Critical thinking and the nursing process have which of the following in common? Both:
A. Are important to use in nursing practice.
B. Use an ordered series of steps.
C. Are patient-specific processes.
D. Were developed specifically for nursing.
Correct Answer: A. Are important to use in nursing practice.
Nurses make many decisions: some require using the nursing process, whereas others are not client related but require critical thinking. Neither is linear. Critical thinking applies to any discipline. n 1958, Ida Jean Orlando started the nursing process that still guides nursing care today. Defined as a systematic approach to care using the fundamental principles of critical thinking, client-centered approaches to treatment, goal-oriented tasks, evidence-based practice (EDP) recommendations, and nursing intuition. Holistic and scientific postulates are integrated to provide the basis for compassionate, quality-based care.
Option B: The nursing process has specific steps; critical thinking does not. The nursing process functions as a systematic guide to client-centered care with 5 sequential steps. These are assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Option C: The utilization of the nursing process to guide care is clinically significant going forward in this dynamic, complex world of patient care. Aging populations carry with them a multitude of health problems and inherent risks of missed opportunities to spot a life-altering condition.
Option D: Critical thinking skills will play a vital role as we develop plans of care for these patient populations with multiple comorbidities and embrace this challenging healthcare arena. Thus, the trend towards concept-based curriculum changes will assist us in the navigation of these uncharted waters.