Which method of data collection will the nurse use to establish a patient’s database?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Performing a physical examination. This method allows the nurse to gather objective data directly from the patient's body, such as vital signs, skin condition, and overall health status. It provides a comprehensive overview of the patient's current health status and helps in establishing a baseline for further assessments and interventions. Reviewing literature (A) is important for evidence-based practice but does not directly establish a patient's database. Checking orders for tests (B) is essential but does not provide a holistic view of the patient. Ordering medications (D) is a treatment intervention and not a data collection method.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Diagnostic reasoning. Diagnostic reasoning involves using assessment data and critical thinking skills to develop a nursing diagnosis. This process includes analyzing and interpreting data to make clinical judgments about the patient's health status. A: Assigning clinical cues is incorrect because this refers to identifying and documenting specific observations or findings during the assessment process, not the process of developing a nursing diagnosis. B: Defining characteristics is incorrect because this refers to the specific symptoms or manifestations used to support a nursing diagnosis, not the overall process of diagnostic reasoning. D: Diagnostic labeling is incorrect because this refers to assigning a formal name to the nursing diagnosis, not the process of critically analyzing assessment data to develop it.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Performing a physical examination. This method allows the nurse to directly gather patient data through observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. It helps in assessing the patient's overall health status, identifying any abnormalities, and establishing a baseline for further care. Reviewing literature (A) helps in evidence-based practice but does not directly collect patient data. Checking orders for tests (B) and ordering medications (D) involve actions based on data collected rather than collecting the data itself.

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 because performing a physical examination is the method nurses use to establish a patient's database. This involves directly assessing the patient's physical condition, gathering data on their health status, and identifying any abnormalities or concerns. Reviewing literature (A) is important but not a direct method of collecting patient data. Checking orders for tests (B) is part of data collection but not the initial step. Ordering medications (D) is a treatment action, not data collection.