1. What is “critical thinking”?
Critical thinking is a dynamic,
purposeful, analytic process that results in
reasoned decisions and judgments.

2. What is Critical Thinking?
dynamic(active, self-motivated, vigorous),
purposeful (focused, persistent, resolute)
analytic(investigative, systematic, logical) process
reasoned (intelligent, logical, shrewdness) decisions
judgments (finding, conclusion, assessment).

3. Critical Thinking
Interpretation is the ability to understand and identify problems
First step is to identify the problem
Second step is to understand what is taking place
Patient is short of breath. . .

4. Critical Thinking
Analysis is the ability to examine, organize, classify, categorize, differentiate, and prioritize variables.
Nursing Assessment
Differential Diagnosis (What things could be causing this problem?)
What should I do first?
#1 –Life threatening
#2 – Important but not life threatening
#3 – Could wait if necessary

5. Critical Thinking
Evaluation is the ability to assess the credibility, significance, and applicability of sources of information necessary to support conclusions
In the test-taking setting: looking at all the evidence presented in the question
In the clinical setting: Do I have all of the information (physical assess’mt, labs, history)

6. Critical Thinking
Inference is the ability to formulate hypotheses or draw conclusions based on the evidence.
I can infer that my patient is having difficulty breathing and is hypoxic because:
my patient has a hx of COPD
he is frantically trying to adjust his O2 tank( inadvertently turned off)
his SPO2 IS 88%
his skin color is ashen
he displays telegraphic speech  

7. Critical Thinking
Explanation refers to the ability to explain the assumptions that lead to the conclusions reached.
Be able to explain why you reached the conclusion
Accept that you may not always be correct

8. Critical Thinking
Self-regulation indicates the ability for self-examination and self-correction
Learn from other people
Learn from your mistakes
Take action to do the right thing
Research the areas in which your are weakest

9. Critical Thinking
The critical thinker is characterized by open-mindedness, flexibility, rationality, inquisitiveness, intuitiveness, and reflection.
“My responses are limited. You must ask the right questions. . .”
I,Robot
A sick patient won’t be able to diagnose their own problem, even if they’re a doctor.

10. STEP #1
After a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, the nurse should perform all of the following interventions except:

11. STEP #2
After you have read the question and understand what is being asked you should:
Cover/ ignore the answers!
Think about what you know about this subject—
Tonsil removal, adenoid removal
What are the problems associated with this surgery?
What is related to patient safety?
What is the #1 priority?

12. Step #3
Read the answers
Decide what you know cannot be the correct answer (usually 2 of them are way off)
Look at the two possibly correct answers
prevention of a life threatening complication
top priority in a nursing skill

13. DOL disclaimer
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