FOUNDATIONS
OF CRITICAL THINKING
OF CRITICAL THINKING
What type of thinking is an active, orderly reasoning process that guides nursing judgment?
Critical thinking
What is the purposeful thinking back on a situation to gain insight called?
Reflection
Which level relies heavily on rules and expert direction?
Basic critical thinking
Which component comes from nursing education and evidence‑based practice?
Knowledge
Which attitude reflects taking calculated chances for better solutions?
Risk‑taking
What process leads nurses to choose actions or interventions based on clinical judgment?
Clinical reasoning
Which component of critical thinking focuses on clear, precise communication?
Language
A nurse adapts care when a client fears missing a phone call. Which level is this?
Complex critical thinking
Which component develops through reflection on repeated client interactions?
Experience
Remaining objective and nonjudgmental reflects which attitude?
Fairness
Which sciences contribute to the nursing knowledge base used for critical thinking?
Biological, social, and physical sciences (including pathophysiology)
What inner sensing prompts a nurse to search for more data despite a lack of evidence?
Intuition
Which level reflects increased autonomy and flexible thinking?
Complex critical thinking
Applying the nursing process to make judgments reflects which component?
Competence
Continuing to work through a problem until resolved shows what attitude?
Perseverance
What thinking skill pulls pieces of data together to determine relationships?
Inference
Asking “Did the plan of care achieve optimal outcomes?” is an example of which concept?
Reflection
A nurse independently increases IV fluids for hypovolemic shock. Identify the level.
Commitment
Recognizing cues and incorporating intuition is associated with which component?
Experience
A nurse admits limitations and seeks help. Identify the attitude.
Humility
Why does critical thinking discourage single‑focused solutions?
Because complex client problems require multiple perspectives and alternatives to achieve optimal outcomes
Why must intuition always be followed by data validation?
Because intuition alone is not evidence‑based and must be confirmed or disproven with objective data
Which level reflects expert knowledge and full responsibility for decisions?
Commitment
Which component reflects proficient psychomotor skill performance?
Competence
Using imagination to solve unique client problems reflects which attitude?
Creativity