A nurse is conducting a research project on the effectiveness of an educational intervention on improving critical thinking skills among nursing students. The nurse uses a pretest-posttest design with a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group receives the intervention, while the control group does not. The nurse administers a standardized test of critical thinking skills to both groups before and after the intervention. Which of the following steps in the nursing process does this research project illustrate?

Choice A:

Assessment. This is the first step of the nursing process, where the nurse collects data about the patient's health status, needs, and problems. This step does not describe the research project, which already has data from the pretest and posttest.

Choice B:

Diagnosis. This is the second step of the nursing process, where the nurse analyzes the data and identifies the patient's actual or potential nursing diagnoses. This step does not describe the research project, which does not focus on individual patients or diagnoses.

Choice C:

Planning. This is the third step of the nursing process, where the nurse sets goals and outcomes for the patient and selects appropriate nursing interventions. This step does not describe the research project, which already has a plan for the intervention and the control group.

Choice D:

Implementation. This is the fourth step of the nursing process, where the nurse carries out the planned interventions and documents the care provided. This step partially describes the research project, which involves implementing the intervention for the experimental group. However, this is not the best answer because it does not capture the whole purpose of the project.

Choice E:

Evaluation. This is the fifth and final step of the nursing process, where the nurse evaluates the patient's progress toward the goals and outcomes and modifies the plan of care as needed. This step best describes the research project, which involves evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention by comparing the pretest and posttest scores of both groups. The nurse uses a standardized test of critical thinking skills as a measure of evaluation.

Choice A:

This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching. Reflection is one of the key elements of critical thinking in nursing, as it allows nurses to examine their own actions and decisions and learn from them.

Choice B:

This statement is also correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching. Analysis is another key element of critical thinking in nursing, as it involves breaking down a complex situation into smaller parts that can be understood and evaluated.

Choice C:

This statement is incorrect and indicates a need for further teaching. Inference is not making assumptions based on one's experience, but rather drawing logical conclusions from the available evidence. Making assumptions can lead to errors in judgment and compromise patient safety. Nurses should use critical thinking to question their assumptions and biases and seek reliable and valid information.

Choice D:

This statement is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching. Evaluation is another key element of critical thinking in nursing, as it involves checking the reliability and validity of information that is used to make decisions. Nurses should use critical thinking to assess the sources, methods, and outcomes of information they encounter in their practice.