clinical practice frameworks

What is professional nursing practice?

The application of specialised knowledge, clinical skills, critical thinking and ethical principles to provide safe, evidence-based and person-centred care.

What does professional nursing practice involve?

Assessing health needs, planning care, implementing care and supporting individuals, families and communities to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Why is professional nursing practice important?

It promotes safe, ethical, accountable and evidence-based care while protecting patients and supporting high-quality healthcare.

What guides nursing practice in Australia?

National standards, codes of conduct and competency frameworks.

What is clinical decision-making?

A systematic process that helps nurses think critically, make safe decisions and deliver evidence-based care.

What framework is commonly used for clinical decision-making?

The Clinical Reasoning Cycle.

What is the purpose of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

To support safe, evidence-based nursing decisions through systematic thinking.

What is the first step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Consider the patient situation.

What is the second step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Collect cues and information.

What is the third step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Process information.

What is the fourth step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Identify problems/issues.

What is the fifth step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Establish goals.

What is the sixth step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Take action.

What is the seventh step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Evaluate outcomes.

What is the eighth step of the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

Reflect on the process and new learning.

What is collected during the 'Collect Cues' stage?

Assessment findings, observations, patient history and relevant clinical information.

What occurs during the 'Process Information' stage?

Data is interpreted and analysed to identify patterns and issues.

Why is reflection important in the Clinical Reasoning Cycle?

It improves future nursing practice and decision-making.

What are the five steps of the Nursing Process?

Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation (ADPIE).

What occurs during the assessment phase?

Collection of patient data and health information.

What occurs during the diagnosis phase?

Identification of actual and potential health problems.

What occurs during the planning phase?

Setting goals and developing nursing interventions.

What occurs during implementation?

Carrying out nursing interventions.

What occurs during evaluation?

Determining whether goals were achieved and care was effective.

How does the Nursing Process support safe care?

It provides a systematic and evidence-based approach to decision-making.

What is prioritisation in nursing?

Determining which patient needs require immediate attention and action.

Why is prioritisation important?

It helps deliver safe and effective patient care.

What does ABCD stand for?

Airway, Breathing, Circulation and Disability.

What is the highest priority in ABCD?

Airway.

Why is airway the highest priority?

Without a patent airway, oxygen cannot reach the body.

What is assessed under Breathing?

Ventilation and gas exchange.

What is assessed under Circulation?

Blood flow, shock, haemorrhage and perfusion.

What is assessed under Disability?

Neurological status and level of consciousness.

When is DRSABCD commonly used?

Emergency situations and unconscious patients.

What is patient acuity?

The severity and complexity of a patient’s condition.

Which patients receive priority according to acuity models?

High-acuity patients with unstable observations and complex needs.

Why are acuity models used?

To assist with workload allocation and prioritisation of care.

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

A framework that prioritises human needs from basic physiological needs to self-actualisation.

Which needs are prioritised first according to Maslow?

Physiological needs.

Give examples of physiological needs.

Oxygen, fluids, food and shelter.

How is Maslow’s Hierarchy used in nursing?

To prioritise patient care and support holistic care planning.

What is discharge planning?

The process of ensuring a safe transition from healthcare to home or another care setting.

What is the purpose of discharge planning?

To promote continuity of care, patient safety and recovery.

Who is involved in discharge planning?

Nurses, the multidisciplinary team, the patient and family.

Why is discharge planning important?

It reduces complications, supports recovery and improves patient outcomes.