A client has had a nonhealing wound for a period of time. The home hea

A client has had a nonhealing wound for a period of time. The home health nurse decides to implement a variety of wound care products to see if any of them work. Each day, the nurse switches to a different brand or product.

In this situation, the nurse is utilizing which method of problem solving?
1. Intuition
2. Scientific method
3. Research process
4. Trial and error

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Trial and error is solving problems by utilizing a number of approaches. Trial-and-error methods can be dangerous in nursing because the client might suffer harm if an approach is inappropriate. In this case, the client may not suffer harm, but there will be no way to know if one product used is effective since the nurse is changing them on a daily basis. Intuition is the learning of things without conscious use of reasoning—also known as the sixth sense, hunch, or instinct. Scientific method and research process are both formalized, systematic, and logical approaches to solving problems.