Which of the following situations is the best example of a nurse using

Which of the following situations is the best example of a nurse using intellectual standards as a critical thinking tool?

1. Performing a head-to-toe assessment on a new admission
2. Placing a client experiencing shortness of breath on oxygen
3. Arbitrating a complaint between roommates over the television
4. Notifying a provider of a client’s allergy to an ordered medication

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Use of the intellectual standard of critical thinking implies that the nurse approaches nursing care logically, consistently, and appropriately. This option reflects the use of such standards in a situa-tion that addresses client distress. While performing a head-to-toe assessment is an example of intellectual standards, it is not the best example because it does not involve a client’s immediate distress. Listening to both sides of the story demonstrates the critical thinking attitude of fair-ness. Notifying a provider of a client’s allergy is an example of nursing responsibility.