Discussion

9/3/23, 1:27 PM Sherpath - Thinking Critically in Nursing: Example, cont’d -

https://eols.elsevier.com/#/contentPlayer/10TBHPS7241?courseId=10V6LW6HJPB&moduleId=10RHZLTJFC1&lessonId=10XXD9LSNQ0&screenId=1… 1/3

()

Report content error

estimated finish: 28min leftDone

Critical Thinking in Nursing / Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice

Thinking Critically in Nursing: Example, cont’d Ms. George’s health care provider does not respond to your page, so you call the nursing supervisor, explaining to him that you are concerned with Ms. George’s impending discharge. Because Ms. George’s health care provider has not been responsive to your concerns, you call the hospitalist (a health care provider who sees inpatients in the absence of their attending health care provider), who prescribes a chest x-ray study. Ms. George has evidence of a consolidation in her left lower lobe, which turns out to be a pulmonary abscess. She is treated with intravenous antibiotics for 5 days, and the abscess eventually has to be aspirated and drained.

Your critical-thinking skills and willingness to advocate for your patient prevented an even worse postoperative course. You recognized that Ms. George’s lethargy was unusual and the location and timing of her pain were of concern. You also realized that although her temperature appeared to be stable, she had been given a pain medicine (acetaminophen) that also reduces fever, so a temperature increase may have been masked by the antipyretic properties of the acetaminophen. You demonstrated excellent clinical judgment in measuring her oxygen saturation, noting that her respiratory rate and pulse were consistent with decreased oxygenation.

9/3/23, 1:27 PM Sherpath - Thinking Critically in Nursing: Example, cont’d -

https://eols.elsevier.com/#/contentPlayer/10TBHPS7241?courseId=10V6LW6HJPB&moduleId=10RHZLTJFC1&lessonId=10XXD9LSNQ0&screenId=1… 2/3

9/3/23, 1:27 PM Sherpath - Thinking Critically in Nursing: Example, cont’d -

https://eols.elsevier.com/#/contentPlayer/10TBHPS7241?courseId=10V6LW6HJPB&moduleId=10RHZLTJFC1&lessonId=10XXD9LSNQ0&screenId=1… 3/3