Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Judgment

Learn to apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning to every clinical experience!

Alfaro's Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Judgment, 7th Edition brings the concepts of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment to life through engaging text, diverse learning activities, and real-life examples. This easy-to-read, engaging textbook uses a "how to" approach to help you prepare for the NCLEX Examination and, even more importantly, think like an expert nurse in clinical practice.

The 7th edition emphasizes the need for critical thinking and critical appraisal when searching online for healthcare information, an increased focus on interprofessional collaboration, and expanded content on the growing trends of competency assessment, electronic charting (informatics) and "thinking beyond the EHR", and much more - making the book even more relevant to clinical practice.

• Uses a clear, straightforward approach and motivational writing style including vivid examples, memorable anecdotes, and real-life case scenarios to make content come alive.
• Practical strategies to promote critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment are incorporated along with supporting evidence as to why the strategies work.
• Focus on application (or "how to") and inclusion of supporting rationales (theory) make difficult concepts easy to learn.
• Critical Thinking Indicators feature evidence-based descriptions from the author of behaviors that promote critical thinking in nursing practice.
• Highlighted features and sections that promote deep learning include This Chapter at a Glance, Learning Outcomes, Key Concepts, Guiding Principle boxes, Critical Moments boxes, Other Perspectives features, Think-Pair-Share activities, H.M.O (Help Me Out) cartoons, real-life clinical scenarios, Key Points, Critical Thinking Exercises, and more!
• Discussion of Tanner's and Benner's most recent work on what the research says about critical thinking and clinical judgment in nursing provides a current evidence-base for critical thinking strategies.
• Cultural, spiritual, and lifespan content features the nurse's role in hospitals, communities, and long-term care settings, presenting a broad approach to critical thinking.
• Inclusion of ethics- and standards-based professional practice reflects today's professional climate, which demands increasing accountability.

New to this edition:

• NEW! Expanded content on growing nursing trends includes competency assessment, electronic charting (informatics) and "thinking beyond the EHR," clinical evaluation, preceptor and learner strategies, problem- or project-based learning (with supporting activities), the flipped classroom (with supporting activities), and mapping and visual thinking (with supporting exercises).
• NEW! Increased emphasis on the need for critical thinking and critical appraisal equips you to identify valid, accurate, and relevant healthcare information in online research.
• NEW! Strong emphasis on interprofessional collaboration includes new content on readiness for interprofessional collaborative practice, to address the growing importance of interprofessional education and practice.
• NEW! Emphasis on thinking conceptually equips you to thrive in situations where you encounter "information overload."
• NEW! Sections on thinking with health information technology help you to apply conceptual learning principles to maximize learning and make the most of the simulated and clinical environments.