Question 1

The nurse is using critical thinking skills to decide which of several options is the best. Which question is most important for the nurse to take into consideration?

Accepted Answer

A)  Are there different situational effects or contexts to be considered? 
B)  How has the problem usually been handled? 
C)  What is the easiest and least expensive alternative? 
D)  Can the problem be solved using the nursing process?

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Calling local beverage distributors to inquire about service pricing 
B)  Asking all employees to write down their ideas about a solution 
C)  Determining what type of drinks most clients might want 
D)  Encouraging clients to bring a drink from home

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Investigate what has already been tried to solve the issue. 
B)  Brainstorm about potential solutions. 
C)  Gather information to define the problem. 
D)  Categorize information in order of reliability.

Question 4

The nurse manager is challenged to find an innovative way to adequately staff the unit and provide quality nursing care. Which ability would be most useful to the nurse in this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Creativity 
B)  Problem solving 
C)  Brainstorming 
D)  Decision making

Question 5

Which statement by the formal leader of a nursing unit reflects the personality required to energize the staff and promote creativity? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  "I would like to change the format we use for shift report, but I'm afraid it would upset staff members who have been here a long time." 
B)  "This is the decision I have made, and there is no room for discussion." 
C)  "I would like to thank everyone for your hard work and dedication while we have been short staffed." 
D)  "I am certain that our new assignment system is going to make the workload more equitable." 
E)  "I know this week has been rough. I feel a little like sandpaper myself."

Question 6

Part of the facility's performance evaluation is based on the nurse's strength in the three types of decisions. During a nurse manager's performance evaluation, the supervisor says, "You are very good at adaptive decisions, but you need to be more precise in routine decisions. When the situation calls for really innovative decisions, you do not seem sure of yourself." How should the manager interpret this information? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  "I am not following the policies and rules well." 
B)  "I should review the procedure manual." 
C)  "I'm good at using my previous experiences to guide my decisions." 
D)  "I am strongest in making decisions when the problems are very unusual or unclear." 
E)  "I make good decisions when the situation is novel."

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

A)  Group problem solving 
B)  Critical thinking 
C)  Groupthink 
D)  Satisficing

Question 8

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  There is risk associated with the decision. 
B)  The alternatives are known. 
C)  The conditions of each alternative are clear. 
D)  Possible consequences of alternatives are not known. 
E)  The decision is complex and dynamic.

Question 9

A nurse manager's supervisor reports that many staff members have complained about the manager's rigidity. What situations reflect this rigidity? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  The manager has historically used trial and error as a decision-making strategy. 
B)  The manager takes unnecessary risks when staffing the unit. 
C)  The manager is not concerned when staff members arrive late to work. 
D)  The manager uses old ways of thinking to solve the day-to-day issues of the unit. 
E)  The manager does not consider the advice of the assistant manager when making a decision.

Question 10

A nurse believes that milk is part of the healthy adult's diet. The nurse frequently offers milk to adults as a between-meal beverage. This action is based on which concept?

Accepted Answer

A)  Evidence 
B)  An underlying assumption 
C)  An alternative perspective 
D)  An inquiring attitude

Question 11

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Allow some time to pass to see if the situation resolves. 
B)  Support both nurses as they work through this issue. 
C)  Provide any resources the nurses may need to help solve the problem. 
D)  Intervene if the problem begins to impact client care. 
E)  Ignore the situation.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Obtain funding for a simulation mannequin. 
B)  Write standardized scripts for volunteers who will portray clients. 
C)  Add more information to existing care plans as the study unfolds. 
D)  Assign client care debate topics to teams of three or four students.

Exam 9: Thinking Critically, Making Decisions, Solving Problems