A patient has arrived at the critical care unit with a head injury. On admission, the patient is talking and is a little drowsy but oriented. Two hours later, the nurse discovers that the patient is talking at a rapid pace and keeps repeating his words. Which of the following examples best depicts Benner's stages and appropriate critical-thinking processes in this situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This situation requires critical thinking to identify the potential cause of the patient's change in behavior. The nurse must consider the patient's head injury as a possible cause and assess for signs of cerebral edema, which can cause changes in speech and behavior. This level of reasoning is consistent with the competent stage of Benner's stages of clinical competence.

A Patient Has Arrived at the Critical Care Unit with a Head