Question

Critical thinking is of most value to the nurse who is doing what?

A. Performing a procedure by following the steps in the procedure manual
B. Making decisions about how to handle a patient-based situation
C. Documenting patient care delivered over the past hour.
D. Holding the hand of a dying patient who is alone.

Answer 1

Critical thinking is most valuable for a nurse when making decisions about how to handle patient-based situations, as it demands comprehensive analysis and informed judgment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Critical thinking is a fundamental skill for nurses as it involves the ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate situations to make informed decisions. Among the given options, critical thinking is of most value to the nurse when B. Making decisions about how to handle a patient-based situation. This requires a deep understanding of the clinical scenario, considering both the evidence at hand and the ethical, practical, and patient-centered aspects of care. In contrast, following a procedure from a manual, documenting care, or providing comfort to a dying patient—while important—do not typically involve the same level of complex decision-making that critical thinking entails.