This document discusses critical thinking in the nursing profession. It defines critical thinking as disciplined, clear, rational, and evidence-based thinking. A critical thinker is open-minded, considers multiple viewpoints, seeks to be well-informed by evaluating credible sources, and can formulate plausible hypotheses. The document provides examples of when nurses use critical thinking, such as during assessments, making diagnoses, planning interventions, and solving problems that lack straightforward answers. It describes using critical thinking to individualize patient care by considering unique factors beyond just textbook information. Scenarios demonstrate applying critical thinking when prioritizing patients, maintaining independence, and managing risks.

1. Critical Thinking
in the Nursing Profession

2. “THE ESSENCE OF THE INDEPENDENT
MIND LIES NOT IN WHAT IT THINKS, BUT
IN HOW IT THINKS.”
- CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS

3. What is critical thinking?
Disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-
minded, and informed by evidence.
Self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which
attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in
a fair minded way.
Reasonable reflective thinking focused on
deciding what to believe or do.

4. What qualities do critical
thinkers posses?
Is open-minded and full of alternatives
Removes biases and considers points of
view that conflict with his or her own
Desires to be, and is, well informed
Judges well the credibility of sources
Asks appropriate clarifying questions
Can formulate a plausible hypothesis
A CRITICAL THINKER:

5. When would a nurse
use critical thinking?
While performing a nursing assessment
When making a nursing diagnosis
When planning a nursing intervention
When carrying out nursing specialties, like
case management and infection control
When they encounter a problem that
appears to have no straight forward
answer

6. Using Critical Thinking as a
Nurse to Problem Solve
The solution to a client health problem is not always
something one learns as a student while reading from a
textbook.
When a nurse solves a problem using critical thinking, he or
she digs beyond the information on the surface to uncover
possible components beneath that may help reveal the
answer.
They do not recycle the same information to every patient.
They give individualized care by taking factors from each
unique patient into consideration.

7. Scenarios in which a
Nurse Must Use Critical
Thinking!

8. Critical Thinking
When Prioritizing
PATIENT A: 84 YEAR OLD FEMALE ADMITTED WITH HIGH
GLUCOSE LEVELS; SHE NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH ADL’S AND
IS INCONTINENT.
PATIENT B: 45 YEAR OLD FEMALE ADMITTED WITH HIGH
FEVER; SHE NEEDS HER IV AND HER ANTIBIOTIC STARTED.
PATIENT C: 92 YEAR OLD FEMALE ADMITTED WITH
CONFUSION AND DEHYDRATION. SHE IS HUNGRY AND WANTS
TO TALK

9. Critical Thinking
To Be Independent
AN IRRITABLE, LOUD CLIENT COMES INTO ER
WITH A HIGH FEVER. THE NURSE HAS AN
ORDER FOR TYLENOL, AND THE CLIENT HAS
BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH NO ALLERGIES.

10. Critical Thinking
In Risk Management
A CLIENT HAS BEEN OUT OF SURGERY FOR 3
HOURS WITH A PAIN LEVEL OF 6 OUT OF 10.
NURSE IS TO ADMINISTER MORPHINE P.O., BUT
FIRST THE CLIENT ASKS FOR ASSISTANCE
USING RESTROOM. SHE HAS A VISITOR.

11. THE END!