Critical Thinking In Nursing Case Study

"Critical thinking is the ability to think systematically and reflect on the reasoning process used to ensure safe nursing practice. Therefore, critical thinking skills are helpful in making appropriate decisions and quality nursing care (Zarifsanaiey, Amini, & Saadat, 2016, p.2). With the in mind let us review model case which introduces a 70-year-old male who came to see a Certified Outpatient Diabetes Educator with concerns of elevated blood sugars for last two days. As the nurse reviews patient's history she also investigates if there were any recent changes in medications, physical activity, diet, and reviews patient's understanding of the importance of injections site rotation and monitoring for an expiration date of insulin itself. Therefore, a nurse proceeds to examine the insulin pump download and immediately realizes that the patient has not been changing his insertions site every three days as often instructed which definitely could be a reason behind persistent hyperglycemia due to inadequate insulin delivery.

Under those circumstances, a nurse asks the patient to recheck blood sugar which was reported as 450, and upon further examination, she discovers that he has been complaining of nausea, polydipsia, and polyuria indicating the beginning of DKA. Subsequently, she decides to refer him to Emergency Room for treatment and evaluation plus arranges a meeting after client's discharge for additional education regarding insulin pump management and treatment of