Medical-Surgical Nursing I (Med-Surg I) Clinical Judgment Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and critical knowledge from Medical-Surgical Nursing I related to clinical judgment and patient care.

Lippincott Clinical Judgment Exam (LCJR)

An exam assessing clinical judgment, prioritization, decision-making based on the NCSBN’s Clinical Judgment Measurement Model.

Recognize Cues

Step in the Clinical Judgment Model where important data is identified.

Analyze Cues

Step in the Clinical Judgment Model where the nurse determines what is going wrong based on the recognized cues.

Prioritize Hypotheses

Step in the Clinical Judgment Model where the most critical patient issues are identified.

Generate Solutions

Step in the Clinical Judgment Model involving brainstorming possible nursing interventions.

Take Action

Step in the Clinical Judgment Model where the nurse implements the best immediate nursing intervention.

Evaluate Outcomes

Final step in the Clinical Judgment Model assessing if the nursing interventions were effective.

ABCs

Airway, Breathing, Circulation; fundamental principles in prioritizing patient care.

Red Flags

Critical signs or symptoms that signal imminent risk to patient health.

SOB

Shortness of Breath; can indicate various respiratory issues.

Hypovolemic shock

A condition resulting from severe fluid loss causing inadequate perfusion.

Hypokalemia

A condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood.

CHF

Congestive Heart Failure; a chronic condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood.

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis; a condition involving the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; a group of lung diseases that block airflow.

MI

Myocardial Infarction; commonly referred to as a heart attack.

Sepsis

A life-threatening condition resulting from the body's response to an infection.

K+ (Potassium)

An essential electrolyte involved in several bodily functions, its levels are critical in cardiac health.

ABGs

Arterial Blood Gases, a test that measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

NG tube

Nasogastric tube; a flexible tube placed through the nose into the stomach.

Interventions

Actions taken to improve patient outcomes based on clinical judgment.

Fluid Volume Deficit

A state resulting from a loss of fluid leading to negative effects on health.

Fluid Volume Overload

A condition characterized by excessive fluid in the body possibly leading to heart failure.