Critical Thinking Flashcards
6 cards from real NEX practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Critical Thinking flashcards as text
A nurse notices a patient's blood pressure has dropped significantly after starting a new medication. What is the most appropriate first critical thinking step?
Answer: Assess the patient's overall condition and vital signs
The first step in critical thinking is thorough assessment. Before taking action, the nurse must gather complete data by evaluating the patient's overall condition, including all vital signs and symptoms.
Which critical thinking skill involves recognizing that personal beliefs may influence clinical judgment?
Answer: Self-regulation
Self-regulation is the critical thinking skill that involves examining one's own biases, assumptions, and reasoning processes to ensure objectivity in clinical judgment.
A patient reports severe chest pain, but their diagnostic tests are all normal. Using critical thinking, what should the nurse consider?
Answer: Pain is subjective and the patient's report should be taken seriously
Critical thinking requires nurses to recognize that pain is a subjective experience and that diagnostic tests have limitations. The patient's self-report of pain should always be taken seriously and investigated further.
Which of the following best demonstrates the critical thinking disposition of intellectual courage?
Answer: Challenging a physician's order that appears to contradict evidence-based practice
Intellectual courage means being willing to challenge ideas, even from authority figures, when evidence suggests a different course of action, particularly when patient safety may be at risk.
When evaluating a research article for evidence-based practice, which question is MOST important for critical analysis?
Answer: Does the study have a large sample size and appropriate methodology?
The methodological rigor of a study, including sample size, design appropriateness, and statistical validity, is the most important factor in evaluating research quality.
A nursing student is prioritizing care for four patients. Which approach best demonstrates critical thinking in priority-setting?
Answer: Using Maslow's hierarchy and the ABCs to identify the most urgent needs
Using established prioritization frameworks like Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) demonstrates systematic critical thinking in determining which patients need immediate attention.