Critical Thinking in Assessment

Why doesn’t “cookbook medicine” work in EMS?

Because EMS occurs in a dynamically changing and often chaotic environment, requiring flexible critical thinking rather than rigid protocols.

What is the first step in critical thinking during patient assessment?

Gathering information by seeking facts to help clinical decision making and scene management, through observing the scene and questioning the patient and bystanders.

What challenges may arise during the information-gathering step?

Patients may be uncooperative, unconscious, or have communication barriers.

What is the next step after gathering information in critical thinking?

Evaluating the information to consider what it means and using critical-thinking skills to consider other conditions that could produce the same signs and symptoms.

What is the final step in critical thinking during assessment?

Synthesizing the validated information into a plan to manage the scene and/or care for the patient.