W&H 7e TB01-1
Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical–surgical unit. The licensed practical
nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) assesses the patient experiencing a low blood glucose
first. Which process was needed to make this decision?
1. Application of clinical judgment
2. Recommendation of the registered nurse (RN)
3. Understanding of what regulates blood glucose levels
4. Knowing the patient’s past medical history
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Objective: 7. Explain the difference between critical thinking and clinical judgment.
Page: 2
Heading: Clinical Judgment
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)
Client Need: SECE: Coordinated Care
Cognitive Level: Comprehension [Understanding]
Concept: Clinical Judgment
Difficulty: Difficult
Feedback
1 Clinical judgment is the observed outcome of critical thinking and decision
making. The nurse identified the patient at high risk and decided to assess this
person first.
2 The LPN/LVN needs to make clinical decisions independently from the RN.
3 Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease does not determine how
decisions are made.
4 Past medical history is important, but the current clinical cues will determine
prioritized nursing actions.
PTS: 1
CON: Patient-Centered Care
, W&H 7e TB01-2
____ 2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells, “I asked 5 minutes ago for my
pain medication. You’re so worthless!” Which action by the nurse demonstrates intellectual
integrity?
1. Refusing to share details of the interaction with colleagues
2. Responding to the patient that the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) did not
communicate the information
3. Refusing to provide care for the patient
4. Getting the medication without saying another word
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Objective: 4. Describe attitudes of good critical thinkers.
Page: 3
Heading: Critical Thinking Attitudes
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 This action demonstrates intellectual integrity, as the nurse refuses to speak
poorly about a patient’s behavior.
2 This action does not allow for accountability and places blame.
3 This action does not demonstrate the attitudes of critical thinking.
4 Nurses should not allow patients to demean them. The nurse should tell the
patient that they now have the opportunity to obtain the medication and will do
so.
PTS: 1
CON: Communication
____ 3. The nurse is collecting data on a patient. Which data is considered cues?
1. Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
2. The doctor will be at the agency in 5 minutes
3. The patient has three daughters
4. The client prefers to use a bedpan rather than a commode chair
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Objective: 2. Discuss why critical thinking and clinical judgment are essential in nursing.
Page: 4
Heading: Clinical Judgment Process
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)
Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical–surgical unit. The licensed practical
nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) assesses the patient experiencing a low blood glucose
first. Which process was needed to make this decision?
1. Application of clinical judgment
2. Recommendation of the registered nurse (RN)
3. Understanding of what regulates blood glucose levels
4. Knowing the patient’s past medical history
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Objective: 7. Explain the difference between critical thinking and clinical judgment.
Page: 2
Heading: Clinical Judgment
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)
Client Need: SECE: Coordinated Care
Cognitive Level: Comprehension [Understanding]
Concept: Clinical Judgment
Difficulty: Difficult
Feedback
1 Clinical judgment is the observed outcome of critical thinking and decision
making. The nurse identified the patient at high risk and decided to assess this
person first.
2 The LPN/LVN needs to make clinical decisions independently from the RN.
3 Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease does not determine how
decisions are made.
4 Past medical history is important, but the current clinical cues will determine
prioritized nursing actions.
PTS: 1
CON: Patient-Centered Care
, W&H 7e TB01-2
____ 2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells, “I asked 5 minutes ago for my
pain medication. You’re so worthless!” Which action by the nurse demonstrates intellectual
integrity?
1. Refusing to share details of the interaction with colleagues
2. Responding to the patient that the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) did not
communicate the information
3. Refusing to provide care for the patient
4. Getting the medication without saying another word
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Objective: 4. Describe attitudes of good critical thinkers.
Page: 3
Heading: Critical Thinking Attitudes
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 This action demonstrates intellectual integrity, as the nurse refuses to speak
poorly about a patient’s behavior.
2 This action does not allow for accountability and places blame.
3 This action does not demonstrate the attitudes of critical thinking.
4 Nurses should not allow patients to demean them. The nurse should tell the
patient that they now have the opportunity to obtain the medication and will do
so.
PTS: 1
CON: Communication
____ 3. The nurse is collecting data on a patient. Which data is considered cues?
1. Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
2. The doctor will be at the agency in 5 minutes
3. The patient has three daughters
4. The client prefers to use a bedpan rather than a commode chair
ANS: 1
Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process
Objective: 2. Discuss why critical thinking and clinical judgment are essential in nursing.
Page: 4
Heading: Clinical Judgment Process
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)
