The nurse is reviewing the last 3 days of a patient's pain history and notes that the pain level has remained constant. The nurse validates the pain level with the patient and decides to contact the physician for further orders

In this scenario the nurse is using the process of:
a.
decision making.
b.
reasoning.
c.
problem solving.
d.
judgment.


ANS: D
Processes dependent on critical thinking include problem solving, decision making, reasoning, and judgment. Judgment is the process of forming an opinion by comparing solutions through reasoning. The nurse observes that the patient's pain level is not decreasing and further assesses the pain level through discussions with the patient. The nurse concludes that the patient's pain should be further addressed and contacts the physician. Decision making requires choosing a solution to a problem. The student is making a decision by reviewing two pertinent resources related to the removal of staples. Reasoning is the process by which a nurse determines a patient's health status after gathering data and applying meaning to behaviors and physical signs and symptoms. A systematic approach in finding solutions is termed problem solving.

Nursing

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