A nurse manager is planning a presentation for staff nurses on improving critical thinking skills. Which of the following critical thinking skills should the nurse manager include in the presentation?

(Select All that Apply.)

A. Assessment involves collecting and analyzing data about the client's health status, including their medical history, physical examination findings, and any other relevant information. This step is crucial for understanding the client's current condition and needs, but it precedes goal setting.
B. Evaluation is the step where the nurse determines whether the goals and outcomes established in the planning phase have been achieved. It involves assessing the effectiveness of interventions and making adjustments as needed. Evaluation occurs after goals have been set and interventions have been implemented, so it is not the step where goals are initially formulated.
C. Implementation involves carrying out the interventions and actions planned to achieve the goals established for the client. This step follows the formulation of goals and involves executing the planned care. While critical to achieving positive outcomes, implementation does not include the initial formulation of goals.
D. Planning is the step of the nursing process where the nurse formulates goals and develops a plan of care based on the assessment data. This includes setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to guide the care provided and achieve positive client outcomes. Planning is where goals are established to address the client’s identified needs and guide subsequent interventions.

A. This task is generally appropriate for an assistive personnel (AP) if it is within their scope of practice and if proper training has been provided. Glucometer monitoring is a routine task that APs can often perform, assuming they are trained in using the glucometer and understanding the importance of accurate readings.

B. Assigning two APs to ambulate all clients might be seen as overdelegation if the task requires more clinical judgment or if there are other tasks that need to be managed concurrently. Ambulating clients can sometimes be complex depending on their condition, and it’s essential to ensure that APs are appropriately trained and that the workload is balanced.
C. Assigning a new graduate nurse to perform a wet-to-dry dressing change could be considered overdelegation if the task requires advanced skills and experience that the new graduate might not yet possess. Wet-to-dry dressing changes can be complex and require a certain level of expertise to ensure proper technique and patient safety.
D. This task is typically appropriate for an RN with the necessary competencies and experience. A central line dressing change requires specific skills and knowledge, and delegating this task to the most competent RN ensures that it is performed correctly and safely. This is not considered overdelegation because it matches the task to the skill level of the RN.