NEX Critical Thinking 3

Question 1

Which cognitive bias occurs when a nurse forms an early impression of a patient and ignores subsequent contradictory information?

Accepted Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Availability bias

Answer

Recency bias

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly becomes anxious and restless. Critical thinking requires the nurse to first consider which possibility?

Accepted Answer

The patient may be experiencing a physiological complication

Answer

The patient is experiencing anxiety about their recovery

Answer

The patient needs additional pain medication

Answer

The patient is having a reaction to the anesthesia wearing off

Question 3

What is the purpose of using a SBAR communication framework in nursing?

Accepted Answer

To provide structured, clear communication during handoffs and urgent situations

Answer

To document patient care in the electronic health record

Answer

To establish nursing diagnoses for care planning

Answer

To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions

Question 4

Which level of Bloom's Taxonomy does a nursing student demonstrate when they create a new care plan by integrating knowledge from multiple courses?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis/Create

Answer

Application

Answer

Analysis

Answer

Evaluation

Question 5

A nurse is unsure about a medication dosage calculation. Which action best demonstrates critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Looking up the dosage range, recalculating, and consulting with pharmacy if discrepancy remains

Answer

Administering the dose as written since the physician ordered it

Answer

Asking another nurse to verify the calculation independently

Answer

Holding the medication until the next shift nurse can review it

Question 6

What is the difference between clinical reasoning and clinical judgment in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Clinical reasoning is the thinking process; clinical judgment is the conclusion reached

Answer

They are identical concepts used interchangeably

Answer

Clinical judgment occurs first, followed by clinical reasoning

Answer

Clinical reasoning is used only by physicians, not nurses