NEX Critical Thinking 3

Question 1

Which cognitive bias occurs when a nurse forms an early impression of a patient and ignores subsequent contradictory information?

Accepted Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Anchoring bias occurs when a person relies too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the anchor) and fails to adequately adjust their assessment based on new information.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly becomes anxious and restless. Critical thinking requires the nurse to first consider which possibility?

Accepted Answer

The patient may be experiencing a physiological complication

Answer

Critical thinking requires ruling out physiological causes first when a patient exhibits sudden behavioral changes, as restlessness and anxiety can be early signs of serious complications like hemorrhage, hypoxia, or pulmonary embolism.

Question 3

What is the purpose of using a SBAR communication framework in nursing?

Accepted Answer

To provide structured, clear communication during handoffs and urgent situations

Answer

SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) provides a standardized framework for clear, concise communication between healthcare providers, particularly during handoffs and when reporting changes in patient condition.

Question 4

Which level of Bloom's Taxonomy does a nursing student demonstrate when they create a new care plan by integrating knowledge from multiple courses?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis/Create

Answer

Creating a new care plan by combining and integrating knowledge from multiple sources represents the synthesis/create level of Bloom's Taxonomy, which is the highest cognitive level involving the generation of new ideas or products.

Question 5

A nurse is unsure about a medication dosage calculation. Which action best demonstrates critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Looking up the dosage range, recalculating, and consulting with pharmacy if discrepancy remains

Answer

The best critical thinking approach combines multiple verification strategies: independent research, recalculation, and consultation with pharmacological experts to resolve the uncertainty safely.

(NEX) Nursing Entrance Exam Practice Test

(NEX) Nursing Entrance Exam Practice Test

NEX Critical Thinking 3