Exam 8: Thinking Critically, Making Decisions, Solving Problems

A nurse manager is committed to establishing an environment that supports critical thinking and creativity. What strategies would help in this effort?

A nursing task force has been created to determine whether a new model of differentiated practice would be more effective than the current model. The task force analyzes data as a basis to examine alternatives. Which activity does this represent?

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?

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

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

The nursing faculty would like to incorporate problem-based learning into the curriculum. Which action is essential?

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?

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?

Which statements by a nurse in the emergency department are examples of groupthink?

A nurse manager who is retiring is helping the new manager learn about the position. As part of this education, the current manager has the new manager make all decisions that can be made under certainty. What conditions will these decisions have in common?

Currently clients on a unit are bathed in the morning between 8:00 am and 11:00 am. The nursing staff is contemplating changing that routine to bathing clients in the evening between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Which statement reflects an underlying assumption that might affect the staff's ability to think critically about this change?

A disagreement has arisen between two staff nurses. Both have discussed the situation with the manager. The manager feels that that problem is likely self-solving. How should the manager approach this situation?

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

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

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 nurse working in a rehabilitation center notices clients frequently asking for something to drink. Which response indicates the use of creativity in finding a solution to this problem?

Which statement by the formal leader of a nursing unit reflects the personality required to energize the staff and promote creativity?

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?

Which situation requires an adaptive decision?

The nursing group has been charged with the task of solving a patient care problem on the units. Which step should this group take first in this process?