PROBLEM-SOLVING in

NURSING

MC103 nur – LOGIC and CRITICAL

THINKING
Summer Semester 2021-2022

July 14, 2022

Learning Objectives:
 At the end of the session, the students should be able
to
 define problem-solving

 describe the steps in problem-solving

 identify the skills in problem-solving

 discuss strategies for problem-solving

 discuss the relationship of critical thinking and
problem-solving in nursing
 apply problem-solving skills
 PROBLEM-SOLVING
 it is the process of identifying, clarifying and
explaining a situation in need of solution/s
 PROBLEM – is a situation that needs to be
dealt with
 a situation or condition that can be resolved in a
variety or multiple ways
The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
 The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
 DEFINING the PROBLEM – establishing its
existence and naming the problem
 “What is the issue, concern or gap?”

 ANALYZING the PROBLEM – looking into

the problems details, who are involved, how
did it happen, etc…
 asking who, what, where, when, why and how?
 performing root-cause analysis
 The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
 ESTABLISHING CRITERIA – this entails
setting clear objectives on what needs to be
achieved to eliminate the problem/s

 It is helpful to break down complex problems into

chunks or smaller, workable and feasible aspects for
its resolution

 The decision criteria should be measurable and

should be within scope of the problem trying to be
resolved
 The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
 GENERATING or CONSIDERATING as
many SOLUTIONS or ALTERNATIVES –
attempts are made to come up wit different
possible ideas or solutions so that the best
will be chosen

 generated solutions may be short, intermediate or long

term in nature
 The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
 DECIDING on the BEST POSSIBLE
SOLUTION/S – weighing the pros and cons
of each solution, determining the
consequences and impacts

 choosing those that are low cost but high

impact
 The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
 IMPLEMENTING the CHOSEN SOLUTION (or
strategy) – putting into action the selected
alternative

 EVALAUATING the SOLUTION – judging the

consequences, impact and outcomes
 Is the problem resolved after implementation?

 REVISING the SOLUTION or the PLAN – continue

re-planning and strategizing until problem gets
resolved
The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
The PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROCESS
SKILLS in PROBLEM-
SOLVING
 PROBLEM-SOLVING
 Methods of Problem-Solving
 Trial and error – “try and try until you succeed”
 dangerous because the patient may be harmed if the
solution is inappropriate
 Intuitive problem-solving – use of “gut feeling” and
guessing
 Intuitive judgment is developed through CLINICAL
EXPERIENCE with similar types of problems or
situations
 Experimentation – based on knowledge and
research
 Scientific method - logical and systematic approach
 CRITICAL THINKING and PROBLEM-
SOLVING
 In nursing…
...critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-
making go hand in hand

…decision-making is the process of choosing a

particular and best action to meet a desired goal
or problem

…they are integrated in the application of the

NURSING PROCESS which nurses use to identify and
solve patient’s problems and needs
Exercises:
 Problem: A client has a body temperature of
380C.
 Questions to ask:
 How do you know it is a problem?
 What could be the cause/s of the problem?
 How long do you intend to help solve the
problem? What is your goal?
 What are the possible solutions you have in mind?
 What solution/s are you going to implement?
 Were the chosen solution/s effective?
Exercises:
 Problem: Delays in the administration or
giving of medications to patients in the ward.
 Questions to ask:
 How do you know it is a problem?
 What could be the cause/s of the problem?
 What happens if the delay persists or continue?
 How long do you intend to help solve the problem?
What is your goal?
 What are the possible solutions you have in mind?
 What solution/s are you going to implement?
 Were the chosen solution/s effective?
References:
 Berman, A., Snyder, S. & Frandsen, G. (2020). Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing
: Concepts, Process, and Practice (11th Ed).  Upper Saddle River, N.J. :Pearson
Prentice Hall

 Brunt, Barbara. (2005). Critical Thinking in Nursing: An Integrated Review. Journal of

Continuing Education in Nursing. 36. 60-7. 10.3928/0022-0124-20050301-05. Retrieved
on July 11, 2022 at
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7900769_Critical_Thinking_in_Nursing_An_Int
egrated_Review

 Before learning how to use the nursing process. (n.d) Retrieved on July 13, 2022 at
https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingfundamentals/chapter/4-2-basic-concepts/
#:~:text=The%20provider%20is%20notified%20of,inductive%20reasoning%20in
%20nursing%20practice

 Crocket, L. (n.d.). 7 Critical Thinking Barriers and How to Overcome Them, Future
Focused Learning. Retrieved on July 13, 2022 at
http://blog.futurefocusedlearning.net/critical-thinking-barriers