ATI Critical Thinking Practice Test 2

Question 1

A nurse reads a study claiming a new wound care product heals burns 50% faster. The study was funded by the product manufacturer and had only 12 participants. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Seek additional independent studies with larger sample sizes before changing practice

Answer

Critical thinking requires evaluating evidence quality. A small, industry-funded study needs corroboration from larger, independent research before changing clinical practice.

Question 2

A patient states: 'My grandmother smoked her whole life and lived to 95, so smoking cannot be that harmful.' This reasoning demonstrates which logical fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

Hasty generalization occurs when a broad conclusion is drawn from insufficient evidence — in this case, using one person's experience to negate established health risks.

Question 3

When prioritizing care for multiple patients, a nurse should primarily rely on which framework?

Accepted Answer

Using clinical assessment to identify the most urgent physiological needs

Answer

Clinical prioritization should be based on systematic assessment of physiological urgency, using frameworks like ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) or Maslow's hierarchy.

Question 4

A nursing team disagrees about the best approach to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Which action best demonstrates critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a review of current evidence and guidelines on infection prevention

Answer

Critical thinking involves basing decisions on evidence rather than seniority, popularity, or conflict avoidance.

Question 5

A patient's lab results show a critically low potassium level, but the patient reports feeling fine. What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Verify the lab results by checking for possible errors and reassessing the patient

Answer

Critical thinking requires verifying unexpected findings before acting. Lab errors occur, and hypokalemia can be asymptomatic initially while still posing cardiac risks.

HESI (ATI) Practice Test

HESI (ATI) Practice Test

ATI Critical Thinking Practice Test 2