A nurse is using assessment data gathered about a patient and combining critical thinking to develop a nursing diagnosis. What is the nurse doing?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Diagnostic reasoning. This involves analyzing assessment data, utilizing critical thinking skills to identify patient problems, and formulating nursing diagnoses. Diagnostic reasoning is the process of synthesizing information to make clinical judgments and determine appropriate interventions. A: Assigning clinical cues - Incorrect. This refers to identifying observable signs or symptoms, not the process of developing a nursing diagnosis. B: Defining characteristics - Incorrect. This term is often used to describe the symptoms or manifestations associated with a nursing diagnosis, not the process of deriving the diagnosis. D: Diagnostic labeling - Incorrect. This is the final step in the nursing diagnosis process where the nurse assigns a label to the identified patient problem, not the process of critical thinking and data analysis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Diagnostic reasoning. The nurse is utilizing assessment data to analyze and interpret the information to develop a nursing diagnosis. This involves critical thinking skills to make conclusions and create a plan of care. A: Assigning clinical cues - This choice is incorrect as it refers to identifying objective and subjective data during assessment, not the process of analyzing and synthesizing data to form a diagnosis. B: Defining characteristics - This choice is incorrect as it typically refers to the specific manifestations or symptoms associated with a particular nursing diagnosis, not the process of diagnosing itself. D: Diagnostic labeling - This choice is incorrect as it refers to the final step in the nursing diagnosis process where the nurse assigns a label to the identified problem, not the overall process of diagnostic reasoning.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Performing a physical examination. This method allows the nurse to collect objective data directly from the patient, which is crucial in establishing a comprehensive patient database. By assessing the patient's physical condition, the nurse can gather vital information such as vital signs, overall health status, and potential areas of concern. Reviewing literature (A) and checking orders for tests (B) may provide additional insights but are not direct data collection methods. Ordering medications (D) is a treatment intervention, not a data collection method.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Diagnostic reasoning. The nurse is using assessment data to analyze, interpret, and make a judgement about the patient's condition. This process involves critical thinking skills to develop a nursing diagnosis. Choice A (Assigning clinical cues) is incorrect because it refers to identifying specific signs and symptoms. Choice B (Defining characteristics) is incorrect as it pertains to the features of a diagnosed condition. Choice D (Diagnostic labeling) is incorrect because it focuses on naming a specific nursing diagnosis. Diagnostic reasoning encompasses the entire process of analyzing data, making connections, and formulating a nursing diagnosis based on critical thinking.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) - the patient verbalizing a decreased pain level less than 3 on a 0 to 10 scale by the end of this shift. This outcome is immediate, concrete, and directly related to the goal of managing pain. Choice B is incorrect as it lacks specificity and a clear timeframe for evaluation. Choice C is incorrect because the outcome is vague and does not specify when the patient needs to understand the dietary changes. Choice D is incorrect because the timeframe is provided but the outcome is not specific enough and does not directly relate to the goal of pain management.