Which of the following nursing actions is the best example of problem solving?

Question

1. Requesting the IV team to start an antibiotic drip on a client with a history of be-ing a difficult stick
2. Offering to call the kitchen to provide an alternate breakfast for a client who does not like cooked cereal
3. Trying several difficult wound dressings to determine which one the client can apply the most effectively
4. Calling for another pain medication order when the current drug results in the client experiencing nausea

Answer 1

ANS: 3
This is an example of the critical thinking strategy of problem solving. The nurse gathers infor-mation by using several different products and then uses this information to determine which will work best for the client. Effective problem solving involves the examination of alternatives. While requesting the IV team solves a problem, there is little critical thinking needed because it would be understood that the IV team would be called under these circumstances. Although calling the kitchen solves a problem, there is little critical thinking needed because it would be understood that the kitchen would be called under these circumstances. Calling for another pain medication order solves a problem, but there is little critical thinking needed because it would be understood that the provider would be called for a new drug order under these circumstances.