New Era University

College of Nursing

NCM 102 – Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (Lecture)

Critical Thinking

Case Analysis for Take Home Assignment

Name: Jerico E. Pagulong Year/Section: CON1DScore/Rating: __________

Directions. Read carefully the given case scenario below then answer the allotted questions
on the space/s provided. Write legibly and no erasures.

The components of nursing practice include doing, caring, and thinking. Much of what is
recognized about nursing reflects the “doing” component, the activities that make up the
practice, along with the caring component. The third component, thinking, is the
foundational concept that is essential to all aspects of nursing care. Heaslip (2019) defines
critical thinking as the method for clinical decision making; it is “the ability to think in a
systematic and logical manner with openness to questions and to reflect on the reasoning
process used to ensure safe nursing practice and quality care.”

1. Identify and give a personal definition of the key concepts in Heaslip’s definition of
critical thinking.

Key concepts in Heaslip’s definition of critical thinking include:

Systematic Thinking: Systematic thinking is the process of logically and thoroughly analyzing a
problem or situation in order to make an informed decision.
Logical Thinking: Logical thinking is the ability to think through and use facts to come to a
sound conclusion.
Openness to Questions: Openness to questions is the willingness to explore and consider all
aspects of an issue and to ask questions in order to gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
Reflection: Reflection is the process of critically evaluating one's own thoughts and actions in
order to identify and correct any errors that may have occurred. This helps to ensure safe and
quality care.

2. What are the characteristics of a critical thinker?

The characteristics of a critical thinker include being open-minded, having strong

problem-solving skills, being able to analyze data and facts, being able to draw conclusions,
being able to think creatively and innovatively, being able to identify assumptions, being able to
think independently, being able to communicate effectively, and being able to evaluate evidence.
Critical thinkers must also be able to evaluate their own thinking and be willing to challenge
their own assumptions. Additionally, critical thinkers must be able to identify their own biases
and how they may be influencing their thinking.

Critical thinking can be used in all aspects of your life when you are trying to reach an
important decision. It is not just a “nursing skill,” but also in essence a “life skill.”

Shana, a first-semester nursing student, has demonstrated suitable academic skills that
facilitated her acceptance into the nursing program. She has discovered that nursing
studies are very different from general education studies, and she has found that she is not
testing at the level she had been accustomed to and, in fact, has found herself in danger of
failing the program. She knows she needs to develop new strategies to help her succeed in
the program.

Put yourself in Shana’s shoes and help her work through this problem using the listed
critical-thinking skills. Base your response on your understanding of course preparation,
studying, and testing and all the resources available to you as a student. You are trying to
facilitate a solution that will promote Shana’s academic success in the course. The first
completed critical-thinking skill is provided for you. Objectively gather information on

the problem: Has a course average of 74%, reads 75% to 85% of course materials prior to
class, brings PowerPoint handouts to class, listens to lecture, and take notes on the
handouts. Reviews PowerPoint slides prior to testing to ensure good memory of the
content.
3. Recognize the need for more information. (Where else can you seek information and
what kind of information is available?)

Shana can seek additional resources such as tutoring, study groups, and library research to help
her gain a deeper understanding of the course material. She can also reach out to her professor or
academic advisor for guidance and advice on how to improve her study habits and test scores.
Additionally, she can attend office hours and review sessions to gain a better understanding of
the material and ask questions.

Brainstorm potential solutions: Shana can create a study schedule and plan out specific times
each day to review her course materials and practice test taking. She can also practice active
learning strategies such as mapping, mind mapping, and flashcards. She can also begin to
practice test-taking skills and develop a strategy to answer test questions. She can also ask her
professor for additional resources and study materials to supplement her learning.

4. Evaluate the credibility and usefulness of the sources of information.

Shana should evaluate the credibility of the sources of information she has been using to prepare
for her course. She should consider the accuracy of the course materials, the instructor’s teaching
style, and the relevance of the lecture content to the topics on the tests. She should also assess the
level of difficulty of the tests and any other study materials available to her. Additionally, Shana
should evaluate the usefulness of the sources. Are the PowerPoint slides and lecture content
helping her to understand the material? Are the course materials allowing her to review the
material in an efficient manner? How helpful have her classmates been in providing additional
resources? These are all questions Shana should consider when evaluating the credibility and
usefulness of her sources of information.

5. Make tentative conclusions about the meaning of the information.

Based on the information gathered, it appears that Shana is using strategies that should be helpful
in her course. The fact that she reads 75-85% of the material prior to class and brings the
PowerPoint handouts to class suggest that she is doing her best to be prepared for class. She is
also listening to the lecture and taking notes on the handouts, which shows she is actively
engaged in the material. Furthermore, she is reviewing the PowerPoint slides prior to testing to
ensure good memory of the content. This suggests that she has a good understanding of the
material and has adequately prepared for her tests.

6. Identify potential solutions to the problem.

Potential solutions to Shana’s problem could include:

● Utilizing online resources such as YouTube tutorials, practice exams, and flashcards to
review course material.
● Working with a study group to review and discuss course material in order to better
understand the material and quiz each other.
● Creating a weekly study schedule and sticking to it to ensure consistent review of the
material.

● Asking her instructor for additional resources or one-on-one help.

● Rewriting her lecture notes and actively engaging with the material.

7. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of each potential action.

Solution Advantages Disadvantages

Increase the amount of time
spent studying and reviewing
course materials.
Increased time studying will
allow Shana to better
understand and remember the
course material, as well as
give her more time to practice
testing strategies.
Increasing the amount of time
studying could take away
from time available for other
activities or may lead to
burnout.

8. Discuss each of the following critical-thinking attitudes and how they are important to
Shana’s strategy for academic success:

A. Open-mindedness: Open-mindedness is important for Shana to maintain in order to be able to

evaluate all aspects of her studies. Taking a critical look at her study habits and methods, and
being willing to modify them if necessary, can help her stay on track and reach her academic
goals.

B. Suspend judgement: Shana needs to suspend judgement and objectively evaluate her current
study strategies. It is important for her to remain open to new ideas and methods, even if it means
changing her current approaches.

C. Curiosity: Shana should remain curious about her studies and the concepts she is learning.
This can help her gain a deeper understanding of the material and retain it better for future use.

D. Analytical thinking: Analytical thinking can help Shana break down her studies into
manageable parts, allowing her to look at each concept from multiple angles and understand it
better.
E. Flexibility: Being flexible and willing to explore new ideas and approaches is key to Shana’s
success. With any new material or concept, she should be willing to try different methods and
strategies to see what works best for her.

9. Understanding the importance of using critical thinking not only facilitates safe patient
care but also enables strategies for attainment of positive outcomes for the recipients of
that nursing care. Discuss the factors confronting nurses in today’s healthcare delivery
system that demand the ability to use complex thinking processes.

Today's healthcare delivery system is complex and dynamic, requiring nurses to think critically
in order to make the best decisions for their patients. Nurses must be able to evaluate a wide
range of factors and process a great deal of information in a short amount of time. They must
respond quickly and accurately to changing patient needs and be able to prioritize care in a way
that is safe, effective, and ethical. Nurses must also be able to recognize and identify potential
risk factors that could impact patient outcomes or safety. Additionally, nurses must be able to
assess the effectiveness of any interventions or treatments they administer, and make adjustments
as necessary. All of these require complex thinking processes that must be done quickly and
accurately for the best patient outcomes.

Let’s revisit Shana’s dilemma as she seeks to improve her academic standing in her nursing
program. Using the results from the application of the critical-thinking skills, revisit the
issue within the context of the following questions from the thinking processes of the
critical-thinking model.

10. Contextual awareness:

a. What about this situation have I seen before? What is different?

I have seen myself in a similar situation before. This time I am at a stage where I need to
improve my academic standing in my nursing program. What is different this time is that I have
learned the critical thinking skills that I can use to evaluate the situation and come up with a plan
of action.
b. Who should be involved in order to improve my academic standing?

Shana should be the primary person involved in improving her academic standing. However, she
may want to involve her academic advisor, a tutor, or other students in her program to help her
stay on track and get the resources she needs.
 c. What else is happening at the same time that affected my academic
standing?

Shana's academic standing has been affected by several factors, including her busy work
schedule, lack of focus and dedication, and lack of effective time management skills.
Additionally, she has been struggling with some personal issues that have been impacting her
ability to concentrate and stay motivated.

11. Inquiry:
a. How do I go about getting the information that I need to be academically
successful in the course?
To apply inquiry to her situation, Shana could ask herself:What specific information do I need in

order to succeed in my nursing program, such as course requirements, study techniques, or time

management strategies?How can I gather this information, such as through talking to instructors,

researching online, or seeking advice from peers or academic advisors?What questions do I need

to ask in order to get the information I need, and who can I reach out to for help? By engaging in

a process of inquiry and seeking out the information she needs, Shana can become better

equipped to succeed in her nursing program and make informed decisions about how to improve

her academic standing.

b. Have I used valid, reliable sources of information?

To apply inquiry to her situation in terms of evaluating the validity and reliability of information

sources, Shana could ask herself the following questions:

Have I gathered information from credible sources, such as academic journals, textbooks, or

reputable websites?

Are the sources I am using current and up-to-date, or are they outdated and potentially

unreliable?
Have I evaluated the sources for bias or conflicts of interest, and have I considered alternative

perspectives or sources of information?

By considering the validity and reliability of the information sources she is using, Shana can
make sure that she is relying on accurate and trustworthy information as she works to improve
her academic standing in her nursing program
c. What else do I need to know?
Shana needs to further explore the resources available to her so that she can succeed in her

nursing program. She should look into tutoring programs, study groups, and other academic

assistance that she can access. She should also ask her professors if they have any advice on how

to improve her academic standing. Additionally, Shana should look into other resources she can

use to supplement her studies, such as online tutorials or practice exams. Finally, Shana should

assess her time management skills and determine if there are any changes she can make to better

manage her time and maximize her studying efforts.

12. Considering alternatives:

a. What is one possible explanation for what has happened?
One possible explanation for Shana’s academic standing is that she has not been putting enough

effort into her studies. She may be suffering from procrastination or lack of focus, which is

causing her to fall behind in the class. Alternatively, it could be that the material is more difficult

than she expected and she is struggling to keep up with the pace of the course.

b. What is one thing I could do in this situation?

Shana could set specific goals for her studies, such as reviewing her notes and completing

practice questions every day. She could also reach out to her professor for additional help and

attend office hours. Finally, she could find additional resources to help her understand the

material more fully, such as online tutorials or textbooks.

 c. What are two more alternatives?
Two more alternatives that Shana could choose are seeking out a tutor or studying with a study

group. The pros of seeking out a tutor are that Shana would get personalized help and guidance

on the material she is struggling with. The cons of seeking out a tutor are the cost involved and

the difficulty of finding a tutor who is knowledgeable and available. The pros of studying with a

study group are that Shana would benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of the

group, and it would be free. The cons of studying with a study group are that the group may not

be focused on the same material that Shana is struggling with and the group may not have time to

meet on a regular basis. The best alternative for Shana would depend on her availability, budget,

and the type of help she needs. If she has the time and resources for a tutor, that would be a great

option for her. If she is looking for a more cost-effective option, a study group may be a better

fit.

d. Of the possible actions I am considering, which one is most likely to help my

academic standing in the course?

Based on the results from the application of the critical-thinking skills, the best alternative for

Shana to improve her academic standing in the course is to utilize the school's tutoring services.

This will allow her to get direct help from a tutor who is knowledgeable in the subject and can

help her to understand the material better. Additionally, Shana can use the extra time to study and

review the material she has already learned, which should help her to better understand it and

improve her grades.