Critical Thinking and Health Assessment

Introduction

• Presenter: Professor D
• Audience: New and graduating nursing students, those studying for boards
• Purpose: Importance of basics in nursing for tests and board exams
• Support Request:
  • Like, subscribe, share video
  • Check audio lessons on nexusnursinginstitute.com
  • Engage on social media (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook)
• Prayer: For understanding, retention, critical thinking, support systems, and success in nursing

Critical Thinking in Nursing

Definitions and Concepts

• Process of Critical Thinking: Purposeful, informed reasoning, reflection in clinical situations
  • Example Question: Using critical thinking to solve clinical problems
  • Wrong Choices: Clinical judgment, decision making, problem solving
  • Correct Answer: Critical thinking involves informed reasoning from multiple sources

Importance in Nursing

• Question Example: Importance of sound decisions using critical thinking
  • Correct Answer: Because most clients have problems without textbook answers (flexibility required)
  • Eliminated Choices: Efficiency, predictable situations, speedy responses not primary reasons

Competency Levels

• Scenario: Experienced nurse floated to ICU
  • Correct Answer: Novice (inexperienced in ICU environment despite overall experience)
  • Competency Levels: Advanced beginner, competent, proficient, expert

Rapid Recognition and Response

• Scenario: Nurse notes subtle changes in ICU patient
  • Correct Answer: Expert (quick action on subtle changes)
  • Explanation: Differences between advanced beginner, competent, proficient, expert in response time

Evidence-Based Practice

• Scenario: Confirming placement of a feeding tube
  • Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice (using proven research)

Critical Thinking Characteristics

• Scenario: Identifying flexible and logical thinking
  • Correct Answer: Alfaro's attitudes and characteristics of a critical thinker
  • Incorrect Choices: Benner’s model, Hawk’s model (non-existent), Universal intellectual standards

Practical Scenarios

• Medication Administration Flexibility
  • Correct Answer: Nurse being flexible/logical in timing medication with food
  • Wrong Choices: Medical error, needing doctor, forcing immediate intake
• Information Exchange
  • Select All That Apply: Assessments, documentation, medications, treatments important to discuss; lunch break not priority

Data Verification

• Scenario: Unreliable client data
  • Correct Answer: Find and question a secondary source (family, spouse)
  • Wrong Choices: Ask again, confront, ask another nurse

Cultural Competency

• Scenario: Assessing hypertension risk in African-American clients
  • Correct Answer: Using valid research data for targeted questions
  • Wrong Choices: Generalization, bias, stereotyping

Comprehensive Pain Assessment

• Scenario: Post-op pain complaint
  • Correct Answer: Complete assessment of pain (B)
  • Explanation: Umbrella question includes specific information (last medication, type of pain, etc.)

Health History During Admission

• Scenario: Using electronic health record
  • Correct Answer: Verify information with client
  • Wrong Choices: Blindly copying data, not using electronic record, saving time

Emergencies and Immediate Needs

• Scenario: Emergency surgery preparation
  • Correct Steps (Select All That Apply): Assess current status, pertinent data collection, thorough relevant info collection, updating database when possible
  • Wrong Choices: Gathering entire health history not necessary in emergency situation

Engaging with Audience

• Conclusion:
  • Request for feedback and suggestions for further content
  • Encouragement to engage in comments section and support through likes, shares, and subscriptions
  • Reminder of available resources on website and other social media platforms

Thank you and Next Steps: Continued engagement and further educational content