Chapter 1. Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process

Davis Advantage for Understanding Medical-Surgical Nursing (7th Edition 2024) Williams

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which patient should

the licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) assess first?

1. A patient with a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL

2. A patient who reports a pain level of 2

3. A patient who has just received a diagnosis of cancer

4. A patient who has a respiratory rate of 22

ANS: 1

Chapter: Chapter 1 Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process

Objective: 7. Prioritize patient care activities based on the Maslow hierarchy of human

needs.

Pages: 6–7

Heading: Prioritize Care

Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process)

Client Need: SECE—Coordinated Care

Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]

Concept: Patient-Centered Care

Difficulty: Difficult

Feedback

1 This patient has a dangerously low blood glucose level and requires immediate

intervention.

2 This patient will need to be assessed, but is not as high a priority.

3 According to Maslow, psychosocial needs are not as high of a priority as

physiological needs.

4 A respiratory rate of 22 is within normal range.

PTS: 1 CON: Patient-Centered Care

2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells, “I asked 5 minutes ago

for my pain medication. I’m going to call the CEO of the hospital if you don’t get it for me

now.” Which statement by the nurse demonstrates intellectual empathy?

1. “We are short-staffed today, so it will take me longer to meet your needs.”

2. “I am sorry you had to wait, I know you must be in a lot of pain.”

3. “I had another patient who had severe pain, and I had to get to them first.”

4. “I will get you the number for the CEO, but he is aware of how busy we are.”

ANS: 2

Chapter: Chapter 1 Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process

Objective: 2. Describe attitudes and skills that promote good critical thinking

Page: 2

Heading: Intellectual Empathy

Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation

Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity