Chapter 33: Introduction to the
Nursing Process
Sasha Persaud
Home work
• Assignment due on Day 8 by 9:00 am
Learning Objectives
• Define and discuss the process of problem-solving.
• Differentiate between trial and error problem-solving and
scientific problem-solving.
• State the characteristics of critical thinking.
• Identify how critical thinking is used in the problem-solving
process.
• Define the nursing process and relate it to the critical thinking
method of solving problems.
Learning Objectives #2
• Define the following steps of the nursing process: nursing
assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and
evaluation.
• Discuss the following terms relating to the nursing process:
systematic, client-oriented, goal-oriented, continuous, and
dynamic.
• Discuss how the nursing process is an important tool for providing
measurable and observable quality nursing care for clients.
Introduction
• Primary goal: help individuals meet their basic and higher level
needs
• Leads to specific interactions: communication, observation,
support, education, provision of care
• Nurses support and encourage others in their healthy habits and
help solve health problems
• Provide care by combining scientific problem-solving methods
with critical thinking skills
Problem-Solving #1
• Basic skill of identifying a problem and taking steps to resolve it
• Trial and error
o Experimental approach that tests ideas to decide which
methods work and which do not
o Usually do not have sufficient information to anticipate
results
o Used in laboratory studies
o Must be used carefully when working with people because
of possible harmful results
o Strict guidelines to follow when used
Problem-Solving #2
• Scientific Problem-Solving
o 1. Identify the problem
o 2. Gather information relative to the problem
o 3. Formulate tentative solutions (hypotheses); choose preferred solution
o 4. Plan action to test suggested solution
o 5. Experiment and observe the results
o 6. Interpret the results (draw conclusions); understand what the results
mean
o 7. Evaluate the solution, either concluding or revising the study to test
the solution again if results are unsatisfactory
Critical Thinking
• Grasping the meaning of multiple clues and finding quick answers
when facing difficult problems
• Is neither trial-or-error nor structured scientific problem-solving
system
• Examine facts, compare these facts with information already known,
actively curious and critiquing ideas for reasonableness, form ideas
or concepts that are mental pictures of reality
• Most client care problems have many possible causes and many
probable solutions
• Remembering facts, using logic, asking key questions, forming a
mental image, and analyzing all information
Question #1
Is the following statement true or false?
Trial-and-error experimentation can be done only with the
permission and understanding of the individuals involved.
Answer to Question # 1
True
Trial and error must be used carefully when working with people
because of the possible harmful results.
Researchers develop strict guidelines to protect the safety and well-
being of individuals and proceed with experimentation only with
the permission of the individual involved.
The Nursing Process #1
• Combining critical thinking skills with scientific problem-solving method
to identify client problems and provide care in a structured, purposeful,
and effective way
• Systematic method that directs nurse and client as they together
o 1. determine the need for nursing care
o 2. plan and implement the care
o 3. evaluate the results
• Will use this process framework throughout nursing practice
• Will use to identify and treat client care problems
The Nursing Process #2
• Nursing care plan (NCP), critical pathways, concept mapping, clinical
pathways
• Care plan helps you manage your time more effectively as you
provide care
• Care plan provides consistency and focus in care
• Care plan enables you to determine if your nursing care helped the
client
• Potential needs/potential problems might be prevented or problems
client is at risk for developing
• Over time, the process of thinking and doing becomes automatic
The Nursing Process #3
• Process has been traditional aspect of nursing throughout United
States and Canada; use varies from one area to another, types of
healthcare facilities, differing roles of RN and LV/LPN
• Need to accurately function within your professional role based
on the licensure of your facility, your responsibilities in that
facility and mandated regulations of your licensing agency (Board
of Nursing)
• Need to know the Nurse Practice Act and the local regulations for
your location and situation
Question #2
Is the following statement true or false?
The nursing process highlights the differences in roles between
licensed personnel and nonlicensed personnel.
Answer to Question # 2
True
The nursing process not only includes the actions involved in tasks
but also integrates critical thinking.
Unlicensed personnel are required to know how to take vital signs.
In addition to how, the licensed nurse must also know why the vital
signs are important and what is the relationship of the numbers
obtained with the condition of the client.
The Nursing Process #4
The Nursing Process #5
• Characteristics of the Nursing Process
The Nursing Process #6
The Nursing Process #7
• Characteristics of the Nursing Process (cont.)
o Systemic: follows specific, orderly, and logical steps based on
client’s most important and often most vital needs; prioritization
or prioritizing
o Client-oriented: needs of client are identified, not nurse, family, or
other healthcare providers; focus on meeting individualized client
needs
o Goal-oriented: goals, objectives, or expected outcomes are
established as an early part of nursing process; short-term, long-
term goals
o Continuous: reassessment done frequently due to changes, revise
as needed
The Nursing Process #8
• Characteristics of the Nursing Process (cont.)
o Dynamic: steps often overlap, will develop ability to use
critical thinking skills
o Communication and quality care: nursing process is method
of communication; indicates effectiveness or quality of
nursing care; documentation
o May work with several clients with same problems but have
special considerations; must develop separate care plans for
each client to ensure best care
Question #3
Which step of the nursing process allows the nurse to identify
priorities and collect data?
a. Nursing assessment
b. Nursing diagnosis
c. Planning
d. Implementation
e. Evaluation
Answer to Question #3
a. Nursing assessment
The nurse identifies priorities, collects data, and updates database
during the assessment phase of the nursing process.
Key Points
• Scientists have used scientific problem-solving for many years to systematize
their research.
• Critical thinking is an important nursing strategy for problem-solving.
• The nursing process is a framework of scientific problem-solving combined
with critical thinking skills.
• The nursing process provides individualized care that is accountable.
• Steps in the nursing process include nursing assessment/data collection,
nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• The nursing process can be used to identify not only the client’s actual
problems, but also potential needs or problems.
• The client and the family are involved in developing the nursing care plan.
• The steps of the nursing process, that is, the nursing care plan, may overlap,
change, repeat, or need total revision due to potential needs becoming actual
problems. These steps can even in some cases happen simultaneously.
