Exam 9: Thinking Critically, Making Decisions, Solving Problems

The nurse manager is calculating the cost of offering two bonus incentives to nursing staff for covering call-ins for sickness. After reviewing the statistics, the manager finds that option A is more cost-effective than option B but decides to implement option B because it seems safer. Which option best describes the basis of this decision?

Which statement describes the primary difference between group and individual decision making, besides the number of individuals involved? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Currently, clients on a unit are bathed in the morning between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The nursing staff is contemplating changing that routine to bathing clients in the evening between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Which statement reflects an underlying assumption that might affect the staff's ability to think critically about this change? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

The nurse manager needs to cover vacation shifts and must decide whether to use agency nurses or the PRN nursing pool. The manager must decide between the two choices. Decision making includes which steps? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A newly promoted nurse manager would like staff to solve problems without relying on preconceived ideas. How should the manager role-model this ability?

A group of nurses has been convened to solve a problem. As the first step in this process, the group leader asks for a definition of the problem to be solved. Which statement reflects the best problem statement?

Which situation requires an adaptive decision?

Which statement indicates understanding how a nurse could improve personal decision-making skills?

A nurse on a mission trip needs a urinary catheter for an infant. The nurse only has a pediatric feeding tube and must think creatively. The nurse knows the creative process includes which stages? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Which action by the nurse manager is a demonstration of satisficing?

The nurse has determined that in order to provide the highest quality care it is important to become more creative. What is the most effective way for the nurse to increase creativity?

At the beginning of a brainstorming session, the manager lists the rules to be followed. Which rule should be included and enforced?

The nurse manager generally uses a stepwise method to arrive at decisions that are logical and that serve to maximize the achievement of the desired objective. Which decision-making model does this manager use?

A nurse manager is committed to establishing an environment that supports critical thinking and creativity. What strategies would help in this effort? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A serious disagreement has arisen between two staff nurses. The unit manager elects not to make a decision regarding the disagreement until more evidence is collected. Which part of the nursing process does this manager's critical thinking reflect?

A newly licensed nurse working on a unit committee challenges every detail of a proposal the committee is developing. How should other committee members interpret this behavior?

Although the postoperative assessment of a client reveals no abnormalities, the nurse believes the client's condition is deteriorating and orders frequent vital signs. This intervention was made on the basis of which type of problem solving? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Which statements by a nurse in the emergency department are examples of groupthink? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

The nurse manager has scheduled a series of meetings with employees to solve a unit problem. The manager purposefully created a two-week gap in the meetings to allow which portion of the creative process to occur?

Which statements exemplify the attributes of critical thinking essential to nurses? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.