UPDATE 2026
Define Clinical Reasoning - Answers The ability to focus and filter clinical data to
recognize what is MOST and LEAST important - Used filtered data to identify the
actual problem that is present.
When using clinical reasoning, are you filtering subjective or objective information? -
Answers Both
What is another word for Clinical Reasoning? - Answers Critical Thinking
How is Clinical Reasoning/Critical Thinking developed in terms of education? -
Answers An RN develops clinical reasoning/critical thinking through knowledge
obtained in school and their responsibility to stay up to date on the best available
evidence (information)
How is Clinical Reasoning/Critical Thinking developed in terms of time/experience? -
Answers Over time, the ability to filter information improves as the RN gains more
experience
↑ Time ↑ Experience ↑ Clinical Reasoning/Critical Thinking Ability
Define Intuitive Reasoning - Answers Byproduct of knowledge and experience
allows a nurse to automatically respond or know what to do in situations, having
exposure to similar past experiences
When the RN knows something without specific evidence
Combo of knowledge and experience
What type of reasoning is most likely to be used by an experienced nurse who is new
to a nursing specialty and a novice nurse? - Answers Analytic Reasoning
Example of Analytic Reasoning - Answers When a veteran nurse in a new speciality,
seeks help from a nurse familiar with the specialty, to assure they are performing
actions correctly.
What reasoning process does a novice nurse rely on? How is this helpful to an
experienced nurse? - Answers A novice graduate nurse tends to rely on analytic
reasoning process, consider different possibilities, and deduce the solution - Uses the
most up to date data
An experienced nurse who may not have time to keep up with the most up to date
information, they will welcome latest information from a novice nurse
What are the two sub-forms of Clinical Reasoning? - Answers Analytic and Intuitive
Reasoning
What are Critical Thinking Indicators? - Answers Being honest and Up-right
Looking for the truth, even when the truth is not positive
Demonstrating integrity
Adhering to moral and ethical standards
Admit flaws when they occur
Flexible
Proactive
Prudent
Seeking help when it is needed
Admitting when we need help
Open to changing our mind
, What are barriers to developing critical thinking skills? - Answers Environment
Interruptions
Time Pressures
Tax complexity
How is the environment a barrier to development of critical thinking skills? -
Answers Influences what a nurse notices
Demanding environments of care add increased burden on making clinical judgments
- Can interfere with competent clinical judgment
How are interruptions a barrier to development of critical thinking skills? - Answers
RN can forget important facts
Thoughts can become distracted
What example of a way organizations try to prevent medication errors? - Answers
Medication room allows RN to close the door, increasing concentration, and
decreasing the chance of a mistake being made
How are time pressures a barrier to development of critical thinking skills? - Answers
Less time available to make a decision
Increases potential for clinical judgments errors and the chance to commit an error or
mistake
How is tax complexity a barrier to development of critical thinking skills? - Answers
When faced with complicated patient situations, clinical judgments are challenged
As the complexity of the situation increases, an RN's ability to critically think is
decreased
How can organizations avoid tax complexity affecting an RN's critical thinking skills?
- Answers Equally distribute or share patients with high complexity or multiple needs
What are factors that can affect clinical judgment? - Answers Experience level
(Novice or expert)
Knowledge base
Environment
Fatigue
Stress
Patient complexity
Communication barriers
Biases and assumptions
Confidence level
Availability of resources or support
Define Reflection In Action - Answers Happens in real time
Example of Reflection In Action - Answers Giving a medication - The patient refuses
a medication because it is going to drop their BP too low, causing them to become
sick
When a patient refuses a medication, investigate why they do not want to take it
- Use blood sugar trends
- Ask the patient how often they skip their medication
Chart why the medication is being refused
Contact the provider
Define Reflection On Action - Answers Happens after the patient care occurs
Examples of Reflection On Action - Answers You're on your way home thinking
about what could have done better
As you're leaving the room, you wonder if that was the right intervention to do