Clinical Reasoning Cycle

Question 1

What are the 8 stages in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Answer 1

Consider the patient's situation
Collect cue/information
Process information
Identify Problems issues
Establish goals
Take action
Evaluate outcomes
Reflect on process and new learning

Question 2

What does S.M.A.R.T stand for and when is this tool used?

Answer 2

When making goals

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timely

Question 3

Describe what happens when considering the patient’s situation

Answer 3

Describe/list the relevant facts around the patient’s situation and medical history and begin to form an impression

Question 4

Describe what happens in the collect cues/information stage

Answer 4

Collect information and cues from the patient and relate this to the information you have already. This involves an awareness of the holistic nature of health and illness

Question 5

Describe what happens in the process information phase

Answer 5

Take information gathered in first two stages and begin to form a hypothesis about the patient’s condition. This includes identifying abnormal findings, clustering clues and interpreting patterns

Question 6

Describe what happens in the identify problems/issues phase

Answer 6

Use the processed information to establish what the most pertinent problems are with your patient and make a definitive diagnosis

Question 7

Describe what happens in the establish goals phase

Answer 7

Before implementing any nursing interventions you must establish desired outcomes in an appropriate timeframe. Do this by making S.M.A.R.T goals

Question 8

Describe what happens in the take action phase

Answer 8

Select the most appropriate course of action, who is best suited to carry it out, who should be notified and when

Question 9

Describe what happens in the evaluate outcomes phase

Answer 9

Evaluate the effectiveness of your interventions re-evaluate the cues of the patient and their condition to determine if they have improved

Question 10

Describe what happens in the reflect on process and new learning phase

Answer 10

The final step involves reviewing your practice by looking for areas to be improved upon and identifying what went well in the process

Question 11

What are the 5 categories of phases within the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Answer 11

Investigate and explore
Respond and react
Formulate and develop
Implement and accomplish
Review, rationale and reflect