Question

What is the primary reason the nurse needs to be a skilled critical thinker?

A. To earn promotions at work
B. To pass the nurse licensure exam
C. To graduate at the top of the class
D. To provide excellent patient care

Answer 1

D is the answer. To provide excellent patient care.

Answer 2

The primary reason a nurse must be a skilled critical thinker is to provide excellent patient care by making informed decisions about care, solving problems, and effectively communicating with patients and the healthcare team.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary reason a nurse needs to be a skilled critical thinker is D. To provide excellent patient care.

In the field of nursing, critical thinking is essential for assessing patients' needs, identifying their problems, and making informed and evidence-based decisions about their care.

The ability to evaluate information critically — assessing its reliability and usefulness — is paramount to ensuring patient safety and promoting optimal health outcomes.

Additionally, critical thinking in healthcare allows nurses to reflect critically on their own thinking, engage in a more analytic approach to patient care, and resist the urge to take mental shortcuts.

Nurses encounter complex situations daily that require both quick decisions and thoughtful consideration.

Developing critical thinking skills not only prepares nurses for providing high-quality care but also for complex clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and effective communication with patients and the healthcare team.