Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process
deWit: Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts & Practice, 3rd Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which foundational behavior is necessary for effective critical thinking?
a. Unshakable beliefs and values
b. An open attitude
c. An ability to disregard evidence inc...
Chapter 02: Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process
deWit: Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts & Practice, 3rd Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which foundational behavior is necessary for effective critical thinking?
a. Unshakable beliefs and values
b. An open attitude
c. An ability to disregard evidence inconsistent with set goals
d. An ability to recognize the perfect solution
ANS: B
An open attitude not clouded by unshakable beliefs and values or preset goals allows the
application of critical thinking. Acceptance that there may not be a perfect solution leaves the
field open to new ideas.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 16, Box 2-1
OBJ: 2 (theory) TOP: Factors Influencing Critical Thinking
KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. Which fundamental belief underscores the basis of the nursing process?
a. Recognition that basic needs must be met by the individual without assistance.
b. Acknowledgment that patients and families appreciate an efficient health care
system that functions without their input.
c. A focus on disease control as the most important aspect of patient care.
d. Recognition that all people have worth and dignity.
ANS: D
The nursing process is based on the belief that all people have worth and dignity. Patient-
centered care that is applied to all aspects of the patient’s health, and is not just disease
oriented, is appreciated by the family and patient. Holistic care approach can support the
patient to meet basic needs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 17
OBJ: 5 (theory) TOP: Basic Beliefs Pertinent to the Nursing Process
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Coordinated Care
3. The nurse is assessing a new patient who complains of his chest feeling tight. The patient
displays a temperature of 100° F and an oxygen saturation of 89%, and expectorates frothy
mucus. Which finding is an example of subjective data?
a. Temperature
b. Oxygen saturation
c. Frothy mucus
d. Chest tightness
ANS: D
Subjective data is information given by the patient that cannot be measured otherwise. The
other data are considered objective data. Objective data are pieces of information that can be
measured by the examiner. The nurse should avoid making judgments or conclusions when
obtaining data.
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 18
OBJ: 8 (clinical) TOP: Assessment Data
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Coordinated Care
4. The nurse is caring for a newly admitted patient who is describing his recent symptoms to the
nurse. This scenario is an example of which type of source?
a. Primary
b. Objective
c. Secondary
d. Complete
ANS: A
The patient is the primary source of information. Objective refers to a type of data obtained by
the nurse that is measured or can be verified through assessment techniques, secondary
information is obtained from relatives or significant others, and information is not necessarily
complete when the patient is the source.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 19
OBJ: 8 (clinical) TOP: Sources of Information
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Coordinated Care
5. The nurse is performing an intake interview on a new resident to the long-term care facility.
The nurse detects the odor of acetone from the patient’s breath. Which term accurately
describes this assessment?
a. Inspection
b. Observation
c. Auscultation
d. Olfaction
ANS: D
Olfaction is an assessment method of smells. Inspection and observation use the sense of
vision. Auscultation refers to use of the sense of hearing.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 20
OBJ: 9 (clinical) TOP: Olfaction KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. During a morning assessment, the nurse observes that the patient displays significant edema
of both feet and ankles. Which statement best documents these findings?
a. Pitting edema present in both feet and ankles
b. Edema in both feet and ankles approximately 4 mm deep
c. 4 mm pitting edema quickly resolving
d. Bilateral pitting edema in feet and ankles, 4 mm deep, resolving in 3 seconds
ANS: D
Edema should be recorded as to location, depth of pitting, and time for resolution.
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller tinahmasterall. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.59. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
