PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation of critical thinking disposition and problem solving process, and the simulation-based assessment of clinical competence based on a survey of college nursing students. METHODS: In this descriptive correlation study, data for 214 nursing students were analyzed using t-test and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Critical thinking disposition, problem solving process, and simulation-based assessment of clinical competence averaged 3.76+/-0.46 (out of 5), 3.67+/-0.47 (5), and 1.51+/-0.17 (2), respectively. A significant difference in scores for simulation-based assessment of clinical competence was found between the high-scoring group and low-scoring group in critical thinking disposition. A significant positive correlation was found between critical thinking disposition and nursing assessment, a sub-domain of clinical competence. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that success in simulation-based learning requires critical thinking disposition in the nursing students, and their critical thinking disposition plays a positive role in nursing assessment, which evaluates the patient's status in a complex situation. Simulation-based learning programs help assess the students' levels in their clinical judgement and performance, and identify their strengths and weaknesses so that the instructor can evaluate and improve the current teaching method.
Clinical Competence* ; Humans ; Learning ; Nursing Assessment ; Pediatric Nursing* ; Problem Solving* ; Statistics as Topic ; Students, Nursing* ; Teaching ; Thinking*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ondansetron combined with dexamethasone on Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) and pain with ondansetron alone in patients with laparoscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy under general anesthesia. METHODS: Data were collected from April 1 through September 30, 2005 using a double blind method. Ondansetron 4 mg and dexamethasone 10 mg were administered to the experimental group (25 patients), and ondansetron 4 mg only to the control group (25 patients). The medications were administered through an intravenous line at the beginning peritoneum suture. PONV by Index of Nausea Vomiting and Retching (INVR), nausea by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and pain (VAS) were assessed at postoperative 1 hr, 3 hr, 6 hr, 24 hr, and 48 hr. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni methods. RESULTS: The experimental group that received ondansetron combined with dexamethasone had less PONV (p=.048), and nausea (p=.012) than control group that received ondansetron alone. However, there was no difference in pain (p=.557) between the patients in the two groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the administration of ondansetron combined with dexamethasone is more effective than the administration of ondansetron alone to reduce PONV in patients with laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Adult ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Analysis of Variance ; Anesthesia, General ; Antiemetics/*administration & dosage ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Dexamethasone/*administration & dosage ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; *Hysterectomy, Vaginal ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Ondansetron/*administration & dosage ; Pain/*drug therapy ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/*drug therapy ; Postoperative Period ; Time Factors