What do you do if critical thinking fails during problem-solving as a nurse?

Revert back to your training, seek support from senior staff, ensure your safety is your number one priority. Engage in tactical breathing. I disagree with what was stated above as everything that was stated already involves critical thinking.

When critical thinking stalls mid-problem as a nurse, it's essential to pause and breathe deeply to reset. In this brief moment, focus on clearing your mind of clutter. Reassess the situation by asking, "What is the immediate need?" and "What are my resources?" Reflect on similar past experiences and what insights they offer. Sometimes, a fresh perspective helps, so consider consulting a colleague. Their input can illuminate unseen angles and revive your problem-solving process. This way, you step back into action more centered and ready to tackle the challenge with renewed clarity and confidence.

Agree, have an open mind. There is more then one way to skin a cat. I find it useful to play "what if" situations in your head before incidents. When doing this, you will run into obstacles and be able to figure appropriate avenues to pursue. By playing "what if" situations before incident actually arise, the will raise questions in one's mind which will give you an opportunity to seek and ask clarifying questions to the appropriate personnel.

I would be the first to admit if I am not knowledgeable of something. My first instinct would be to ask others for their input since odds are there will be someone who can help in this instance.

Absolutely! Reflect and grow. Even on that car ride home, allowing yourself to reflect on an incident/situation and analyzing what went good and what went poor. To add, also reflecting on others experiences. Sometimes unfortunate mistakes are made in the field by our colleague's and by reflecting on their situation can help us prepare for situations that we may soon face in the field. (What went well, what went wrong) - "How can we learn from this?"