Competency Validation

Practice Exercises I:

CRITICAL THINKING

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Competency Statement
1. The student will demonstrate a logical systematic thought process in analyzing
and synthesizing data.
2. The student will demonstrate skill in evaluation and self- correction for her or his
own thinking.

Think critically about the following questions.

(Individual work)

SCENARIO: Thinking Critically

In what area of nursing would you prefer to work upon graduation?
You have been given the purpose of critical thought. Work your way through the
process, identifying important aspects.

Identify the data you think would ne pertinent to this decision.

Collect and organize the data.
List where you might find data regarding whether this would be a good choice for
you.

(Group work)
SCENARIO: Using Skills of Critical Thinking
Situation:
Frank Fellow, a 72 year old patient admitted for acute confusion presented in the
emergency department (ED) with a history of Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus Type I
and Arthritis. He lives in a single family home with his wife.
The patient is slightly confused and has an unsteady gait. He frequently forgets to use
his walker and fails to call for assistance from the nursing staff when ambulating to the
bathroom.
Based on this scenario, discuss your interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference and
explanation and how you would use these to resolve a situation related to the patients
safety.
Interpretation: Clarify what the behavior means.
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Analysis: During the assessment, what questions should the nurse ask to determine
the best plan of care?
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Evaluation: What outcomes do you expect to achieve with your patient today?
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Inference: What conclusion (explanation for behavior) could the nurse make, based on
the analysis?
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Explanation: During the implementation, how can the nurse justify the actions being
initiated?
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Self- regulation: What issues should the nurse reexamine to correct or improve the
nursing care?
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Note: Present your answers using the following format:

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