Critical Thinking & Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing

These 55 question-and-answer flashcards review key points about blended nursing skills, critical thinking, error prevention, priority frameworks, and the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model.

What are the four blended competencies required in nursing care?

Technical, interpersonal, ethical/legal, and cognitive skills.

Which blended competency involves hands-on procedures and equipment use?

Technical skills.

Which blended competency focuses on promoting the dignity and respect of patients as people?

Interpersonal skills.

Which blended competency requires awareness of legal boundaries, the nurse practice act, policies, procedures, and documentation?

Ethical/Legal skills.

Which blended competency relies on the brain’s ability to think, pay attention, and reason?

Cognitive skills.

How is critical thinking in nursing defined in the lecture?

The application of knowledge and experience to identify patient problems and direct clinical judgments and actions that result in positive patient outcomes.

Critical thinking uses both __ and intuition and develops over time with knowledge and expertise.

Logic.

Give one overarching reason why critical thinking is necessary for modern LVNs.

Because rapid change, patient complexity, and healthcare consumer expectations demand evidence-based, adaptable decisions.

Since what year has the NCLEX been changing to include analysis questions?

1996.

Analysis is an essential part of which broader cognitive process in nursing?

Critical thinking.

Evidence-based nursing practice depends heavily on what thinking skill?

Critical thinking.

Define clinical reasoning, as presented in the notes.

The ability to focus and filter clinical data to recognize what is most and least important so the nurse can identify an actual problem.

Define clinical judgment, according to the lecture.

The combination of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and repetitive decision-making that forms fact-based nursing judgments.

What kind of thinking occurs when the brain engages out of habit without much conscious thought?

Non-focused thinking.

What term describes routine actions performed on “automatic pilot” that require little conscious effort?

Habitual thinking.

What type of thinking involves multiple short, purposeless thoughts flitting through the mind?

Random thoughts.

Replaying the same situation over and over without reaching an outcome is called __ thinking.

Ruminative.

When the mind is made up and no additional facts are considered, it is known as __ thinking.

All-or-none (black-and-white) thinking.

What term is used when the mind is stuck on negative thoughts, thereby blocking worthwhile thinking?

Negative thinking.

In developing critical thinking, what is the very first question you should ask yourself?

What is my purpose or goal?

Why should you critique your judgment before making a final clinical decision?

To predict possible outcomes and evaluate the decision so it can positively influence actions.

List three potential errors that can impede critical thinking.

Bias, impatience, and lack of information (others include illogical thinking, closed-mindedness, and erroneous assumptions).

What conversational strategy with peers can enhance critical thinking skills?

Discussion with colleagues.

Creating visual diagrams that link patient data and concepts is known as using __ maps.

Concept.

According to the notes, what six abilities do you need to think critically?

Access information, comprehend it, store it in long-term memory, determine what you know and do not know, recall comprehended information, and know where to find information.

Which statement exemplifies openness to knowledge gaps and a willingness to learn in nursing practice?

“I don’t know, but I will find out.”

Which framework ranks human needs from basic physiological requirements up to self-actualization?

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy includes air, water, food, housing, sleep, and sexual activity?

Physiological needs.

In Maslow’s hierarchy, the need for a secure environment in which one can live, work, and play is called __ needs.

Safety.

The need to give love and receive love belongs to which Maslow level?

Love (Belongingness) needs.

Having a high self-image and the respect of others corresponds to which Maslow level?

Esteem needs.

A need for achievement and mastery is associated with which top level of Maslow’s hierarchy?

Self-actualization.

In the ABCDE priority framework, what is always assessed first?

Airway.

Within the ABCDE approach, which assessment follows airway?

Breathing.

What is the third priority after airway and breathing in the ABCDE framework?

Circulation.

In the ABCDE priority list, what does the letter "D" stand for?

Disability (neurologic status).

In the ABCDE assessment, what does the letter "E" represent?

Exposure (and environmental control).

Which organization developed the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model highlighted in the lecture?

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

In the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model, what is the very first function nurses perform?

Recognize cues.

According to the NCSBN model, which function comes directly after recognizing cues?

Analyze cues.

Which NCSBN Clinical Judgment function involves deciding what problem should be addressed first?

Prioritize hypotheses.

In the NCSBN model, which function requires creating possible nursing actions?

Generate solutions.

Which NCSBN Clinical Judgment step involves implementing the chosen nursing interventions?

Take action.

Which NCSBN Clinical Judgment step checks whether interventions achieved the desired effect?

Evaluate outcomes.

What is the first step of the traditional nursing process?

Assessment.

Which step of the nursing process involves identifying patient problems based on collected data?

Analysis (Diagnosis).

During which step of the nursing process are measurable goals and desired outcomes established?

Planning.

Which nursing process phase involves carrying out the planned interventions?

Implementation.

What is the final step of the nursing process in which the nurse determines goal achievement?

Evaluation.

Name two helpful resources mentioned for building stronger critical thinking skills.

Experienced clinicians and professional journals (others include facility policies and procedures).

What common barrier to critical thinking involves preconceived notions that distort judgment?

Bias.

Which personal skill that recognizes and manages emotions can improve critical thinking?

Emotional intelligence.

Practicing clinical scenarios on manikins in a controlled environment is known as what learning method?

Simulation.

Acting out scenarios to explore different perspectives and improve decision-making is called __.

Role playing.

According to the lecture, behind every healed patient is a __ nurse.

Critical thinking.