A Students Guideline to

Using the Critical Thinking

Rubric to meet the
Performance Objectives in
Developing Nursing Care
Plans
 What Are the
Characteristics of
an Excellent
Nursing Care
Plan?
There are three characteristics that distinguish excellent
student performers from their peers.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AN EXCELLENT NCP

Evidences adequate
inquiry, research and
use of best resources.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AN EXCELLENT NCP

Deduces the most

accurate human
response (diagnostic
label) from the data
collected.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
AN EXCELLENT NCP

Analyzes the human

responses and selects
the the diagnostic
labels that would have
the greatest impact on
the clients outcome.
Meeting the behavioral objective:

Evidences adequate
inquiry, research and
use of best resources.
How can the student achieve this objective?
The groundwork for an excellent care plan
begins with the utilization of inquiry, research
and resources at the clinical site.
It begins in preconference when
the student receives report.
Preconference exercise
You receive report on the following client:
79 y/o female admitted for pneumonia, exacerbation
of COPD who has CHF by history with the following
orders:
nasal cannula oxygen at 2 lpm
albuterol drug nebs q 4hrs and q 2 hours prn
IV D51/2 NS at 75 cc/hr
Solumedrol 80 mg IVP q 6 hrs
ABGs on room air and electrolytes to be
drawn this AM.
 Exercise your
inquiry,research and
best resources.
Reflect on knowledge and skills
79 y/o female admitted for pneumonia,
exacerbation of COPD who has CHF by history
with the following orders:
nasal cannula oxygen at 2 lpm
albuterol drug nebs q 4hrs and q 2 hours prn
IV D51/2 NS at 75 cc/hr
Solumedrol 80 mg IVP q 6 hrs
ABGs on room air and electrolytes to be
drawn this AM.
ASK YOURSELF WHO, WHAT WHY, WHERE, WHEN AND
HOW?
Identify your best resources and
references
What handbooks would you access immediately to
prepare for caring for your client?
How can each resource facilitate the attainment of
knowledge and skills?
MED/SURG handbook
drug reference
lab test reference
nursing diagnosis handbook
hospital procedure manual
Develop a plan to evidence
adequate inquiry and assess your
client.
Initial client assessment:
LOC: level of consciousness
A: airway
B: breathing
C: circulation/bleeding
I/O: everything going in/out
wound: what does it look like?
Pain: present? Scale? Treatment?
safety:bed low? Call bell? Siderail?
After performing the initial assessment, gather any
additional information you need from the chart and
return to perform a focused assessment.
 The Interview
SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS
RELATED TO
THE CHIEF
COMPLAINT
AND RELATED
SYSTEMS
The Interview

Interview questions should identify the clients

response to their situation
should include both positive and negative findings that
you might suspect a client experiencing those stressors
could experience
record all the clients responses using all available space
APPROACH TO EXAM

DO YOUR ABC's, THEN

INSPECTION
PALPATION
PERCUSSION
AUSCULTATION
Dont just fill in the blanks.
Use all available space to communicate the pertinent
findings integrating the health assessment framework.
Seek clarification

Check your findings against the what has been

previously recorded for the client..

a variation in the clients status should be clarified with your

best resource on the unit

your clinical instructor.