The nurse is using critical thinking skills during the first phase of the nursing process. Which action indicates the nurse is in the first phase?

A. Pain is subjective, and patients experience it differently. Dismissing their report based on the procedure undermines their experience and may lead to inadequate pain management.

B. Pain levels fluctuate, and treatment should be based on current assessment rather than past administration. This approach lacks critical thinking and fails to address the patient's individual needs.

C. While following provider orders is necessary, blindly administering medication without assessing the patient's current pain level and preferences is not critical thinking.

D. This approach individualizes care and involves the patient in decision-making, which is a key component of critical thinking in nursing.

A. A patient who had surgery two days ago and is learning how to change the dressing. This is incorrect because this patient is stable and requires routine education, which is not an immediate priority.

B. A patient who was admitted 30 minutes ago for chest pain. This is correct because chest pain can indicate a life-threatening condition such as myocardial infarction. The nurse should assess this patient immediately, monitoring for signs of cardiac compromise and initiating emergency interventions if necessary.

C. A patient who received pain medication 10 minutes ago. This is incorrect because this patient is already receiving treatment, and there is no indication of urgent distress requiring immediate intervention.

D. A patient who is being transferred to a long-term care facility this afternoon. This is incorrect because transfer preparation is not an urgent priority compared to an unstable or potentially critical patient.