you give up? Or do you persevere until you discover the answer?

If you are a nursing student preparing for the NCLEX, you know that the NCLEX   loves   critical thinking questions. NRSNG has some great tips and advice on   critical thinking when it comes to taking the NCLEX .

There are so many pieces to the puzzle when it comes to nursing, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed. The beauty of nursing is when all of those puzzle pieces come together to form a beautiful picture.

That is critical thinking.

Critical thinking is something you’ll do every day as a nurse and honestly, you probably do it in your regular non-nurse life as well. It’s basically stopping, looking at a situation, identifying a solution, and trying it out. Critical thinking in nursing is just that but in a clinical setting.

We’ve written a MASSIVE lesson on Care Plans and Critical Thinking :

Mastering The COPD Nursing Care Plan in Just 10 Minutes!

Renal Failure Pt Care

4 "real world" examples of using clinical judgement to figure out what to do first as a nurse | nursing.com, 12 study tips for how to study for pharmacology in nursing school | nursing.com, similar blog posts.

Critical Thinking and Nursing Care Plans Go Together Like Chicken and Waffles | NURSING.com

Patients We Will Never Forget | NURSING.com

The Ultimate Guide to Creating an ICU Report Sheet (for new Critical Care Nurses and RN Students) | NURSING.com

15 Attitudes of Critical Thinking in Nursing (Explained W/ Examples)

Last updated on August 19th, 2023

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that nurses use to make informed decisions, provide top-notch care, and untangle complex problems.

Think of it as a toolbox filled with skills that let nurses dig deeper, understand better, and think smarter.

In this article, we’re going to explore the 15 super-important attitudes of critical thinking in nursing .

Each attitude is like a special key that helps nurses unlock the best care for their patients. Let’s dive in and learn about each attitude.

How To Improve Critical Thinking Skills In Nursing? 24 Strategies With Examples

15 Attitudes of Critical Thinking in Nursing

1. Independence

Independence is like thinking for yourself and making your own choices. Imagine you’re deciding what book to read, and you pick one that interests you, not just what others like – that’s being independent.

In nursing, independence means using your own judgment to provide the best care.

For, example, consider Rachel, a nurse, who considers various options to treat a patient’s pain, not just following what others do. Rachel’s independence helps her find solutions tailored to each patient’s needs.

 Just like choosing your own book, independent nurses think critically and make decisions based on what’s best for their patients.

2. Confidence

Confidence is like believing in yourself and your abilities, even when faced with challenges. Imagine you’re trying a new activity, and you trust that you can learn and do well – that’s having confidence.

In nursing, confidence means having faith in your skills and judgment to provide excellent care. Example: For instance, think of Ava, a nurse, who remains composed when a patient’s condition suddenly worsens.

She knows she can handle the situation because of her training and experience. Ava’s confidence allows her to make quick and effective decisions during critical moments.

Just like trusting yourself in a new activity, confident nurses trust their expertise to deliver top-notch care to their patients.

3. Fair-Mindedness

Fair-mindedness is like treating everyone equally and making judgments based on facts, not personal feelings. Imagine you’re playing a game, and you give every player the same chance to win – that’s being fair-minded.

In nursing, fair-mindedness means being impartial and considering all viewpoints without bias.

For example, picture Liam, a nurse, who listens to both the patient and the family when making a decision about treatment.

He doesn’t let his own opinions influence his judgment. Liam’s fair-mindedness ensures that he provides balanced and patient-focused care.

Just like being fair in a game, fair-minded nurses make decisions that are just and unbiased, promoting the best outcomes for their patients.

4. Insight into Personal Biases

Insight into personal biases is like looking at yourself from the outside to see if your own feelings might affect your decisions. Imagine you have a favorite color, and you realize you tend to choose things in that color even if other options might be better – that’s being aware of your bias.

In nursing, insight into personal biases means being mindful of your own preferences and not letting them cloud your judgment.

For instance, think of Maya, a nurse, who knows she might prefer a particular treatment because it worked for her family member.

However, she steps back and considers what’s truly best for her patient’s situation. Maya’s insight helps her provide care that’s unbiased and patient-centered.

Just like being aware of your color preference, insight into personal biases helps nurses make decisions that are based on what’s right for their patients, not influenced by their own feelings.

5. Intellectual Humility

Intellectual humility is like knowing that you don’t have all the answers and being open to learning from others. Imagine you’re playing a video game, and you ask a friend for tips because they’re better at it – that’s being humble about your skills.

In nursing, intellectual humility means recognizing that you can always learn more and considering others’ expertise.

Picture James, a nurse, who seeks advice from experienced colleagues when faced with a complex case.

He knows that learning from others can lead to better patient care. James’s intellectual humility helps him grow as a nurse and keeps him open to new perspectives.

Just like seeking gaming tips, intellectual humility encourages nurses to value knowledge from various sources and continuously improve their practice.

6. Intellectual Courage to Challenge the Norms

Intellectual courage to challenge the norms is like having the bravery to question things that everyone believes are true. Imagine you’re playing a game with your friends, and everyone agrees on the rules – but you speak up and suggest a new way to play.

In nursing, intellectual courage means daring to question established practices and seeking innovative solutions.

For instance, think of Sarah, a nurse, who notices that a routine procedure might be improved for patient comfort.

Instead of staying silent, she speaks up and proposes a change, backed by research and careful thought. Sarah’s intellectual courage drives her to challenge the status quo for the sake of better patient care.

Just like suggesting a new game rule, nurses with this attitude challenge norms to advance healthcare practices and outcomes.

7. Integrity

Integrity is like being honest and doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching. Imagine finding a lost wallet on the street – instead of keeping it, you return it to its owner because it’s the right thing to do.

In nursing, integrity means always acting ethically and responsibly, even in challenging situations.

Picture Emma, a nurse, who follows protocols and makes decisions based on what’s best for her patients, not personal gain.

 Emma’s integrity shines when she prioritizes honesty, fairness, and patient well-being in every action she takes.

Just like returning that wallet, integrity is a nurse’s commitment to uphold high moral standards and maintain the trust placed in them by patients and their families.

8. Perseverance

Perseverance is like having a never-give-up attitude, even when things get tough. Imagine you’re trying to solve a challenging puzzle – even if it takes time and effort, you keep going until you find the solution.

In nursing, perseverance means facing obstacles and difficulties head-on without giving up.

For example, consider Mark, a nurse, who’s dealing with a complex patient case. Despite encountering roadblocks and uncertainties, Mark doesn’t lose hope.

He keeps researching, consulting colleagues, and trying different approaches until he finds the right solution for his patient.

Just like working through a tough puzzle, perseverance empowers nurses to keep pushing forward and find the answers that lead to the best care outcomes.

9. Curiosity

Curiosity is like having a hunger for knowledge that never goes away. Imagine you’re exploring a new place, and every corner seems to hide something interesting – you want to know what’s around the next bend.

In nursing, curiosity means having a strong desire to learn and discover.

Picture Anna, a nurse, who’s always asking questions like “Why?” and “How?” She’s not content with just knowing the basics; she wants to dive deeper and understand the “whys” behind patient conditions and treatments.

Anna’s curiosity drives her to stay updated with the latest research and innovative methods. Just like an explorer seeking new horizons, curious nurses seek new ways to provide better care for their patients.

10. Open-Mindedness

Open-mindedness is like having a door in your mind that’s always ready to welcome new ideas. Imagine you’re reading a book, and suddenly you come across a different way of thinking – instead of dismissing it, you consider it with interest.

In nursing, open-mindedness means being willing to listen to various viewpoints and explore different approaches.

For instance, think of Rachel, a nurse, who’s used to a specific way of treating wounds. But when a colleague suggests a new method, Rachel doesn’t shut the idea down.

Instead, she’s open to trying it out and seeing if it might work better for her patients. Just like being curious about new stories, open-minded nurses are curious about new ways to improve patient care.

11. Skepticism

Skepticism is like being a curious investigator who asks questions to make sure things are true. Imagine you hear about a magical potion that promises to make you fly – you might be skeptical and ask, “Is that really possible?”

In nursing, skepticism means not accepting things blindly but investigating to find the truth.

Picture Sarah, a nurse, who reads about a new treatment for pain relief. Instead of immediately believing it, she looks for evidence and checks if other experts agree.

Sarah’s skepticism helps her make sure that the treatments she uses are safe and effective for her patients.

Just like asking questions about that magical potion, nurses use skepticism to make informed decisions based on facts.

12. Reflective Thinking

Reflective thinking is like looking back at your day and thinking about what went well and what you could improve. Imagine you finished playing a game and you think about how you did – that’s reflective thinking!

In nursing, it’s when nurses take a moment to think about their actions, decisions, and interactions with patients.

For example, let’s say Jessica, a nurse, had a challenging day where she had to juggle multiple tasks. At the end of her shift, she takes a few minutes to reflect.

She thinks about what she did right, like comforting a worried patient, and what she could do better, like managing her time more efficiently.

This reflection helps Jessica learn from her experiences and become an even better nurse.

Just like looking in a mirror to see yourself, reflective thinking helps nurses see their actions and grow from them.

13. Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle to see the bigger picture. It’s about thinking step by step to reach a smart conclusion.

Imagine you have a math problem to solve. You start with the information you know and use logical steps to find the answer.

Similarly, nurses use logical reasoning to understand their patients’ situations

Let’s say Emily, a nurse, has a patient with a high fever and a sore throat. She gathers information about the symptoms, asks questions, and puts all the clues together.

By using logical steps, Emily figures out that the patient might have a throat infection and can recommend the right treatment.

Just like solving a puzzle, logical reasoning helps nurses connect the dots and make decisions that make sense for their patient’s health.

14. Evidence-Based Decision Making

Evidence-based decision-making is like being a detective who gathers clues before solving a mystery.

For instance, imagine Alex, a nurse, who wants to find the best way to help patients with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

Instead of guessing, he reads research studies and talks to experts in the field. Alex uses the facts he collects to choose treatments that are proven to work.

Just like a detective uses evidence to solve a case, Alex uses evidence to make informed decisions that lead to better patient outcomes.

15. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is like being a detective on a mission. Think of it like when you have to figure out how to fix a broken toy.

For instance, Linda, a nurse, faces a challenge when a patient’s pain medication isn’t working well. Instead of giving up, she gathers information, talks to the patient, and works with the medical team to find a better solution.

Linda’s problem-solving skills help her piece together the right treatment plan, just like solving a tricky puzzle.

• What is Critical Thinking in Nursing? (Explained W/ Examples)
• What is the “5 Whys” Technique?
• What Are Socratic Questions?
• Clinical Reasoning In Nursing (Explained W/ Example)
• 8 Stages Of The Clinical Reasoning Cycle

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that nurses use every day. These 15 attitudes are like a treasure map that guides nurses through the world of healthcare.

From being independent thinkers to having the courage to challenge norms, these attitudes help nurses provide the best care possible.

Comments are closed.

Medical & Legal Disclaimer

All the contents on this site are for entertainment, informational, educational, and example purposes ONLY. These contents are not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or practice guidelines. However, we aim to publish precise and current information. By using any content on this website, you agree never to hold us legally liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. Read the  privacy policy  and  terms and conditions.

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

© 2024 nurseship.com. All rights reserved.

How to Teach Critical Thinking Skills for Nurse Aides

• Nursing Jobs
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

The Duties of a Remediation Teacher

How to 'ace' a preschool interview, why is teamwork important in the classroom.

• Beginning Salary for a Teacher According to State
• Training for Inexperienced Teachers

Critical thinking is the art of applying what is learned in the classroom to actual, real-life situations. Critical thinking skills are especially vital in the volatile healthcare field, and nurse aides benefit from specific training on the topic. Nurse aides must constantly make decisions about the types of care they are authorized to give. This includes assessing and meeting the needs of the patients in their care, and helping the RN, LPN or nurse practitioner they are assigned to. Teaching critical thinking skills to nurse aides involves encouraging them to make decisions, analyzing those decisions and discussing possible outcomes based on the care choices they make.

Focus on Outcomes

Design your lessons on critical thinking skills around what you want your students to learn. Instructors often focus on what they want to teach in a given lesson. To effectively teach critical thinking skills, focus on the “take away” from each lesson. For example, focus on what critical thinking skill you want them to learn about patient assessment and design your lesson to achieve that outcome. Help students envision an actual patient care situation. Guide them to make a decision based on the situation, follow through on that decision and analyze the outcome. Build the lesson around the skill rather than applying the lesson to several critical thinking skills at once.

Teacher Preparation

Thoughtful preparation will help you best guide students to develop their critical thinking skills. As you prepare your lesson plan, determine where critical thinking skills come into play. In some cases, critical thinking skills need to be addressed directly. But more often than not, these skills become a natural part of each lesson you teach as long as you are well-prepared. Highlighting places in your lesson that are opportunities to focus on a critical thinking skill will help you place emphasis on that area when you come to it. Prepare for these moments to make them a natural part of what you are teaching.

Group Learning

Nursing students often learn best in a group of peers. Place nurse aide students in a cooperative learning environment to solve problems, which will give them the opportunity to share ideas, process information and come to conclusions as a group. This group dynamic more closely replicates an actual working environment, especially in the healthcare field. Modeling this in your classroom helps prepare trainees for real-world situations and how to work best with others.

Real-Life Application

A large part of any nurse aide training program is on-the-job experience. Work with nurse aide supervisors to develop experiences that focus on both direct-care techniques and decision-making. Put trainees in teams of two for patient care whenever possible so that one student is always observing, analyzing and taking notes, while the other carries out the duties of the job. Bring students together after clinical hours and discuss the patients they worked with, what decisions were made, and other possible outcomes from their decisions. Analyzing students' actions and pointing them in the direction of better decision-making increases their confidence and encourages their use of critical-thinking skills.

• Healthcare Marketplace: Critical Thinking in Long-Term Care Nursing
• International Journal of Humanities and Social Science:Critical Thinking in Nursing Process and Education
• The Critical Thinking Community: Nursing and Healthcare

Patti Richards has been a writer since 1990. She writes children’s books and articles on parenting, women's health and education. Her credits include San Diego Family Magazine, Metro Parent Magazine, Boys' Quest Magazine and many others. Richards has a Bachelor of Science in English/secondary education from Welch College.

Related Articles

Difference between facilitators & teachers, strengths & qualities of an elementary teacher, an example of short term goals to becoming a nurse educator, what are the duties of a nurse educator, what skills knowledge & experiences are needed to become a teacher, how to pass the skills test on the cna exam, tips on becoming a successful teacher, personal goals & objectives for student teachers, math requirements to become a pharmacist, most popular.

• 1 Difference Between Facilitators & Teachers
• 2 Strengths & Qualities of an Elementary Teacher
• 3 An Example of Short Term Goals to Becoming a Nurse Educator
• 4 What Are the Duties of a Nurse Educator?

• Pre-Nursing
• Nursing School
• After Graduation

How to Apply Critical Thinking in Nursing

Harnessing the power of critical thinking can be the key to becoming a successful and competent nurse. 

Developing and refining your critical thinking skills is crucial as you embark on your nursing journey. By doing so, you’ll enhance your ability to provide high-quality care, advance your professional growth, and contribute to the ever-evolving nursing field.

What is critical thinking in nursing?

Critical thinking is an essential cognitive process that enables nurses to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to make informed decisions. In the context of nursing, it involves observing, interpreting, and responding to patient needs effectively. 

Critical thinking allows nurses to go beyond memorized facts and apply logical reasoning to address patient problems holistically.

As a nurse, you’ll encounter multifaceted healthcare scenarios, each presenting its unique challenges. Critical thinking enables you to approach these situations systematically, evaluate the available data, identify relevant factors, and understand the patient’s condition comprehensively.

By employing critical thinking skills, you can differentiate between urgent and non-urgent issues, prioritize care, anticipate potential complications, and adapt your interventions accordingly. This analytical approach helps minimize errors, promote patient safety, and achieve positive patient outcomes.

Why is critical thinking important in nursing?

Critical thinking serves as the backbone of nursing practice. You’ll encounter various uncertainties, changing conditions, and ethical dilemmas as a nurse. Developing critical thinking abilities empowers you to navigate these challenges confidently and provide optimal patient care.

In nursing, critical thinking is crucial for the following reasons:

• Enhanced Clinical Judgment: Critical thinking enables assessing complex situations, analyzing available information, and drawing logical conclusions. It enhances your clinical judgment, allowing you to make informed decisions based on the best available evidence and expert consensus.
• Effective Problem Solving: Nursing involves encountering problems and finding effective solutions. Critical thinking equips you with the tools to identify underlying issues, explore alternative options, and implement interventions that address the root cause of the problem.
• Patient Advocacy: Critical thinking empowers you to advocate for your patients’ needs. By actively engaging in critical inquiry, you can challenge assumptions, question policies, and promote patient-centered care.
• Adapting to Changing Environments: Healthcare is constantly evolving, with new research findings, technologies, and treatments emerging regularly. Developing critical thinking skills helps you adapt to these changes, ensuring you stay updated and deliver evidence-based care.

Examples of Critical Thinking in Nursing

Let’s dive into some real-life examples that highlight how critical thinking plays a crucial role in nursing practice:

• Prioritization: Imagine working in an emergency department where multiple patients arrive simultaneously with varying degrees of severity. Utilizing critical thinking, you can assess each patient’s condition, prioritize care based on the urgency of their needs, and allocate resources effectively.
• Medication Administration: When administering medication, critical thinking prompts you to cross-check the prescribed dose, assess potential drug interactions or allergies, and evaluate the patient’s response to the medication. This proactive approach ensures patient safety and minimizes medication errors.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Critical thinking helps you navigate complex ethical dilemmas by analyzing the values at stake, considering legal and ethical principles, and collaborating with the healthcare team to make decisions that align with the patient’s best interests.

Supplement Your Nursing Studies and Boost Your Grades

At SimpleNursing , we understand the significance of critical thinking in nursing education. Our comprehensive digital study tools are designed to enhance your critical thinking abilities, providing you with interactive case studies, practice questions, and simulated patient scenarios. 

Boost your confidence and excel in your nursing studies with SimpleNursing’s innovative study resources.

Sign up for a free trial and take your nursing study skills to new heights.

Want to ace Nursing School Exams & the NCLEX?

Make topics click with easy-to-understand videos & more. We've helped over 1,000,000 students & we can help you too.

Share this post

Nursing students trust simplenursing.

SimpleNursing Student Testimonial

Most recent posts.

Understanding the Next Gen NCLEX (NGN): What to Expect and Question Types

Jump to Sections What is the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)? Goals of the NGN What…

A Guide to NCLEX Accommodations for Test-Takers

If you require accommodations due to specific circumstances or conditions, understanding the process to gain…

Easy Way to Remember Blood Flow Through the Heart

It's the night before a big test. You've been studying for hours but still can't…

How to Accurately Measure on a Syringe

What’s one of the most important aspects of using a syringe correctly? The ability to…

Find what you are interested in

We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience, and to help us improve our website. By continuing to use this website, you accept our privacy policy .

• Student Login
• No-Cost Professional Certificates
• Call Us: 888-549-6755
• 888-559-6763
• Search site Search our site Search Now Close
• Request Info

Skip to Content (Press Enter)

Why Critical Thinking Skills in Nursing Matter (And What You Can Do to Develop Them)

By Hannah Meinke on 07/05/2021

The nursing profession tends to attract those who have natural nurturing abilities, a desire to help others, and a knack for science or anatomy. But there is another important skill that successful nurses share, and it's often overlooked: the ability to think critically.

Identifying a problem, determining the best solution and choosing the most effective method to solve the program are all parts of the critical thinking process. After executing the plan, critical thinkers reflect on the situation to figure out if it was effective and if it could have been done better. As you can see, critical thinking is a transferable skill that can be leveraged in several facets of your life.

But why is it so important for nurses to use? We spoke with several experts to learn why critical thinking skills in nursing are so crucial to the field, the patients and the success of a nurse. Keep reading to learn why and to see how you can improve this skill.

Why are critical thinking skills in nursing important?

You learn all sorts of practical skills in nursing school, like flawlessly dressing a wound, taking vitals like a pro or starting an IV without flinching. But without the ability to think clearly and make rational decisions, those skills alone won’t get you very far—you need to think critically as well.

“Nurses are faced with decision-making situations in patient care, and each decision they make impacts patient outcomes. Nursing critical thinking skills drive the decision-making process and impact the quality of care provided,” says Georgia Vest, DNP, RN and senior dean of nursing at the Rasmussen University School of Nursing.

For example, nurses often have to make triage decisions in the emergency room. With an overflow of patients and limited staff, they must evaluate which patients should be treated first. While they rely on their training to measure vital signs and level of consciousness, they must use critical thinking to analyze the consequences of delaying treatment in each case.

No matter which department they work in, nurses use critical thinking in their everyday routines. When you’re faced with decisions that could ultimately mean life or death, the ability to analyze a situation and come to a solution separates the good nurses from the great ones.

How are critical thinking skills acquired in nursing school?

Nursing school offers a multitude of material to master and upholds high expectations for your performance. But in order to learn in a way that will actually equip you to become an excellent nurse, you have to go beyond just memorizing terms. You need to apply an analytical mindset to understanding course material.

One way for students to begin implementing critical thinking is by applying the nursing process to their line of thought, according to Vest. The process includes five steps: assessment, diagnosis, outcomes/planning, implementation and evaluation.

“One of the fundamental principles for developing critical thinking is the nursing process,” Vest says. “It needs to be a lived experience in the learning environment.”

Nursing students often find that there are multiple correct solutions to a problem. The key to nursing is to select the “the most correct” solution—one that will be the most efficient and best fit for that particular situation. Using the nursing process, students can narrow down their options to select the best one.

When answering questions in class or on exams, challenge yourself to go beyond simply selecting an answer. Start to think about why that answer is correct and what the possible consequences might be. Simply memorizing the material won’t translate well into a real-life nursing setting.

How can you develop your critical thinking skills as a nurse?

As you know, learning doesn’t stop with graduation from nursing school. Good nurses continue to soak up knowledge and continually improve throughout their careers. Likewise, they can continue to build their critical thinking skills in the workplace with each shift.

“To improve your critical thinking, pick the brains of the experienced nurses around you to help you get the mindset,” suggests Eileen Sollars, RN ADN, AAS. Understanding how a seasoned nurse came to a conclusion will provide you with insights you may not have considered and help you develop your own approach.

The chain of command can also help nurses develop critical thinking skills in the workplace.

“Another aid in the development of critical thinking I cannot stress enough is the utilization of the chain of command,” Vest says. “In the chain of command, the nurse always reports up to the nurse manager and down to the patient care aide. Peers and fellow healthcare professionals are not in the chain of command. Clear understanding and proper utilization of the chain of command is essential in the workplace.”

How are critical thinking skills applied in nursing?

“Nurses use critical thinking in every single shift,” Sollars says. “Critical thinking in nursing is a paramount skill necessary in the care of your patients. Nowadays there is more emphasis on machines and technical aspects of nursing, but critical thinking plays an important role. You need it to understand and anticipate changes in your patient's condition.”

As a nurse, you will inevitably encounter a situation in which there are multiple solutions or treatments, and you'll be tasked with determining the solution that will provide the best possible outcome for your patient. You must be able to quickly and confidently assess situations and make the best care decision in each unique scenario. It is in situations like these that your critical thinking skills will direct your decision-making.

Do critical thinking skills matter more for nursing leadership and management positions?

While critical thinking skills are essential at every level of nursing, leadership and management positions require a new level of this ability.

When it comes to managing other nurses, working with hospital administration, and dealing with budgets, schedules or policies, critical thinking can make the difference between a smooth-running or struggling department. At the leadership level, nurses need to see the big picture and understand how each part works together.

A nurse manager , for example, might have to deal with being short-staffed. This could require coaching nurses on how to prioritize their workload, organize their tasks and rely on strategies to keep from burning out. A lead nurse with strong critical thinking skills knows how to fully understand the problem and all its implications.

• How will patient care be affected by having fewer staff?
• What kind of strain will be on the nurses?

Their solutions will take into account all their resources and possible roadblocks.

• What work can be delegated to nursing aids?
• Are there any nurses willing to come in on their day off?
• Are nurses from other departments available to provide coverage?

They’ll weigh the pros and cons of each solution and choose those with the greatest potential.

• Will calling in an off-duty nurse contribute to burnout?
• Was this situation a one-off occurrence or something that could require an additional hire in the long term?

Finally, they will look back on the issue and evaluate what worked and what didn’t. With critical thinking skills like this, a lead nurse can affect their entire staff, patient population and department for the better.

Beyond thinking

You’re now well aware of the importance of critical thinking skills in nursing. Even if you already use critical thinking skills every day, you can still work toward strengthening that skill. The more you practice it, the better you will become and the more naturally it will come to you.

If you’re interested in critical thinking because you’d like to move up in your current nursing job, consider how a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) could help you develop the necessary leadership skills.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in July 2012. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2021.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on LinkedIn

Request More Information

Talk with an admissions advisor today. Fill out the form to receive information about:

• Program Details and Applying for Classes
• Financial Aid and FAFSA (for those who qualify)
• Customized Support Services
• Detailed Program Plan

There are some errors in the form. Please correct the errors and submit again.

Please enter your first name.

Please enter your last name.

There is an error in email. Make sure your answer has:

• An "@" symbol
• A suffix such as ".com", ".edu", etc.

There is an error in phone number. Make sure your answer has:

• 10 digits with no dashes or spaces
• No country code (e.g. "1" for USA)

There is an error in ZIP code. Make sure your answer has only 5 digits.

Please choose a School of study.

Please choose a program.

Please choose a degree.

The program you have selected is not available in your ZIP code. Please select another program or contact an Admissions Advisor (877.530.9600) for help.

The program you have selected requires a nursing license. Please select another program or contact an Admissions Advisor (877.530.9600) for help.

Rasmussen University is not enrolling students in your state at this time.

By selecting "Submit," I authorize Rasmussen University to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided. There is no obligation to enroll. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

About the author

Hannah Meinke

Posted in General Nursing

• nursing education

Related Content

Brianna Flavin | 05.07.2024

Brianna Flavin | 03.19.2024

Robbie Gould | 11.14.2023

Noelle Hartt | 11.09.2023

This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Rasmussen University does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Find Study Materials for

• Business Studies
• Combined Science
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• English Literature
• Environmental Science
• Human Geography
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Social Studies
• Browse all subjects
• Read our Magazine

Create Study Materials

Explore the essentials of Critical Thinking in Nursing with this comprehensive guide. In a field where informed, calculated decisions frequently tip the scale between life and death, mastering these skills is imperative. Delve into its definition, uncover key principles, and navigate your way towards effective application in your clinical placements. From formulating constructive questions to evaluating real-life examples, this guide will aid you in recognising the importance that critical thinking holds in the realm of nursing. Grasp its implications within practice and appreciate its indispensable role in nursing education .

Explore our app and discover over 50 million learning materials for free.

• Critical Thinking in Nursing
• Explanations
• StudySmarter AI
• Textbook Solutions
• AACN Essentials
• Active Listening in Nursing
• Advanced Procedures
• Barriers in Communication in Nursing
• Basic Procedures
• Bedside Manners
• Blood Pressure Measurement
• Brazil Healthcare system
• Building Rapport
• CPR Training
• Canadian Medicare
• Catheterisation
• Clinical Assessment
• Clinical Competence
• Clinical Decision-Making
• Clinical Experience
• Clinical Exposure
• Clinical Judgment
• Clinical Learning Activities
• Clinical Learning Environment
• Clinical Learning Outcomes
• Clinical Outcomes
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Clinical Reasoning in Nursing
• Clinical Rotation
• Clinical Scenarios
• Clinical Simulation Scenarios
• Clinical Skill Demonstration
• Clinical Skills
• Clinical Skills Assessment
• Clinical Supervision
• Clinical Training
• Clustering Data
• Collaborative Interventions
• Collaborative Practice
• Comfort Care
• Communication Strategies in Healthcare
• Conflict Resolution
• Coordination of Care
• Critical Reflection
• Cultural Responsiveness
• Direct Patient Care
• Disease Prevention
• E-learning modules
• Empathy in Nursing
• Error Reporting
• Ethical Principles in Nursing
• Ethical Standards
• France Healthcare System
• Germany Healthcare System
• Hands on Learning
• Health Assessment
• Health Care Delivery
• Health Care Policy
• Health Care Service
• Health Care System Structure
• Health Care Teamwork
• Health Promotion
• Health Teaching
• Healthcare Service Delivery
• Healthcare Systems
• Healthcare Team
• Hospital Protocol
• Human Error
• Hybrid Healthcare Systems
• IV Insertion
• Implicit Bias
• India Healthcare System
• Infection Control
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Interpersonal Communications
• Japan Healthcare System
• Learning Opportunities
• Licensing Requirements
• Malpractice
• Medicare Australia
• Medication Administration
• Miscommunication in Nursing
• Morals in Nursing
• NHS Nursing
• Negligence in Nursing
• Non-therapeutic Communication
• Nurse Licensure Compact
• Nursing Care Assessment
• Nursing Care Delivery
• Nursing Care Plan Evaluation
• Nursing Care Plans
• Nursing Case Study
• Nursing Cues
• Nursing Diagnoses
• Nursing Documentation
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Inferences
• Nursing Interventions
• Nursing Judgment
• Nursing Outcomes Classification
• Nursing Procedures
• Nursing Process
• Patient Assessment
• Patient Care
• Patient Care Scenarios
• Patient Care Skills
• Patient Communication
• Patient Confidentiality
• Patient Education
• Patient Feedback
• Patient History Collection
• Patient Hygiene
• Patient Interaction
• Patient Interaction Skills
• Patient Management
• Patient Needs
• Patient Outcomes
• Patient Privacy
• Patient Safety
• Patient Safety Measures
• Patient-Centered Care
• Patient-Centered Interventions
• Private Healthcare
• Professional Accountability
• Professional Behavior
• Professional Ethics
• Professional Growth
• Professional Standards
• Public HealthCare
• Pulse and Respiratory Rate
• Recklessness
• SMART Goals
• Scope of Practice
• Simulation in Nursing Education
• Student Learning Objectives
• Swedish Healthcare System
• Teaching and Learning Methods in Nursing
• Team Communication
• Temperature Assessment
• Therapeutic Communication
• Therapeutic Interactions
• UK Healthcare System
• US Healthcare System
• US Medical Insurance
• Verbal Communication
• Virtual Reality Training
• Vital Signs
• Wellness Education
• Human Anatomy
• Intensive Care Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Nursing Management
• Nursing Theories
• Types of Nursing

Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persönlichen Lernstatistiken

Nie wieder prokastinieren mit unseren Lernerinnerungen.

Understanding Critical Thinking in Nursing

Critical thinking in nursing is a quintessential skill that the aspiring nurses need to learn and incorporate into their practice. It entails a systematic, logical, and reflective approach towards nursing care and decision-making, thus facilitating optimum patient outcomes . Mastery of this vital skill will significantly improve not just the quality of care you provide to your patients, but also your efficiency and effectiveness as a healthcare professional.

Definition of Critical Thinking in Nursing

Critical thinking in nursing refers to the deliberate cognitive process that nurses use to gather, interpret and evaluate information about their patients' health. It informs decision-making, problem-solving, and planning in delivering patient-centered care .

As a nursing professional, you'll encounter complex and unique patient scenarios that require rational, informed, and swift decisions. By applying critical thinking, you can ascertain the most appropriate interventions based on individual patient needs , clinical evidence, and best practice guidelines .

Here is a practical example: if you are presented with a patient who has a high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing , critical thinking plays a key role in your approach. You don’t just see these symptoms as a common cold. Instead, you consider more severe conditions, such as pneumonia or COVID-19, based on the patient's medical history and recent environmental exposure. Determining the right diagnosis relies on your ability to critically think and analyze all the patient information available.

Key Principles of Critical Thinking in Nursing

The principles of critical thinking in nursing guide you as you assess, interpret, and make decisions in your nursing practice.

• Integrity involves approaching situations with an open mind and a willingness to question your own assumptions.
• Accountability stresses the importance of taking responsibility for your decisions and actions.
• Clinical reasoning, which refers to applying reasoning and analytical skills in a clinical situation.
• Evidence-based practice means basing your interventions on the best current evidence from professional literature and guidelines.

The importance of critical thinking extends beyond clinical care delivery. It significantly impacts ethical issues, team communication , and risk management. As you make decisions, you must consider ethical principles like the rights of patients, their dignity, and justice. Effective team communication also hinges on critical thinking, as it enables you to articulate your ideas clearly, listen to others, and resolve conflicts.

In conclusion, understanding and employing critical thinking in nursing can be the difference between ordinary and exceptional nursing care. By honing these skills, you can better anticipate patient needs , make better decisions, and provide superior patient care .

Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Nursing

Developing strong critical thinking skills is crucial to the practice of nursing. This skill enhancement involves a variety of strategies, practice, and awareness of your thought processes. The key is to question and reflect on your working practices, engage in continuing professional development, and use evidence-based guidelines.

Strategies to Enhance Critical Thinking Skills

Enhancing critical thinking requires a diligent and thoughtful approach to your nursing practice. This progression is made feasible by implementing several strategies:

Reflective Journaling: This activity encourages you to reflect systematically on your actions, thoughts, and experiences. It aims to improve your understanding and thereby enhance your practice.

Reflective journaling can be achieved by writing about your daily experiences, patient interactions, clinical decisions, successes and challenges. The goal is to foster self-awareness and enhance your critical thinking through contemplative and thoughtful examination of your nursing practice.

For instance, if a patient in your care experienced an unexpected health decline, you could write about the signs that led to the event, your response, and what you could do differently in the future. Analyzing such situations helps you develop better judgement and decision-making skills.

Peer Reviews: Participating in peer reviews allows for constructive feedback and diversifying perspectives. It provides an opportunity to evaluate and learn from other professionals' approaches to patient care .

You may also employ critical thinking exercises, case study analysis, and group discussions to improve these skills.

It is important to remember that developing critical thinking skills isn't a one-time event but a continual learning process that needs to be integrated into your everyday nursing practice. It will require patience, time, and consistent effort.

Applying Critical Thinking Skills in Clinical Placement

Clinical placement provides a fantastic opportunity for you to apply your critical thinking skills in a realistic and supportive environment. It's where theoretical knowledge meets practical learning.

Clinical Reasoning Cycle: Clinical reasoning cycle is a step-by-step process used by nurses to gather information, process the information, come up with interventions, and assess the outcomes. Critical thinking is intrinsic to this process.

Identifying significant cues and collecting pertinent patient information, interpreting and analysing gathered data, evaluating outcomes, and reflecting on your performance - all of these stages require in-depth thinking and evaluation.

Imagine you're on your clinical placement in an emergency ward. A patient arrives with distressing symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, and dizziness. By exercising critical thinking skills, you quickly connect these symptoms to possibily indicate a cardiac event. You promptly inform the physician, ensuring timely management and potentially saving the patient's life.

To apply critical thinking in clinical placements, always stay curious, ask questions, seek evidence, and don’t shy away from complex situations. Remember, guided experiences are a nurse's most valuable tool for skill development.

Practical Critical Thinking Questions in Nursing

Practical critical thinking questions are instrumental tools that can be used by nurses to enhance their reasoning abilities. These questions can stimulate the thought process, encouraging you to organise your thoughts, focus on the details, and make responsible and evidence-based decisions.

Examples of Critical Thinking Questions

To gain a better understanding of how practical questions can aid in facilitating critical thinking, consider the following examples:

• What are the patient's primary complaints and symptoms?
• How do these symptoms correlate with the patient's medical history?
• What could be the potential cause(s) of these symptoms?
• What additional information can be useful in making evidence-based decisions?
• What interventions are most suitable, and why?

These questions guide you in collecting relevant information, identifying potential issues, and making informed decisions regarding the plan of care. By regularly asking yourself these questions, you can develop a structured and consistent approach to patient care.

Implementing Critical Thinking Questions in Nursing Practice

Implementing critical thinking questions in your nursing practice can seem challenging at first, but with regular use, it can become second nature. It involves asking relevant questions concerning the patient's condition and reflecting on the responses to make a judgement.

To help with this, you can follow these steps:

• Collect all the relevant information from the patient, including their symptoms, medical history, and current medications.
• Analyse this information carefully and consider how it all connects. For instance, does the medical history explain the present symptoms?
• Consider different possibilities. What could be the potential disease or condition?
• Discuss your thoughts with your team or mentor. They may provide you with a different perspective or additional information that you might not have considered.
• Reflect on all available information and use your judgement to arrive at a decision. Remember to base your decision on the best available evidence and guidelines.

For example, imagine you're taking care of a patient who displays signs of confusion, abnormal behaviour and unsteady gait. Instead of considering this as a psychiatric issue, you delve deeper, keeping a broad differential diagnosis in mind. You understand these symptoms could be due to a multitude of reasons, including neurological disorders, metabolic abnormalities, or even intoxication. You then proceed to gather all the relevant information including a thorough medical history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory and imaging studies. By conducting a thorough evaluation and using critical thinking, you can reach a more accurate diagnosis.

Keep in mind, critical thinking is not about reaching a conclusion hastily; it's about taking the time to analyse all the information, consider all possible outcomes, and then make a reasoned judgement. Critical thinking questions are your ally in this process. They prompt you to go beyond surface-level observations and dig deeper, enabling you to provide the highest quality of patient care.

Evaluating Examples of Critical Thinking in Nursing

In nursing, critical thinking plays an immense role when it comes to patient care. Analysing clinical examples and case studies can prove to be an efficient way to understand and exercise this concept. These methods expose you to real-world situations where critical thinking is essential.

Clinical Examples of Effective Critical Thinking

There are countless clinical examples where effective critical thinking can define the difference between successful and unsuccessful patient outcomes .

Consider a patient who is experiencing severe abdominal pain on hospital admission. Their vitals are stable, but they're expressing an inability to urinate. They have no significant medical history, and initial investigations do not indicate any definitive diagnosis. It could be easy at this point to treat the situation as a case of urinary retention alone.

Nevertheless, by applying critical thinking, you point out that there is more to this situation than meets the eye. You are quick to understand that this could be an onset of an insidious condition such as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). You take into account the patient’s age, the severity of the pain, its location, and the urinary symptoms. You call for immediate further investigations which confirm an emergent AAA that requires immediate surgical intervention.

Another common example is of a patient presenting with acute breathlessness and chest pain. Vital signs include tachycardia and decreased oxygen saturation levels. A routine approach might be to administer oxygen and provide symptomatic relief. However, you decide to critically analyse the entire situation with a broader perspective. You keep in mind the patient’s history of deep vein thrombosis and oral contraceptive use, eventually suspecting a pulmonary embolism . This leads to immediate administration of anticoagulation therapy, thus averting a potentially fatal outcome.

Case Studies Highlighting Critical Thinking

Case studies are a powerful tool that helps in understanding the application of critical thinking in nursing. They provide essential insights into real-life scenarios, demanding problem-solving and decision-making skills.

A case study may involve a patient with a long history of diabetes who presents with a non-healing wound on their foot. Routine wound care might help relieve the patient's discomfort temporarily, but it may not treat the underlying condition successfully. By engaging in critical thinking, you might suspect an undiagnosed case of diabetic foot and call for a comprehensive evaluation of peripheral blood circulation , foot sensation tests, and blood glucose control measures. This thought process not only initiates targeted treatment but also aids in preventing wound aggravation, possible infection, and serious consequences such as amputation .

Another case study could be a of a patient who is post-operative day 1 after abdominal surgery, presenting with confusion, restlessness and pallor. Unlike others who might suspect a reaction to anesthesia, considering the patient’s age and post-operative status, you think about acute blood loss and shock. You immediately assemble the surgical team and request re-evaluation. Your rapid decision-making, guided by critical thinking, results in detection of internal bleeding and the patient is swiftly taken for corrective surgery, averting a potential crisis.

Through these case studies and examples, it becomes clear that critical thinking can often mean the difference between life and death situations. It helps you to look beyond the obvious, encourages comprehensive patient assessment , facilitates recognition of potential complications, and promotes prompt intervention, thereby improving patient outcomes.

The Importance of Critical Thinking in Nursing

The realm of nursing inherently encompasses complexity and ambiguity. This is where the importance of critical thinking in nursing comes into play. This essential skill set empowers nurses to consider various factors that contribute to a patient's current health status, predict potential complications, decipher symptoms, and implement effective plans of care.

Implications of Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice

In nursing practice, critical thinking has widespread implications. From making accurate diagnoses to formulating efficient treatment plans, it plays an instrumental role.

Accurate Decision Making: Critical thinking aids in making accurate and informed decisions. These decisions impact patient care significantly and can enhance the quality of treatment provided.

Making accurate decisions requires one to analyse a range of information, consider potential consequences, and select an appropriate course of action. Such a practice can help prevent complications, minimise health risks, and promote recovery.

For instance, consider a patient admitted with fainting spells and bouts of dizziness. If you are quick to merely attribute these symptoms to dehydration without exploring other possibilities, you might miss an underlying cardiac problem. By thinking critically, you will consider all possible diagnoses, supporting investigations, and then decide the best approach.

Patient Safety : Critical thinking is instrumental in promoting patient safety . It enables nurses not only to detect impending health threats but also to act swiftly in the face of medical emergencies.

By using critical thinking, you can identify errors in medication administration , potential patient harm from treatment interventions, infection risks, and safety violations within the healthcare setting.

For example, a patient with a known allergy to penicillin has been mistakenly prescribed a medication containing a penicillin derivative. By critically examining the prescribed medications, you notice this error and prevent a possible allergic reaction, thereby ensuring patient safety .

Critical Thinking in Nursing Education: A Necessity

The integration of critical thinking in nursing education is now more crucial than ever. It is this skill that helps bring theoretical learning to practical fruition.

Theory-Practice Gap: Critical thinking aids in bridging the theory-practice gap in nursing education. It enables the application of theoretical knowledge into practical situations, enhancing learning and performance.

By employing critical thinking in education, students learn to analyse complex scenarios, solve clinical problems, and make informed decisions.

A nursing student in a pediatric rotation, for instance, comes across a child presenting with a high fever, irritability, and a rash. By critically thinking, the student can associate these symptoms to those learnt in theory, suspecting diseases like measles or roseola. Therefore, critical thinking helps to 'translate' classroom learning into a hands-on approach.

Preparing Future Nurses: Critical thinking education helps prepare future nurses to face the challenge of the ever-evolving healthcare environment. It enables them to grasp new concepts rapidly, adapt to change, develop innovative solutions, and engage in evidence-based practice.

To successfully navigate the complexities of the healthcare environment, nurses must master the ability to think critically, problem-solve, and make decisions based on solid evidence and sound reasoning.

Irrespective of the role or setting, critical thinking is a premier skill that every nurse must possess. It is the bedrock of nursing practice and education, forming the basis for maintaining standards, safety, and quality in patient care. Hence, cultivating these abilities must remain a prime focus in the journey of a nurse.

Critical Thinking in Nursing - Key takeaways

• Critical Thinking in Nursing refers to the ability to apply reasoning and analytical skills in various healthcare situations.
• Evidence-based practices are influential in enhancing critical thinking. These practices involve basing interventions on the current best evidence from professional literature and guidelines.
• Developing critical thinking skills involves strategies like questioning and reflecting on your practices, engaging in continuing professional development, and utilizing evidence-based guidelines.
• Practical critical thinking questions stimulate thought processes, enabling organization of thoughts, focusing on details, and making responsible decisions.
• The importance of critical thinking in nursing ranges from ethical issues and team communication to risk management, thereby playing a huge role in improving patient care.

Frequently Asked Questions about Critical Thinking in Nursing

--> what is the importance of critical thinking in nursing practice, --> how can nurses improve their critical thinking skills, --> what are the key steps used in critical thinking in nursing, --> can critical thinking in nursing influence patient outcomes, --> how does critical thinking in nursing contribute to clinical decision making, test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards.

What is Critical Thinking in Nursing?

What are the elements of Critical Thinking in Nursing?

How does Critical Thinking in Nursing benefit Patient Care?

Your score:

Join the StudySmarter App and learn efficiently with millions of flashcards and more!

Learn with 30 critical thinking in nursing flashcards in the free studysmarter app.

Already have an account? Log in

Critical Thinking in Nursing is a cognitive process that involves systematic collection, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of accurate data related to patient care to make informed decisions for optimal health outcomes.

The elements include interpretation (understanding and explaining the meaning of information), analysis (identifying the intended and actual inferential relationships), and evaluation (assessing the credibility of statements and the logical strength of the inferential relationships).

Critical Thinking in Nursing leads to enhanced patient care as it helps in interpreting and analysing patient data, evaluating potential risks, and making informed decisions, thus contributing to optimal health outcomes.

What is the role of critical thinking in nursing?

Critical thinking allows nurses to analyse complex situations, make sound judgments, and provide the best possible care. It is the backbone of clinical judgement and professional autonomy, enhancing patient safety, clinical outcomes, and the delivery of high-quality care.

How do critical thinking skills enhance the quality of nursing care?

Critical thinking skills enable nurses to accurately assess a slew of patient data, make informed clinical decisions considering various treatment options, and problem solve in complex health care environments, enhancing the quality of care provided.

What is the impact of critical thinking on patient outcomes?

Critical thinking aids in revising care plans when treatments fail, helps manage patients with complex conditions, and allows for quick and sound decision-making in emergencies. It also promotes team collaboration, resource utilisation, and evidence-based practice.

of the users don't pass the Critical Thinking in Nursing quiz! Will you pass the quiz?

How would you like to learn this content?

Free nursing cheat sheet!

Everything you need to know on . A perfect summary so you can easily remember everything.

Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

• Flashcards & Quizzes
• AI Study Assistant
• Study Planner
• Smart Note-Taking

Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

This is still free to read, it's not a paywall.

You need to register to keep reading, create a free account to save this explanation..

Save explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!

By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of StudySmarter.

Entdecke Lernmaterial in der StudySmarter-App

41+ Critical Thinking Examples (Definition + Practices)

Critical thinking is an essential skill in our information-overloaded world, where figuring out what is fact and fiction has become increasingly challenging.

But why is critical thinking essential? Put, critical thinking empowers us to make better decisions, challenge and validate our beliefs and assumptions, and understand and interact with the world more effectively and meaningfully.

Critical thinking is like using your brain's "superpowers" to make smart choices. Whether it's picking the right insurance, deciding what to do in a job, or discussing topics in school, thinking deeply helps a lot. In the next parts, we'll share real-life examples of when this superpower comes in handy and give you some fun exercises to practice it.

Critical Thinking Process Outline

Critical thinking means thinking clearly and fairly without letting personal feelings get in the way. It's like being a detective, trying to solve a mystery by using clues and thinking hard about them.

It isn't always easy to think critically, as it can take a pretty smart person to see some of the questions that aren't being answered in a certain situation. But, we can train our brains to think more like puzzle solvers, which can help develop our critical thinking skills.

Here's what it looks like step by step:

Spotting the Problem: It's like discovering a puzzle to solve. You see that there's something you need to figure out or decide.

Collecting Clues: Now, you need to gather information. Maybe you read about it, watch a video, talk to people, or do some research. It's like getting all the pieces to solve your puzzle.

Breaking It Down: This is where you look at all your clues and try to see how they fit together. You're asking questions like: Why did this happen? What could happen next?

Checking Your Clues: You want to make sure your information is good. This means seeing if what you found out is true and if you can trust where it came from.

Making a Guess: After looking at all your clues, you think about what they mean and come up with an answer. This answer is like your best guess based on what you know.

Explaining Your Thoughts: Now, you tell others how you solved the puzzle. You explain how you thought about it and how you answered. 

Checking Your Work: This is like looking back and seeing if you missed anything. Did you make any mistakes? Did you let any personal feelings get in the way? This step helps make sure your thinking is clear and fair.

And remember, you might sometimes need to go back and redo some steps if you discover something new. If you realize you missed an important clue, you might have to go back and collect more information.

Critical Thinking Methods

Just like doing push-ups or running helps our bodies get stronger, there are special exercises that help our brains think better. These brain workouts push us to think harder, look at things closely, and ask many questions.

It's not always about finding the "right" answer. Instead, it's about the journey of thinking and asking "why" or "how." Doing these exercises often helps us become better thinkers and makes us curious to know more about the world.

Now, let's look at some brain workouts to help us think better:

1. "What If" Scenarios

Imagine crazy things happening, like, "What if there was no internet for a month? What would we do?" These games help us think of new and different ideas.

Pick a hot topic. Argue one side of it and then try arguing the opposite. This makes us see different viewpoints and think deeply about a topic.

3. Analyze Visual Data

Check out charts or pictures with lots of numbers and info but no explanations. What story are they telling? This helps us get better at understanding information just by looking at it.

4. Mind Mapping

Write an idea in the center and then draw lines to related ideas. It's like making a map of your thoughts. This helps us see how everything is connected.

There's lots of mind-mapping software , but it's also nice to do this by hand.

5. Weekly Diary

Every week, write about what happened, the choices you made, and what you learned. Writing helps us think about our actions and how we can do better.

6. Evaluating Information Sources

Collect stories or articles about one topic from newspapers or blogs. Which ones are trustworthy? Which ones might be a little biased? This teaches us to be smart about where we get our info.

There are many resources to help you determine if information sources are factual or not.

7. Socratic Questioning

This way of thinking is called the Socrates Method, named after an old-time thinker from Greece. It's about asking lots of questions to understand a topic. You can do this by yourself or chat with a friend.

Start with a Big Question:

"What does 'success' mean?"

Dive Deeper with More Questions:

"Why do you think of success that way?" "Do TV shows, friends, or family make you think that?" "Does everyone think about success the same way?"

"Can someone be a winner even if they aren't rich or famous?" "Can someone feel like they didn't succeed, even if everyone else thinks they did?"

Look for Real-life Examples:

"Who is someone you think is successful? Why?" "Was there a time you felt like a winner? What happened?"

Think About Other People's Views:

"How might a person from another country think about success?" "Does the idea of success change as we grow up or as our life changes?"

Think About What It Means:

"How does your idea of success shape what you want in life?" "Are there problems with only wanting to be rich or famous?"

Look Back and Think:

"After talking about this, did your idea of success change? How?" "Did you learn something new about what success means?"

8. Six Thinking Hats 

Edward de Bono came up with a cool way to solve problems by thinking in six different ways, like wearing different colored hats. You can do this independently, but it might be more effective in a group so everyone can have a different hat color. Each color has its way of thinking:

White Hat (Facts): Just the facts! Ask, "What do we know? What do we need to find out?"

Red Hat (Feelings): Talk about feelings. Ask, "How do I feel about this?"

Black Hat (Careful Thinking): Be cautious. Ask, "What could go wrong?"

Yellow Hat (Positive Thinking): Look on the bright side. Ask, "What's good about this?"

Green Hat (Creative Thinking): Think of new ideas. Ask, "What's another way to look at this?"

Blue Hat (Planning): Organize the talk. Ask, "What should we do next?"

When using this method with a group:

• Explain all the hats.
• Decide which hat to wear first.
• Make sure everyone switches hats at the same time.
• Finish with the Blue Hat to plan the next steps.

9. SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis is like a game plan for businesses to know where they stand and where they should go. "SWOT" stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

There are a lot of SWOT templates out there for how to do this visually, but you can also think it through. It doesn't just apply to businesses but can be a good way to decide if a project you're working on is working.

Strengths: What's working well? Ask, "What are we good at?"

Weaknesses: Where can we do better? Ask, "Where can we improve?"

Opportunities: What good things might come our way? Ask, "What chances can we grab?"

Threats: What challenges might we face? Ask, "What might make things tough for us?"

Steps to do a SWOT Analysis:

• Goal: Decide what you want to find out.
• Research: Learn about your business and the world around it.
• Brainstorm: Get a group and think together. Talk about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Pick the Most Important Points: Some things might be more urgent or important than others.
• Make a Plan: Decide what to do based on your SWOT list.
• Check Again Later: Things change, so look at your SWOT again after a while to update it.

Now that you have a few tools for thinking critically, let’s get into some specific examples.

Everyday Examples

Life is a series of decisions. From the moment we wake up, we're faced with choices – some trivial, like choosing a breakfast cereal, and some more significant, like buying a home or confronting an ethical dilemma at work. While it might seem that these decisions are disparate, they all benefit from the application of critical thinking.

10. Deciding to buy something

Imagine you want a new phone. Don't just buy it because the ad looks cool. Think about what you need in a phone. Look up different phones and see what people say about them. Choose the one that's the best deal for what you want.

11. Deciding what is true

There's a lot of news everywhere. Don't believe everything right away. Think about why someone might be telling you this. Check if what you're reading or watching is true. Make up your mind after you've looked into it.

12. Deciding when you’re wrong

Sometimes, friends can have disagreements. Don't just get mad right away. Try to see where they're coming from. Talk about what's going on. Find a way to fix the problem that's fair for everyone.

13. Deciding what to eat

There's always a new diet or exercise that's popular. Don't just follow it because it's trendy. Find out if it's good for you. Ask someone who knows, like a doctor. Make choices that make you feel good and stay healthy.

14. Deciding what to do today

Everyone is busy with school, chores, and hobbies. Make a list of things you need to do. Decide which ones are most important. Plan your day so you can get things done and still have fun.

15. Making Tough Choices

Sometimes, it's hard to know what's right. Think about how each choice will affect you and others. Talk to people you trust about it. Choose what feels right in your heart and is fair to others.

16. Planning for the Future

Big decisions, like where to go to school, can be tricky. Think about what you want in the future. Look at the good and bad of each choice. Talk to people who know about it. Pick what feels best for your dreams and goals.

Job Examples

17. solving problems.

Workers brainstorm ways to fix a machine quickly without making things worse when a machine breaks at a factory.

18. Decision Making

A store manager decides which products to order more of based on what's selling best.

19. Setting Goals

A team leader helps their team decide what tasks are most important to finish this month and which can wait.

20. Evaluating Ideas

At a team meeting, everyone shares ideas for a new project. The group discusses each idea's pros and cons before picking one.

21. Handling Conflict

Two workers disagree on how to do a job. Instead of arguing, they talk calmly, listen to each other, and find a solution they both like.

22. Improving Processes

A cashier thinks of a faster way to ring up items so customers don't have to wait as long.

23. Asking Questions

Before starting a big task, an employee asks for clear instructions and checks if they have the necessary tools.

24. Checking Facts

Before presenting a report, someone double-checks all their information to make sure there are no mistakes.

25. Planning for the Future

A business owner thinks about what might happen in the next few years, like new competitors or changes in what customers want, and makes plans based on those thoughts.

26. Understanding Perspectives

A team is designing a new toy. They think about what kids and parents would both like instead of just what they think is fun.

School Examples

27. researching a topic.

For a history project, a student looks up different sources to understand an event from multiple viewpoints.

28. Debating an Issue

In a class discussion, students pick sides on a topic, like school uniforms, and share reasons to support their views.

29. Evaluating Sources

While writing an essay, a student checks if the information from a website is trustworthy or might be biased.

30. Problem Solving in Math

When stuck on a tricky math problem, a student tries different methods to find the answer instead of giving up.

31. Analyzing Literature

In English class, students discuss why a character in a book made certain choices and what those decisions reveal about them.

32. Testing a Hypothesis

For a science experiment, students guess what will happen and then conduct tests to see if they're right or wrong.

33. Giving Peer Feedback

After reading a classmate's essay, a student offers suggestions for improving it.

34. Questioning Assumptions

In a geography lesson, students consider why certain countries are called "developed" and what that label means.

35. Designing a Study

For a psychology project, students plan an experiment to understand how people's memories work and think of ways to ensure accurate results.

36. Interpreting Data

In a science class, students look at charts and graphs from a study, then discuss what the information tells them and if there are any patterns.

Critical Thinking Puzzles

Not all scenarios will have a single correct answer that can be figured out by thinking critically. Sometimes we have to think critically about ethical choices or moral behaviors. 

Here are some mind games and scenarios you can solve using critical thinking. You can see the solution(s) at the end of the post.

37. The Farmer, Fox, Chicken, and Grain Problem

A farmer is at a riverbank with a fox, a chicken, and a grain bag. He needs to get all three items across the river. However, his boat can only carry himself and one of the three items at a time. 

Here's the challenge:

• If the fox is left alone with the chicken, the fox will eat the chicken.
• If the chicken is left alone with the grain, the chicken will eat the grain.

How can the farmer get all three items across the river without any item being eaten? 

38. The Rope, Jar, and Pebbles Problem

You are in a room with two long ropes hanging from the ceiling. Each rope is just out of arm's reach from the other, so you can't hold onto one rope and reach the other simultaneously. 

Your task is to tie the two rope ends together, but you can't move the position where they hang from the ceiling.

You are given a jar full of pebbles. How do you complete the task?

39. The Two Guards Problem

Imagine there are two doors. One door leads to certain doom, and the other leads to freedom. You don't know which is which.

In front of each door stands a guard. One guard always tells the truth. The other guard always lies. You don't know which guard is which.

You can ask only one question to one of the guards. What question should you ask to find the door that leads to freedom?

40. The Hourglass Problem

You have two hourglasses. One measures 7 minutes when turned over, and the other measures 4 minutes. Using just these hourglasses, how can you time exactly 9 minutes?

41. The Lifeboat Dilemma

Imagine you're on a ship that's sinking. You get on a lifeboat, but it's already too full and might flip over. 

Nearby in the water, five people are struggling: a scientist close to finding a cure for a sickness, an old couple who've been together for a long time, a mom with three kids waiting at home, and a tired teenager who helped save others but is now in danger. 

You can only save one person without making the boat flip. Who would you choose?

42. The Tech Dilemma

You work at a tech company and help make a computer program to help small businesses. You're almost ready to share it with everyone, but you find out there might be a small chance it has a problem that could show users' private info. 

If you decide to fix it, you must wait two more months before sharing it. But your bosses want you to share it now. What would you do?

43. The History Mystery

Dr. Amelia is a history expert. She's studying where a group of people traveled long ago. She reads old letters and documents to learn about it. But she finds some letters that tell a different story than what most people believe. 

If she says this new story is true, it could change what people learn in school and what they think about history. What should she do?

The Role of Bias in Critical Thinking

Have you ever decided you don’t like someone before you even know them? Or maybe someone shared an idea with you that you immediately loved without even knowing all the details. 

This experience is called bias, which occurs when you like or dislike something or someone without a good reason or knowing why. It can also take shape in certain reactions to situations, like a habit or instinct. 

Bias comes from our own experiences, what friends or family tell us, or even things we are born believing. Sometimes, bias can help us stay safe, but other times it stops us from seeing the truth.

Not all bias is bad. Bias can be a mechanism for assessing our potential safety in a new situation. If we are biased to think that anything long, thin, and curled up is a snake, we might assume the rope is something to be afraid of before we know it is just a rope.

While bias might serve us in some situations (like jumping out of the way of an actual snake before we have time to process that we need to be jumping out of the way), it often harms our ability to think critically.

How Bias Gets in the Way of Good Thinking

Selective Perception: We only notice things that match our ideas and ignore the rest. 

It's like only picking red candies from a mixed bowl because you think they taste the best, but they taste the same as every other candy in the bowl. It could also be when we see all the signs that our partner is cheating on us but choose to ignore them because we are happy the way we are (or at least, we think we are).

Agreeing with Yourself: This is called “ confirmation bias ” when we only listen to ideas that match our own and seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms what we already think we know or believe. 

An example is when someone wants to know if it is safe to vaccinate their children but already believes that vaccines are not safe, so they only look for information supporting the idea that vaccines are bad.

Thinking We Know It All: Similar to confirmation bias, this is called “overconfidence bias.” Sometimes we think our ideas are the best and don't listen to others. This can stop us from learning.

Have you ever met someone who you consider a “know it”? Probably, they have a lot of overconfidence bias because while they may know many things accurately, they can’t know everything. Still, if they act like they do, they show overconfidence bias.

There's a weird kind of bias similar to this called the Dunning Kruger Effect, and that is when someone is bad at what they do, but they believe and act like they are the best .

Following the Crowd: This is formally called “groupthink”. It's hard to speak up with a different idea if everyone agrees. But this can lead to mistakes.

An example of this we’ve all likely seen is the cool clique in primary school. There is usually one person that is the head of the group, the “coolest kid in school”, and everyone listens to them and does what they want, even if they don’t think it’s a good idea.

How to Overcome Biases

Here are a few ways to learn to think better, free from our biases (or at least aware of them!).

Know Your Biases: Realize that everyone has biases. If we know about them, we can think better.

Listen to Different People: Talking to different kinds of people can give us new ideas.

Ask Why: Always ask yourself why you believe something. Is it true, or is it just a bias?

Understand Others: Try to think about how others feel. It helps you see things in new ways.

Keep Learning: Always be curious and open to new information.

In today's world, everything changes fast, and there's so much information everywhere. This makes critical thinking super important. It helps us distinguish between what's real and what's made up. It also helps us make good choices. But thinking this way can be tough sometimes because of biases. These are like sneaky thoughts that can trick us. The good news is we can learn to see them and think better.

There are cool tools and ways we've talked about, like the "Socratic Questioning" method and the "Six Thinking Hats." These tools help us get better at thinking. These thinking skills can also help us in school, work, and everyday life.

We’ve also looked at specific scenarios where critical thinking would be helpful, such as deciding what diet to follow and checking facts.

Thinking isn't just a skill—it's a special talent we improve over time. Working on it lets us see things more clearly and understand the world better. So, keep practicing and asking questions! It'll make you a smarter thinker and help you see the world differently.

Critical Thinking Puzzles (Solutions)

The farmer, fox, chicken, and grain problem.

• The farmer first takes the chicken across the river and leaves it on the other side.
• He returns to the original side and takes the fox across the river.
• After leaving the fox on the other side, he returns the chicken to the starting side.
• He leaves the chicken on the starting side and takes the grain bag across the river.
• He leaves the grain with the fox on the other side and returns to get the chicken.
• The farmer takes the chicken across, and now all three items -- the fox, the chicken, and the grain -- are safely on the other side of the river.

The Rope, Jar, and Pebbles Problem

• Take one rope and tie the jar of pebbles to its end.
• Swing the rope with the jar in a pendulum motion.
• While the rope is swinging, grab the other rope and wait.
• As the swinging rope comes back within reach due to its pendulum motion, grab it.
• With both ropes within reach, untie the jar and tie the rope ends together.

The Two Guards Problem

The question is, "What would the other guard say is the door to doom?" Then choose the opposite door.

The Hourglass Problem

• Start both hourglasses. 
• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out, turn it over.
• When the 7-minute hourglass runs out, the 4-minute hourglass will have been running for 3 minutes. Turn the 7-minute hourglass over. 
• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out for the second time (a total of 8 minutes have passed), the 7-minute hourglass will run for 1 minute. Turn the 7-minute hourglass again for 1 minute to empty the hourglass (a total of 9 minutes passed).

The Boat and Weights Problem

Take the cat over first and leave it on the other side. Then, return and take the fish across next. When you get there, take the cat back with you. Leave the cat on the starting side and take the cat food across. Lastly, return to get the cat and bring it to the other side.

The Lifeboat Dilemma

There isn’t one correct answer to this problem. Here are some elements to consider:

• Moral Principles: What values guide your decision? Is it the potential greater good for humanity (the scientist)? What is the value of long-standing love and commitment (the elderly couple)? What is the future of young children who depend on their mothers? Or the selfless bravery of the teenager?
• Future Implications: Consider the future consequences of each choice. Saving the scientist might benefit millions in the future, but what moral message does it send about the value of individual lives?
• Emotional vs. Logical Thinking: While it's essential to engage empathy, it's also crucial not to let emotions cloud judgment entirely. For instance, while the teenager's bravery is commendable, does it make him more deserving of a spot on the boat than the others?
• Acknowledging Uncertainty: The scientist claims to be close to a significant breakthrough, but there's no certainty. How does this uncertainty factor into your decision?
• Personal Bias: Recognize and challenge any personal biases, such as biases towards age, profession, or familial status.

The Tech Dilemma

Again, there isn’t one correct answer to this problem. Here are some elements to consider:

• Evaluate the Risk: How severe is the potential vulnerability? Can it be easily exploited, or would it require significant expertise? Even if the circumstances are rare, what would be the consequences if the vulnerability were exploited?
• Stakeholder Considerations: Different stakeholders will have different priorities. Upper management might prioritize financial projections, the marketing team might be concerned about the product's reputation, and customers might prioritize the security of their data. How do you balance these competing interests?
• Short-Term vs. Long-Term Implications: While launching on time could meet immediate financial goals, consider the potential long-term damage to the company's reputation if the vulnerability is exploited. Would the short-term gains be worth the potential long-term costs?
• Ethical Implications : Beyond the financial and reputational aspects, there's an ethical dimension to consider. Is it right to release a product with a known vulnerability, even if the chances of it being exploited are low?
• Seek External Input: Consulting with cybersecurity experts outside your company might be beneficial. They could provide a more objective risk assessment and potential mitigation strategies.
• Communication: How will you communicate the decision, whatever it may be, both internally to your team and upper management and externally to your customers and potential users?

The History Mystery

Dr. Amelia should take the following steps:

• Verify the Letters: Before making any claims, she should check if the letters are actual and not fake. She can do this by seeing when and where they were written and if they match with other things from that time.
• Get a Second Opinion: It's always good to have someone else look at what you've found. Dr. Amelia could show the letters to other history experts and see their thoughts.
• Research More: Maybe there are more documents or letters out there that support this new story. Dr. Amelia should keep looking to see if she can find more evidence.
• Share the Findings: If Dr. Amelia believes the letters are true after all her checks, she should tell others. This can be through books, talks, or articles.
• Stay Open to Feedback: Some people might agree with Dr. Amelia, and others might not. She should listen to everyone and be ready to learn more or change her mind if new information arises.

Ultimately, Dr. Amelia's job is to find out the truth about history and share it. It's okay if this new truth differs from what people used to believe. History is about learning from the past, no matter the story.

Related posts:

• Experimenter Bias (Definition + Examples)
• Hasty Generalization Fallacy (31 Examples + Similar Names)
• Ad Hoc Fallacy (29 Examples + Other Names)
• Confirmation Bias (Examples + Definition)
• Equivocation Fallacy (26 Examples + Description)

Reference this article:

About The Author

Free Personality Test

Free Memory Test

Free IQ Test

PracticalPie.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Us On:

Youtube Facebook Instagram X/Twitter

Psychology Resources

Developmental

Personality

Relationships

Psychologists

Serial Killers

Psychology Tests

Personality Quiz

Memory Test

Depression test

Type A/B Personality Test

© PracticalPsychology. All rights reserved

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

International Distributors

Home | Blog | Using Scenario-Based Learning to Teach Critical CNA and Soft Skills

Using Scenario-Based Learning to Teach Critical CNA and Soft Skills

Many CNA programs are struggling to get students the clinical hours they need to meet requirements and the hands-on practice they need for skills mastery. Scenario-based learning not only provides students with opportunities for skills training in their classrooms, but it also naturally leads to soft skill development.

Recently, Realityworks Product Manager Denise DuBois hosted a webinar with Kimberly Harper, RN and Nursing Instructor. Kimberly has 17 years of experience of clinical instruction with nursing students and CNAs. She regularly collaborates with programs across the country to bring innovating ideas to instructors and industry leaders. In this blog post, we share the key takeaways from their presentation, which focused on using scenario-based learning to teach critical CNA and soft skills. Keep reading to learn more, or watch the complete webinar on-demand anytime below.

What is scenario-based learning and why should you use it?

Scenario-based learning is an active learning method that uses real-life scenarios to create relatable learning experiences. Today’s students value opportunities to practice skill before doing them in real life. This learning method builds on skills students already have and creates a foundation for further skill development.

Using scenario-based learning gives teachers the opportunity to validate the lessons students have learned. It helps students determine any behavioral changes needed and translate knowledge from the classroom to real life. Scenario-based lessons also naturally generate discussions. In turn, students practice critical thinking and problem-solving; they translate knowledge into skills.

Successful scenario-based lessons

Successful and realistic components to scenario-based learning include creating the best learning environment available, supporting key component requirements and setting SMART goals.

SMART goals guide the process of the scenario. This may include what skills will be accomplished and a checklist of specific completion goals. By setting SMART goals, you can identify a student’s understanding at a specific skill level and develop different scenarios for different skill levels.

Tips for building your scenarios:

Good scenarios are relevant. They offer up-to-date, engaging tools. Keep scenario lessons short to allow for debriefing and soft skill discussions afterwards.

• Defining intended outcomes. Students need to understand their role, be able to communicate and use critical thinking skills. If key steps are missed, you might need to stop the scenario for adjustments. It is ideal that problem-solving skills are happening at the right time.
• Make a critical action checklist. Make a list of key scenario components so learners understand the critical actions that are needed for the scenario.
• Create the scenario. Determine when the scenario will start, formulate key points and assign roles. Decide at what point the scenario will end. Collect all hands-on equipment and supplies for scenarios, include best practices information and make it realistic as to what the student will encounter in a real scenario.

Virtual TIP: For virtual settings, it is important to test platforms. Some examples include Mural for visual whiteboard collaboration, effective for brainstorming/mapping and conversation in real time; Poll Everywhere for icebreaker activities and adding video clips to add to the scenario discussion.

• Build case narratives. Be sure to use real life scenarios or even past student examples as it will help facilitate real, memorable experiences.
• Keep instructor notes. Maintain a list of tips and tricks you want to remember for next time. Noteworthy items can comprise of suggestions for the learner in the room or thought on what to do differently for struggling student vs advanced student.
• Make a debriefing plan. Ask your students for input such as what went well, what opportunities were present and what could be better. Ask them to consider what they would do differently the next time and what the most meaningful takeaway was for them.

Tools for scenario-based learning in CNA courses

Sample scenarios and ideas are sprinkled throughout Denise and Kimberly’s presentation. Watch the webinar in its entirety to get resources such as DIY inspiration and helpful websites, plus sample scenarios.

Save lesson planning time with “scenarios in a box.” Realityworks’ out-of-the-box CNA skills sim kits provide 3 ready-to-use scenarios. Each kit includes accompanying simulation props, extensive scenario guides, best practices aligned to INACSL standards and more.

Realityworks’ pathway/occupation-specific workplace scenario cards are great for classroom ice breaker activities and wrapping up lessons. You can also use them to facilitate written activities and discussions.

• See a complete list of resources discussed in this webinar here
• Download our free guide, “ Classroom Ideas to Help Students Develop Empathy Toward Older Adults ”
• Learn 3 Ways to Use Our Health Science Skills Simulation Kits in this blog
• Download a free guide, “ Free guide: Using Scenario-Based Learning To Explore Careers “

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our email list!

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Realityworks

CNA Practice Test 1

Quiz summary.

0 of 30 Questions completed

Information

You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.

Quiz is loading…

You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.

You must first complete the following:

Test complete. Results are being recorded.

0 of 30 Questions answered correctly

Time has elapsed

You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), ( 0 )

Earned Point(s): 0 of 0 , ( 0 ) 0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0 )

• Not categorized 0%

1 . Question

The nursing assistant knows that the responsibilities of the position do not include:.

• Helping a resident to bathe.
• Administering a medication.
• Keeping a resident’s room tidy.
• Applying an icepack as ordered.

2 . Question

Which of the following would be considered an example of battery toward a patient.

• The nursing assistant cleans the resident’s glasses.
• The nursing assistant asks for permission before touching the resident to assist them to the bathroom.
• The nursing assistant bathes the resident without his or her permission.
• The nursing assistant keeps a resident isolated from others as a form of punishment.

3 . Question

The nursing assistant suspects that a resident in the facility is being abused due to multiple unexplained bruises, refusal to answer most questions, and refusal of adls. which of the following actions should the nursing assistant take next.

• Notify the nurse assigned to care for the patient about the bruises.
• Report the suspected situation to the nursing assistant’s immediate supervisor.
• Ask the resident repeatedly to identify an abuser.
• Wait for more proof in order to identify the abuser.

4 . Question

Mrsa is an example of which of the following.

• A resistant strain of bacteria that is difficult to treat with antibiotics.
• A bacterial strain that is easy to treat with antibiotics.
• A mnemonic to remember how to act if there is a fire in the facility.
• A set of activity guidelines designed to keep residents safe.

5 . Question

What is the best way for a nursing assistant to prevent infection.

• Use standard precautions when caring for residents.
• Apply an antiseptic hand rub before and after caring for residents.
• Wear gloves when in contact with body fluids.
• Frequent hand washing.

6 . Question

Which of the following is a key part of care when administering a bath to a resident.

• Clean the perineal area of a patient before assisting them to clean their face.
• Use cool water when bathing the patient to promote better circulation.
• Allow participation in care to promote a sense of independence.
• Perform all care for the resident in order to conserve their energy.

7 . Question

A nursing assistant cares for a resident. which of the following skin care measures are correct.

• The nursing assistant does not begin perineal care until a second staff member is present.
• The nursing assistant notes an unblanchable red area on the resident’s sacrum and reports it to the nurse.
• The nursing assistant applies talcum powder beneath the abdominal folds of the resident.
• The nursing assistant applies a prescription ointment as ordered.

8 . Question

Before shaving a resident, the nursing assistant checks for which of the following items in the resident’s care plan.

• Shaving instructions related to problems or issues clotting.
• History of a heart condition.
• Presence of the resident’s razor from home.
• Any previous refusal of ADLs.

9 . Question

Fecal impaction may present with which of the following symptoms.

• Dark urine.
• Excessive flatulence.
• Small, watery leakage of stool.
• Abdominal pain.

10 . Question

Dyspnea is a term that refers to difficulty with which of the following.

• Defecating.
• Swallowing.

11 . Question

Which of the following statements is true about alzheimer’s residents.

• An increased appetite is common as Alzheimer’s progresses.
• Residents can never be reoriented because they will immediately forget it.
• The resident may become confused, but hallucinations are never a part of Alzheimer’s.
• It is important to maintain a routine to avoid confusion and overstimulation.

12 . Question

Which of the following is a correct aspect of making an occupied bed.

• Place soiled linen on the floor until the bed has been remade with clean sheets.
• Lower the bed to the lowest level when the procedure is complete.
• Avoid raising the bed rails unless absolutely necessary.
• Mitering the corners of the new sheet is no longer recommended.

13 . Question

Which of the following is an example of a pulse rate that should be reported to the nurse, 14 . question, the nursing assistant knows that signs of hypoglycemia include which of the following.

• Tachycardia.
• Hot and dry skin.

15 . Question

Which of the following guidelines regarding residents who are hard of hearing would be considered correct.

• Encourage family participation to make sure they understand you.
• Speak in a high-pitched voice to enhance understanding.
• Write down words rather than speaking.
• Speak clearly and slowly as you face the resident.

16 . Question

A resident is ordered to be in high fowler position for each meal. which of the following descriptions is the most accurate depiction of high fowler position.

• The patient lies on their stomach for twenty minutes prior to eating.
• The patient’s bed is at a 30 degree angle with the patient slightly slumped over to the left.
• The patient’s bed is at a 60 degree angle with the feet propped up.
• The patient's bed is at a 90 degree angle and the patient is positioned sitting up.

17 . Question

What protective equipment should be worn when changing an incontinent patient.

• Gloves and gown.
• Mask and gown.
• Gloves, gown, and a mask.

18 . Question

Of the following symptoms, which one is most likely due to an infection in a resident.

• Tented skin.
• Sudden onset confusion.

19 . Question

The nursing assistant knows that the term “npo” means:.

• Bedrest only.
• No oral temperatures are to be taken.
• Nothing by mouth.
• Liquid diet.

20 . Question

The nursing assistant should tell the nurse if the client with diabetes:.

• does not touch their lunch tray.
• reports numbness in their feet sometimes.
• combs their hair without being prompted.
• decides not to finalize a will.

21 . Question

The nursing assistant knows that residents on bedrest must be turned every:, 22 . question, which of the following pulses will be most commonly used by a nursing assistant when acquiring vital signs, 23 . question, the nursing assistant is helping residents to eat in the dining room when, suddenly, a resident stands from their seat and begins clutching their throat while coughing silently. the nursing assistant performs which of the following actions first.

• Ask the resident if they are choking.
• Begin CPR immediately.
• Begin the Heimlich maneuver.

24 . Question

A client at the facility receives a new roommate. while the roommate is in the bathroom, the clients leans toward the nurse and whispers, “why is she here anyway is she sick” the best response by the nursing assistant is:.

• “I’m not sure. Let me take a look at her chart.”
• “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”
• “She’s here for the same thing as you!”
• “I’m afraid I can’t share that information with you.”

25 . Question

A client with alzheimers wakes up more confused than usual one morning. the nursing assistant knows that, after breakfast, it is most important to support normal gastrointestinal tract function by:.

• recording intake and output.
• brushing the client’s teeth.
• taking the client to the bathroom.
• assisting the client to call family members.

26 . Question

The client asks the nursing assistant to assist her to cut her toenails. the nursing assistant knows this client has type two diabetes. which of the following actions is best.

• Retrieve a safety clipper and hand it to the client.
• Report to the nurse that the client needs her toenails trimmed.
• Check the client’s blood glucose before cutting her toe nails.
• Check the chart for physician orders regarding nail trimming.

27 . Question

Which of the following options is the best method to prevent insomnia.

• Ensure the client eats one apple per day.
• Encourage the client to take several naps daily.
• Encourage the client to take several walks around the facility daily.
• Encourage the client to remain in bed throughout the day.

28 . Question

The nursing assistant takes the temperature of an elderly client and finds it to be 100.6 degrees f. the client reports having just taken a sip of hot tea. which of the following actions is appropriate.

• The nursing assistants waits at least fifteen minutes before retaking the temperature.
• The nursing assistant records the temperature in the chart.
• The nursing assistant scolds the client for not letting her know beforehand.
• The nursing assistant takes an axillary temperature instead.

29 . Question

A client under the nursing assistant’s care suffers from chronic “foot drop”. the nursing assistant can expect to find which of the following devices in the client’s room.

• A mechanical lift.
• Positioning boots.
• Two extra pillows.

30 . Question

A nursing assistant takes the blood pressure of a client and finds it to be 82/43. the client reports feeling dizzy. the nursing assistant should:.

• take the client’s pulse next.
• report the finding to the nurse.
• record the vital sign in the chart.
• instruct the client to drink more fluids.
• --> --> Review --> --> Answered -->