Use of Critical Thinking in the Diagnostic Process

PURPOSE. To demonstrate use of critical thinking in the diagnostic process in order to achieve accuracy of nursing diagnoses. METHODS. The 7 cognitive skills and 10 habits of mind identified as important for nursing in a Delphi study by Scheffer and Rubenfeld are applied to the diagnostic process using a published case study of a woman with heart failure. FINDINGS. Taking into account all data from the case study and using the concepts of critical thinking, two high-accuracy nursing diagnoses were selected to guide nursing interventions. CONCLUSIONS. Because the specific types of critical thinking needed for accurate diagnosing are not known, nurses should develop all 17 of the cognitive skills and habits of mind so these thinking abilities are available when needed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The 17 critical thinking concepts should be combined with domain knowledge, e. g., nursing diagnoses, to think about thinking, which will improve critical thinking processes.