436 MODULE 6 DISCUSSION
NAME:
INSTITUTION:
DATE:
The complexity of the health care system requires health professionals to think critically by incorporating research evidence, knowledge, and clinical expertise in planning patient care (Facione & Facione, 2018). Sound clinical judgment requires health providers to employ critical thinking skills in analysis, interpretation, and conceptualizing patient conditions. The development of critical thinking skills requires self-guide and self-discipline. Nurses’ roles are continuously changing from simple to complex tasks, task-oriented to team-based, and patient-centered, accentuating at maximizing patient outcomes. The intellectual, clinical values that professionals should demonstrate in patient care include precision, accuracy, consistent, sound evidence, in-depth knowledge, and clarity.
The development of critical thinking begins with having an inquisitive mind, then to questioning and pursuit for knowledge to understand the physiology and functioning of the human body (Benner, Hughes & Sutphen, 2018). Clinical reasons enable nurses to explain nursing interventions through evidence-based research and scientifically proven rationales. Without thinking critically through every action, procedure, and nursing care, it would be very difficult to avoid medical errors, which are the rising causes of deaths in the health system. “The incorporation of open-mindedness, a solid foundational knowledge of disease processes, and continuous learning, coupled with a compassionate heart and great clinical preceptors, can ensure that every new nurse will be a critical thinker positively affecting outcomes at the bedside” (Benner, Hughes & Sutphen, 2018).
Case scenario from nursing practice
Chris is a 23-year-old male who was admitted to the medical unit due to profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal cramps. He was given antiemetics, and Intravenous fluid (Normal saline 3litres/24 hours) infusion done. In the afternoon, the patient had filed the emesis basin and reported 5 episodes of diarrhea and dizziness. On observation of patient vitals, the Blood pressure was 96/76mmHg and a pulse of 120b/min. On further inquiry, Chris reported having visited his cousin and was offered fruits and food and afterward experienced abdominal discomfort.
Questions
What could be the problem?
What are some of the investigations to confirm the diagnosis?
What interventions would you institute to resolve the problem?
References
Benner, P., Hughes, R. G., & Sutphen, M. (2018). Clinical reasoning, decision-making, and action: Thinking critically and clinically. In Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2643/
Facione, N. C., & Facione, P. A. (2018). Critical thinking and clinical judgment. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning in the health sciences: A teaching anthology, 1-13. Retrieved from: https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/36419784