Key elements of critical thinking

Purpose The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to practice two key elements of critical
thinking:
Thinking ahead being proactive and anticipating what you might be doing and
Thinking back reflective thinking for the purpose of growth and improvements.
Learning Outcomes: After completion of the assignment, you will:
Gain an understanding of behaviors that promote critical thinking, as well as the importance of thinking ahead
and thinking back over experiences to improve your thinking and performance.
Have a paper trail that documents your own perspective on progress on developing critical thinking behaviors.
Give your instructor examples of your critical thinking progress.
Instructions:
Review the Critical Thinking Indicators found on pages 9-10 in your textbook.
Thinking ahead - using the template provided, identify 5 Critical Thinking Indicators that you are most
comfortable with when faced with a situation requiring judgement.
Why did you chose these indicators?
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Work through the provided case study (you will be graded on the use of your thinking skills to assist with the
situation)
Thinking back - after the case study, reflect on what happened,
Did you actually have the opportunity to utilize the Critical Thinking Indicators that you identified in the second
instruction?
Identify the Critical Thinking Indicators you actually used and why.
Identify factors that supported your ability to think critically.
Identify factors that impacted your ability to think critically .
Identify strategies for improvement.
Case Studies:
You are a nurse caring for an 87-year-old retired teacher who underwent hip replacement surgery 2 weeks ago
and has transferred to your rehabilitation unit for physical therapy and nursing care until she is physically able
to return home. Before her surgery, she lived alone, maintained an immaculately clean house, and was very
socially active, with several events scheduled throughout her week. She travelled extensively but limited her
personal driving to daylight hours. Upon admission to your rehab unit, the patient wonders aloud how shell
return to her former lifestyle and who will help her. How should you assist the patient to facilitate maximal
health and quality of life?
You are a nursing student observing a primary nurse completing an admission history on a 55-year-old woman.
The patient shared that she was currently working as a nurse in a subacute unit of a long-term care facility. She
indicated that she felt pressured by her organization to continue her education and was adapting to electronic
health records. She commented on the patient population being sicker than she remembered. Obviously
frustrated, she stated, I just want to retire and enjoy my life. What can you do to help adapt your nursing career
to these trends?
You are a nurse caring for a 42-year-old mechanic who is hospitalized for a gangrenous wound on his foot. His
history includes unmanaged diabetes, smoking (20 pack-years), and hypertension. He denies alcohol use. He
supports himself with full-time work. Socially, he belongs to a motorcycle club and enjoys riding whenever his
work schedule allows. When asked how he would rate his overall health, he reports, I may not have much
money, but Ive got my health! What strategies could you propose to the patient to promote health and prevent
illness? What factors can be useful in predicting a patients use of health-related behaviors?
You are a nurse caring for a 72-year-old retired chiropractor who has a history of dementia, secondary to
fractured femur repair. He was transferred to your rehabilitation unit for postoperative physical therapy and
further assessment to address his return home upon physical therapy completion. Upon admission, he
adamantly insists on remaining in his room, even when invited to attend social events by hospital friends who
now reside in the adjoining long-term care unit. He refuses help with his activities of daily living and is only
friendly to his daughter (whom he recognizes). She visits several times per week. How should you assist the
patient to facilitate maximal health and quality of life? 
Your patient, an elderly woman who rarely has visitors, has put on her call light so that she might introduce you
to her daughter. After introductions, the patient indicates that her daughter visits whenever possible, as she is
frequently traveling. Out of the patients hearing, the daughter indicates that she intends on meeting with your
director of nursing to discuss her mothers care. During the meeting, she indicates that her mother is the most
important thing in her life, then begins to describe her extensive recreational travel and multiple profitable real
estate holdings. She is quite critical of her mothers care and outlines a long list of nursing care that she
expects to be performed by your staff, frequently emphasizing that she expects all expenses to be covered by
her mothers Medicare insurance. At the end of the meeting, she leaves her housekeepers phone number for
staff to contact if there are questions regarding her mothers care. How would you advocate on behalf of your
patient in this situation?
You are a nurse caring for a patient who has an extensive history of peripheral vascular disease, resulting in
frequent surgeries for the purpose of revascularizing her lower extremities with the intent of avoiding
amputations, if possible. This is your patients third surgery this year; she has been brought to your step-down
unit for postoperative recovery. While implementing the surgeons orders, you note several conditions that
require the surgeons immediate attention. Upon calling the surgeon, he indicates that he will address these
issues tomorrow. As a nurse advocate, how would you represent your patient?
There are 6 different case studies