Chapter 1. What are Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Judgment? Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 1. Which of the following characteristics do the various definitions of critical thinking have in common? Critical thinking 1) Requires reasoned thought 2) Asks the questions why? or how? 3) Is a hierarchical process 4) Demands specialized thinking skills ANS: 1 The definitions listed in the text as well as definitions in Box 2-1 state that critical thinking requires reasoning or reasoned thinking. Critical thinking is neither linear nor hierarchical. That means that the steps involved in critical thinking are not necessarily sequential, where mastery of one step is necessary to proceed to the next. Critical thinking is a purposeful, dynamic, analytic process that contributes to reasoned decisions and sound contextual judgments. PTS:1DIF:Moderate high-level question, answer not stated verbatim KEY: Nursing process: N/A | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Analysis 2. A few nurses on a unit have proposed to the nurse manager that the process for documenting care on the unit be changed. They have described a completely new system. Why is it important for the nurse manager to have a critical attitude? It will help the manager to 1) Consider all the possible advantages and disadvantages 2) Maintain an open mind about the proposed change 3) Apply the nursing process to the situation 4) Make a decision based on past experience with documentation ANS: 2 A critical attitude enables the person to think fairly and keep an open mind. PTS:1DIF:ModerateKEY: Nursing process: N/A | Client need: SECE | Cognitive level: Comprehension