Wk4: Ch43 Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, cognitive skills, and reasoning framework concepts from the Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking lecture notes.

Clinical Judgment

The thought process that allows nurses to arrive at a conclusion — based on objective and subjective patient information — to achieve positive patient outcomes.

Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM)

A model developed by NCSBN researchers to give educators a tangible way to teach, assess, and measure clinical judgment skills in nursing students and guide new NCLEX question development.

ADPIE Framework

A nursing process framework developed in the 1950s that consists of Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Recognize Cues

The first Layer 3 cognitive skill of the CJMM, which involves collecting assessment data and identifying relevant, important, and immediately concerning information.

Analyze Cues

The second Layer 3 cognitive skill of the CJMM, which involves linking cues to patient history and identifying abnormal findings and potential complications.

Prioritize Hypotheses

The third Layer 3 cognitive skill of the CJMM, which involves determining which possibilities are most likely, most serious, and highest priority.

Generate Solutions

The fourth Layer 3 cognitive skill of the CJMM, which involves planning specific actions classified as indicated, contraindicated, or nonessential.

Take Action

The fifth Layer 3 cognitive skill of the CJMM, which involves performing interventions based on nursing knowledge, priorities, and planned outcomes.

Evaluate Outcomes

The sixth Layer 3 cognitive skill of the CJMM, which involves comparing observed versus expected outcomes and revising the plan of care as needed.

Critical Thinking

A broad term encompassing reasoning about clinical issues such as teamwork, collaboration, and streamlining workflow, requiring nurses to take extra steps to maintain safety and validate information.

Clinical Reasoning

A complex cognitive process using formal and informal thinking strategies to gather and analyze patient information, evaluate its significance, and weigh alternative actions.

Inductive Reasoning

Bottom-up thinking in which the nurse notices cues, organizes them into patterns (generalizations), and creates a hypothesis.

Deductive Reasoning

Top-down thinking in which the nurse applies a general standard or rule to all patients.

Thinking Ahead

A proactive cognitive approach where the nurse anticipates potential outcomes and complications before a crisis develops.

Thinking in Action

Thought processes that occur while actively performing interventions.

Reflection on Thinking

Evaluation performed after interventions to determine whether clinical decisions were reactive or responsive.

Evidence-Based Practice (QSEN)

Providing quality patient care based on up-to-date, theory-derived research and knowledge, rather than personal beliefs, advice, or traditional methods.

Critical Thinking Indicators (CTIs)

Tangible behaviors that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that promote critical thinking.

Alfaro-LeFevre's 4-Circle CT Model

A model organizing critical thinking competency into four overlapping components: Personal Characteristics, Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities, Interpersonal and Self-Management Skills, and Technical Skills.