i need of advice

Demonsthenes · Nov 26, 2006

Critical thinking is imperative for nursing. Therefore, a good knowledge of the basic principles of deductive logic is important as the same is the basis for critical thinking. There are two basic types of deductive logic. The first is the categorical syllogism and the second is the conditional syllogism as an subset of the hypothetical syllogism.

The categorical syllogism state: All humans communicate through language, Jane is a human, therefore Jane is a human. This sort of categorical syllogism analyzed through: A. The definition of terms B. The Quality of terms and C. The quantitiy of terms.

The type of reasoning generally used in every day life and in the clinical arena is the conditional syllogism as a subset of the categorical syllogism

The conditional syllogism states: If a is b, a is c. A is b therefore a is c.

The conditonal syllogism's rules are basically. If the antecedant is true then the subsequent is true. If the subsequent is false then the antecedent is false. If the antecedent is false, the subsequent is not necessarily false.

If the subsequent is true, then the antecedent is not necessarily true.

If you understand these basic rules of deductive reasoning, then you will understand the "critical thinking" that is so very important in making those critical nursing decisions and nursing assessments.

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Nov 26, 2006

what the heck? :yawn:

Trauma Columnist · Nov 26, 2006

I too am not sure what the question is and then I'm not sure of the answer.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

I too am not sure what the question is and then I'm not sure of the answer.

I'm in the same boat. Could you please clarify your question abit more clearly?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 26, 2006

You know what - I went back and looked at the OP's profile and she is from England. Maybe this is a cultural difference? At any rate, I didn't understand the answer either...

odobodoko · Nov 26, 2006

Critical thinking is imperative for nursing. Therefore, a good knowledge of the basic principles of deductive logic is important as the same is the basis for critical thinking. There are two basic types of deductive logic. The first is the categorical syllogism and the second is the conditional syllogism as an subset of the hypothetical syllogism.
The categorical syllogism state: All humans communicate through language, Jane is a human, therefore Jane is a human. This sort of categorical syllogism analyzed through: A. The definition of terms B. The Quality of terms and C. The quantitiy of terms.
The type of reasoning generally used in every day life and in the clinical arena is the conditional syllogism as a subset of the categorical syllogism
The conditional syllogism states: If a is b, a is c. A is b therefore a is c.
The conditonal syllogism's rules are basically. If the antecedant is true then the subsequent is true. If the subsequent is false then the antecedent is false. If the antecedent is false, the subsequent is not necessarily false.
If the subsequent is true, then the antecedent is not necessarily true.
If you understand these basic rules of deductive reasoning, then you will understand the "critical thinking" that is so very important in making those critical nursing decisions and nursing assessments.

Are you kidding?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 26, 2006

I can't pronounce this poster's name let alone know what they are saying...again I plead - what is the topic??

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2006

what types of nursing knowledge underpins an assessment process,

So you want to know what you need to know in order to make a good nursing assessment?

How about, know what is supposed to be "normal", do your head to toe and focus on what isn't normal.

I generally break my day down like this. I have a patient who needs dressing changes, bathing, wound care, breathing treatments... But I also need to stay on top of the changes in their condition, oxygenation, lab values, and act accordingly. So I prioritize the routine, and give myself time for all he** to break loose, because if I don't plan for it, it will happen!

Hope this helps - I think I grasped what you were asking...

Blee

zenman · Nov 27, 2006

hello everyone,
I'm new and have started my training, i have finished my first placement and was meant to ask my mentor, what types of nursing knowledge underpins an assessment process, would be grateful for some help as i only say my mentor for 20 min as he was to busy to spend any time with me, i am really stuck and my essays due in next week so would really appreciate advice thank you

The use of most of your senses are the foundation for assessment. Just be careful with taste.

edna317 · Nov 27, 2006

I agree with the head to toe assessment. If you are brand new to nursing, keep a cheat sheet in your pocket for reference of what normal parameters are. Anything outside of these parameters deserves a second look and needs correction. Set your priorities: Breathing, pulse?? if you walk in a patient's room and there is blood dripping, you take care of that first before you try to assess the level of consciousness or level of orienation- person, place, and time. When in doubt, ask for help. You are not expected to know it all. I sure do not know it all, and I have been at it for 31 years.

DaFreak71 · Nov 27, 2006

I believe that the first answer is saying that a basis in logic is the most important factor in critical thinking. He/she is on target, but for those who have not yet taken a course in logic or studied it themselves, it doesn't preclude the ability to develop critical thinking skills.