SCAQ LU 4
1. Which of the following best reflects the purpose element in critical thinking?
A. The data used to make the decision
B. The motivation behind the reasoning
C. The assumption made during planning
D. The consequences of an action
2. In critical thinking, the “question at issue” refers to:
A. The decision made by the nurse
B. The emotional state of the patient
C. The central problem being addressed
D. The ethical dilemma being avoided
3. What might compromise the information element in reasoning?
A. Clear patient documentation
B. Use of validated data sources
C. Incomplete or inaccurate clinical data
D. Objective interpretation of facts
4. A nurse says, “Because the patient is confused, it is likely he has a UTI.” This is an example of:
A. Assumption
B. Inference
C. Opinion
D. Evidence
5. Which of the following is a conceptual issue in reasoning?
A. Interpreting blood pressure results
B. Applying the principle of beneficence
C. Giving insulin on time
D. Delegating tasks to the care team
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Section B: Intellectual Standards in Thinking
6. If a nurse’s rationale for an intervention is hard to follow, which standard is lacking?
A. Logic
B. Fairness
C. Clarity
D. Relevance
7. A nursing report that includes all critical values but also irrelevant details may lack:
A. Precision
B. Depth
C. Significance
D. Breadth
8. Which standard evaluates whether reasoning considers multiple viewpoints?
A. Accuracy
B. Logic
C. Breadth
D. Relevance
9. A nurse evaluates a care plan and notes it contains all essential details. This reflects:
A. Relevance
B. Significance
C. Fairness
D. Precision
10. When a nurse reflects on the logical sequence of her clinical decisions, she is applying:
A. Depth
B. Logic
C. Fairness
D. Clarity
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Section C: Core Critical Thinking Skills
11. Interpreting lab values and patient behaviour is an example of:
A. Inference
B. Interpretation
C. Analysis
D. Explanation
12. Which skill involves determining what problem is suggested by patient data?
A. Inference
B. Explanation
C. Evaluation
D. Analysis
13. A nurse reviews whether an outcome was achieved and adjusts the care plan. This is:
A. Explanation
B. Evaluation
C. Self-regulation
D. Inference
14. Which skill enables the nurse to justify actions with theory or evidence?
A. Inference
B. Analysis
C. Explanation
D. Assumption
15. A nurse monitors their own learning and improves future decisions. This reflects:
A. Inference
B. Intuition
C. Self-regulation
D. Evaluation
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Section D: Application in Clinical Scenarios
16. A patient with dementia becomes agitated at night. The nurse decides to reduce sensory input. This reflects:
A. Personal preference
B. Egocentric bias
C. Reasoned intervention based on inference
D. Lack of evaluation
17. A nurse assumes a patient is non-compliant because of missed medications without asking why. This reflects failure in:
A. Logic
B. Fairness
C. Precision
D. Significance
18. A nurse finds elevated potassium levels and immediately checks cardiac rhythm. This shows:
A. Ethical bias
B. Fair-mindedness
C. Clinical inference and judgment
D. Subjective decision-making
19. A nurse uses only her experience to judge a situation without considering the patient’s point of view. This is:
A. Precision
B. Sociocentric thinking
C. Depth of reasoning
D. Breadth
20. When a nurse delays treatment due to uncertainty but does not consult or research alternatives, it reflects:
A. Fair-mindedness
B. Cognitive flexibility
C. Critical thinking breakdown
D. Motivation to act
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Section E: Clinical Reasoning - The Five Rights
21. The “right cues” refer to:
A. Hospital protocols
B. Patient preferences
C. Data from assessment and reports
D. Emotional readiness
22. A nurse prioritizing a deteriorating patient over stable ones is applying:
A. Right action
B. Right patient
C. Right time
D. Right reason
23. Recognizing when to call the doctor and when to observe is applying:
A. Right cue
B. Right time
C. Right action
D. Right reason
24. Deciding to delegate dressing changes while monitoring a critical patient is:
A. Right action
B. Right reason
C. Right patient
D. Right cue
25. Choosing an intervention that aligns with legal and ethical standards represents:
A. Right time
B. Right patient
C. Right cue
D. Right reason
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Section F: Attitudes and Barriers
26. A nurse insists her experience outweighs new evidence-based practice. This is:
A. Innovation
B. Bias
C. Fairness
D. Evaluation
27. Which attribute supports critical thinking when usual interventions fail?
A. Flexibility
B. Habit
C. Rigidity
D. Dependence
28. A nurse who seeks to understand both patient and family concerns shows:
A. Impulsivity
B. Breadth and fairness
C. Precision
D. Irrelevance
29. Which of the following undermines critical thinking most in nursing?
A. Asking questions
B. Following evidence
C. Acting on prejudice or fear
D. Using intuition
30. A nurse who engages in self-reflection and accepts feedback is demonstrating:
A. Egocentrism
B. Perseverance
C. Self-regulation
D. Arrogance
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Section G: Advanced Scenario-Based Application
31. A nurse receives a handover about a patient with fever and altered mental status. What should the nurse do first?
A. Wait for lab results
B. Document vital signs only
C. Prioritize cues and assess urgently
D. Ask family about preferences
32. A new graduate nurse administers the wrong medication. A reflective debrief includes:
A. Assigning blame
B. Exploring assumptions and reasoning process
C. Reporting to social media
D. Avoiding future risk by refusing med passes
33. A nurse disagrees with a doctor’s plan but lacks evidence. The best next step is:
A. Confront aggressively
B. Find supporting data to discuss
C. Ignore and proceed
D. Call the nursing supervisor
34. A nurse teaches a patient about insulin without checking health literacy. This reflects failure in:
A. Clarity
B. Relevance
C. Fairness
D. Breadth
35. A student nurse uses a checklist during assessments but cannot explain why steps matter. This shows lack of:
A. Motivation
B. Explanation
C. Intuition
D. Innovation
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Section H: Integrative Thinking and Judgment
36. Which best illustrates significance in reasoning?
A. Focusing only on minor details
B. Identifying the most important aspects of a situation
C. Balancing viewpoints
D. Using exact terminology
37. Breadth in critical thinking is best demonstrated by:
A. Repeating past protocols
B. Considering only patient complaints
C. Acknowledging differing cultural or medical views
D. Memorizing drug guides
38. Logic in clinical reasoning requires:
A. Rapid intuition
B. Emotional comfort
C. Steps that lead coherently from evidence to conclusion
D. Supporting popular opinion
39. A nurse explains the rationale behind choosing a particular wound dressing. This is:
A. Interpretation
B. Inference
C. Explanation
D. Assumption
40. During discharge, the nurse reviews what was done and what could improve next time. This is an example of:
A. Intuition
B. Self-regulation
C. Action bias
D. Significance
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✅ ANSWER KEY
1. B
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. B
11. B
12. D
13. B
14. C
15. C
16. C
17. B
18. C
19. B
20. C
21. C
22. B
23. B
24. A
25. D
26. B
27. A
28. B
29. C
30. C
31. C
32. B
33. B
34. D
35. B
36. B
37. C
38. C
39. C
40. B