Alvin Garlic

NUR 108
July 13, 2016
Critical Thinking
The registered nurse in the scenario failed to use critical thinking. The registered
nurse exhibited total disregard of the patient and the daughters statements. When
the patients complaint of being unsteady on her feet, the registered nurse did not
ask any follow-up questions. The registered nurse did not consider the
unsteadiness as an unwanted side effect of the pain medication maybe the
unsteady gait could be from the blood pressure medication. Whether the daughters
assumption was right or wrong about her mothers fainting incidence, the registered
nurse made no attempt to take the daughters feelings or concern under
consideration. The registered nurse did not inquire into how the patient fell and
broke her arm. The registered nurse should have been more proactive. The
registered nurse should have checked lab results to rule out dehydration and the
registered nurse should have spoken with the doctor about the patients blood
pressure medication dosage.
According to APA Delphi Report: A critical thinker is habitually inquisitive wellinformed trustful of reason, open-minded, flexible, fair-minded in evaluation honest
in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgements, willing to consider, clear
about issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information,
reasonable in selection of criteria focused in inquiry and persistent in seeking
results, which are as precise as the subject and circumstances of inquiry permit.
(Petersen & Roberts, 2014) The registered nurse should have been more open to
patient and her daughters feelings and concerns, also the registered nurse should
have obtained more information from the patient, the patients chart and/or her

daughter. The register nurse should not allow her personal bias concerning the
physician temperament to deter her from calling to clarify the physicians orders.
The registered nurse should have encouraged the patient to use the call button if
she intends to ambulate, these instructions are for the safety of the patient.

Petersen, Sandra., & Robert, Ruth. R., (2013). Relativity. In Medsurg Nursing. (85-93,
118).