Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. ____ 1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical–surgical unit. The licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) assesses the patient experiencing a low blood glucose first. Which process was needed to make this decision? 1. Application of clinical judgment 2. Recommendation of the registered nurse (RN) 3. Understanding of what regulates blood glucose levels 4. Knowing the patient’s past medical history ANS: 1 Chapter: Chapter 1. Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and the Nursing Process Objective: 7. Explain the difference between critical thinking and clinical judgment. Page: 2 Heading: Clinical Judgment Integrated Process: Clinical Problem-Solving Process (Nursing Process) Client Need: SECE: Coordinated Care Cognitive Level: Comprehension [Understanding] Concept: Clinical Judgment Difficulty: Difficult Feedback 1 Clinical judgment is the observed outcome of critical thinking and decision making. The nurse identified the patient at high risk and decided to assess this person first. 2 The LPN/LVN needs to make clinical decisions independently from the RN. 3 Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease does not determine how decisions are made. 4 Past medical history is important, but the current clinical cues will determine prioritized nursing actions.