Published Sep 21, 2008
AZLeola
7 Posts
I need to survey a few nurses on how they make clinical decisions for an assignment for school. If some of you could help me that would be
great ! The questions are:
Thanks:)
Babs0512
846 Posts
1. To make clinical decisions I look at subjective and objective data and apply it to the nursing process.
2. I utilize date that I can see, like how the patient looks, what is their vital signs, their lab values, I&O's etc... objective data. I utilize subjective data as well, what is the patient telling me, does it jive with my objective data, what was the opinion of the previous nurse, what did the doctor write in his/her note, what new orders have been given.
3. I absolutely utilize my own intuition - I have cultivate a keen eye for potential problems over the years and I have learned not to ignore the "little voice" in my head. My intuition only enhances my other data.
thanks you babs0512 for the response :wink2:!
locolorenzo22, BSN, RN
2,396 Posts
I first look at the objective data(i.e. temperature, blood pressure, oxygen %), then I look at the patient to determine what I can do. If the temperature is high, is the heat on? do they have 12 blankets? have they been high all day? Do I have tylenol to give them? Do they need a compress? etc.
I use enviromental cues, drug books, other nurses, and even the internet.
Yes, all the time. It impacts my decsion when I figure out what type of pain med a patient needs, if I need to call a doctor, or when I need to ask a coworker that "hey, I don't know what else to do."
Daytonite, BSN, RN
1 Article; 14,604 Posts
[*]what sources of information do you use to make those decisions?
[*]do you ever use your own intuition and, if so, when and how do you feel it impacts the decision you made.