Clinical Judgement

Question 1

Define clinical judgement

Answer 1

the processes by which nurses reach their decisions by choosing what to observe, interpreting the observations and taking appropriate actions by modifying approaches and improvising new ones for patient needs

Question 2

What are the important key factors in making a good clinical judgement?

Answer 2

• knowing what to observe
• interpreting observations correctly
• paying attention to subtle changes in patient condition
• taking appropriate actions based on relevant assessment data

Question 3

4 key elements of clinical judgement

Answer 3

1. Knowledge base- academic
2. Practical knowledge- practice based
3. Knowledge of patient
4. Cognitive skills-intuition, conscious decision-making, critical thinking

Question 4

How does a nurse’s intuition contribute to their clinical judgement?

Answer 4

it is achieved by learning to describe accurately common patient outcomes based on logical thinking and hunches which you then utilize your logic and experience to make a well-reasoned conclusion. It includes pattern recognition, sequence, common sense and deliberate rationality

Question 5

What are 3 problems with practicing based on intuition?

Answer 5

1. Pre-judging
2. Snap judgements
3. Forming opinions too early

Question 6

As a nurse, what factors may influence my clinical judgement?

Answer 6

• cognitive ability
• values/biases
• emotions
• practical knowledge
• relationship with patient

Question 7

What are some contextual factors that may influence my ability to make a good clinical judgement?

Answer 7

• demands of the situation
• meaning of tasks
• workplace culture
• workload

Question 8

What are the 2 key questions you must as when critically thinking ?

Answer 8

1. What are the exact results I need?

2. What are the problems or risks I must address to get the results

Question 9

Even though clinical judgement, critical thinking and critical reflection are all different, they all involve a few key factors. What are they?

Answer 9

• patient care
• conscious process
• observing
• attending to selected data
• analyzing
• responding to patient needs

Question 10

As a nurse, how can I increase my clinical judgement skills?

Answer 10

• knowledge
• follow policies and procedures
• good assessments
• adopt a system that works for you
• perform interventions
• learn from others
• learn new technology