Question

The nurse is reviewing the last 3 days of a patient's pain history and notes that the pain level has remained constant. The nurse validates the pain level with the patient and decides to contact the physician for further orders. In this scenario the nurse is using the process of:

A. decision making.
B. reasoning.
C. problem solving.
D. judgment.

Answer 1

The nurse in the scenario is engaging in problem solving by identifying consistent pain levels as a problem and contacting the physician for further orders as a solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given scenario, the nurse is reviewing a patient's pain history using an assessment tool and then validating this information with the patient. The nurse's decision to contact the physician for further orders reflects the use of critical thinking skills which involve elements of problem solving, reasoning, and clinical judgment. The nurse is evaluating the patient's consistent pain levels, considering potential implications, and deciding on an appropriate course of action, which in this case involves communicating with the physician for possible changes in the patient's care plan.

The process being described involves aspects of all the options provided: decision making, reasoning, and judgment. However, given the context where the nurse is responding to a clear indication (constant pain) and is initiating a change in the plan of care, the most suitable option would be C. problem solving. The nurse has identified a problem (consistent pain) and is taking steps to solve it by reaching out to the physician.

Last, it is important to consider the complex dynamic between symptoms such as pain, which are subjective, and the objective measures used in healthcare settings to quantify them. Tools like the pain assessment scale aim to bridge the gap between patient-reported experiences and measurable clinical data.