Use of critical thinking in the diagnostic process.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate use of critical thinking in the diagnostic process in order to achieve accuracy of nursing diagnoses.


METHODS
The 7 cognitive skills and 10 habits of mind identified as important for nursing in a Delphi study by Scheffer and Rubenfeld are applied to the diagnostic process using a published case study of a woman with heart failure.


RESULTS
Taking into account all data from the case study and using the concepts of critical thinking, two high-accuracy nursing diagnoses were selected to guide nursing interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the specific types of critical thinking needed for accurate diagnosing are not known, nurses should develop all 17 of the cognitive skills and habits of mind so these thinking abilities are available when needed.


CONCLUSIONS
The 17 critical thinking concepts should be combined with domain knowledge, e.g., nursing diagnoses, to think about thinking, which will improve critical thinking processes.
Lunney
Margaret
M
College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, USA. margaret.lunney@gmail.com
D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D013850:Thinking