Patient Crisis and Critical Thinking

The primary goal of nursing care is that the patient be oxygenating and perfusing at the same time. In addition for baseline functioning the patient needs a normal pH, balanced electrolytes, glucose and oxygen in the cell making ATP. If the patient cannot repolarize the last action potential in their heart, there is no next heartbeat. Understanding these concepts allows the nurse to focus attention on what is truly important.

As stress hits the body, its regulatory systems adjust and attempt to maintain homeostasis . When this compensation fails, the body becomes ill and the vital signs become abnormal. If the nurse can see and act upon the signs of compensation then potential problems can be averted. Patient Crisis and Critical Thinking emphasizes proactive critical thinking using a framework which contains various solutions to any problem.

The resulting actions for care are dependent on the following concepts:
* You only see what you know
* You can't think critically about what you don't know
* Knowledge + experience before critical thinking
* Critical thinking can be taught using a model, or framework, for organizing the nurse's thought processes

Combining her vast clinical background and information with critical thinking strategies, Carol Whiteside, MSN, Ph.D., has created an easy to follow book for nurses in the clinical setting. Her strategies are the result of over 40 years in the healthcare field in the areas of trauma, burn, pediatric, neonatal, medical/ surgical, and cardiac Intensive Care Units. Carol's conversational writing style presents easy to understand examples and scenarios. This book is a must for the novice and seasoned nurse or nurse educator.