Question

Identify and explain 4 skills needed for clinical reasoning. Share, in detail, how you have used one in the past.

Answer 1

It is a process where both inductive and deductive cognitive skills are used. Sometimes clinical reasoning is presented as a form of evaluating scientific knowledge, sometimes even as a form of scientific reasoning. Critical thinking is inherent in making sound clinical reasoning.

Clinical reasoning The process by which nurses (and other clinicians) collect cues, process the information, come to an understanding of a patient problem or situation, plan and implement interventions, evaluate outcomes, and reflect on and learn from the process.

The clinical reasoning skills includes;

1.Identify the problem - Synthesise facts and inferences to
make a definitive diagnosis of the
patient‟s problem.
Example; He is hypovolaemic and the epidural
has worsened the BP by causing
vasodilation.

2. Establish goals - Describe what you want to happen, a
desired outcome, a time frame.

Example. -I want to improve his haemodynamic
status – get his BP up and urine output
back to normal over the next hour.

3. Take actions - Select a course of action between
different alternatives available
Example. - I will ring the doctor to get an order to
increase his IV rate and to give aramine
if needed.
4. Evaluate
Evaluate the effectiveness of
outcomes and actions.

Example. - Ask: “has the

situation improved now?”
His BP is up for now but we will need to
keep an eye on it as he may still need
aramine a bit later. His urine output is
averaging > 30mL/hr now

But in the past the system was totally different. For example, identifying the problem or issues of the patient depends on the diagnostic reports, or from the care takers or by the physician itself.