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
[Link]
egrated_Review
Before learning how to use the nursing process. (n.d) Retrieved on July 13, 2022 at
[Link]
#:~: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
[Link]