At the completion of an assessment, the nurse chooses a nursing diagnosis that best defines the patient's health problems. Which type of clinical judgment should the nurse use at this time?

Question

1. Diagnostic reasoning
2. Evidence-based practice
3. Critical pathway
4. Nursing process

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1

Diagnostic reasoning is a form of clinical judgment used to make decisions about which diagnostic label best describes the patterns of patient data. Evidence-based practice refers to the implementation of care initiatives that have been supported by research. A critical pathway is a healthcare plan developed to provide care with a multidisciplinary, managed action focus. The nursing process is a series of critical thinking and clinical reasoning activities nurses use as they provide care to patients.