Week 5: The Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Week 5 Learning Objectives
By the end of this week, students will be able to:Describe the five steps of the nursing process (ADPIE) and their interrelationships.
Differentiate between the nursing process and medical decision-making.
Explain the components and purpose of clinical judgment models in nursing practice.
Apply the nursing process and beginning clinical judgment skills to a simple patient scenario.
Identify how the nursing process supports safe, holistic, and person-centered care.
Required Readings & ResourcesBlack, B. P. (2024). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (10th ed.), Chapter 5: “The Nursing Process” (or equivalent pages)
Tanner, C. A. (2006). “Thinking like a nurse: A research-based model of clinical judgment” (provided PDF)
AACN (2021). The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice & Domain 2: Person-Centered Care
Video resources:
– “The Nursing Process Explained” (10 min)
– “Clinical Judgment vs. Nursing Process” (8 min)
Case study scenarios (provided in the Week 5 module)
Week 5 Assignments1. Main Discussion Board: Nursing Process vs. Clinical Judgment in Practice
Due: Initial Post: Wednesday, 11:59 PM
Minimum of 2 Peer Responses: Sunday, 11:59 PM
Points: 25 points Discussion Prompt:The nursing process (ADPIE) has long served as the systematic framework for nursing practice, while clinical judgment models (such as Tanner’s Clinical Judgment Model) emphasize the cognitive processes nurses use to make sound decisions in complex situations.After completing the Week 5 readings and videos:Briefly explain the five steps of the nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation) and their cyclical nature.
Define clinical judgment and describe the four main aspects of Tanner’s Clinical Judgment Model (Noticing, Interpreting, Responding, Reflecting).
Compare and contrast the nursing process with clinical judgment. In what ways are they similar? How does clinical judgment expand or enhance the traditional nursing process?
Using a simple patient example (hypothetical or from your observations), illustrate how a nurse would use both the nursing process and clinical judgment when caring for a patient. Provide at least one specific example of how “Noticing” or “Reflecting” adds depth to the ADPIE steps.
Your initial post must be 300–350 words minimum. Support your discussion with at least two scholarly sources (textbook counts as one). Use APA 7th edition for citations and references.Response Requirements:
Reply substantively to at least two classmates. In each response (100–150 words), discuss how their example demonstrates holistic or person-centered care, or suggest one additional way clinical judgment could be applied in their scenario.Grading Rubric (25 points): Accurate explanation of nursing process and clinical judgment (8 pts)
Clear comparison and contrast with supporting examples (8 pts)
Application to a patient scenario (5 pts)
Scholarly support, APA, and quality of peer responses (4 pts)
2. Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment Case Study Worksheet
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM
Points: 35 points Assignment Instructions:Complete the provided Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment Case Study Worksheet (downloadable Word document in the Week 5 module).Patient Scenario (included in worksheet):Mr. Jamal Thompson, a 68-year-old male, is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. He reports shortness of breath, productive cough with green sputum, fatigue, and decreased appetite for the past 3 days. His vital signs are: Temperature 101.2°F (38.4°C), Heart Rate 98 bpm, Respiratory Rate 24 breaths/min, Blood Pressure 138/82 mmHg, Oxygen Saturation 92% on room air. He lives alone and expresses concern about who will care for his dog while he is hospitalized.Tasks (complete all sections on the worksheet):Assessment: Identify and prioritize at least 6 relevant assessment data points (subjective and objective). Explain why each is important.
Nursing Diagnosis: Formulate two actual or potential nursing diagnoses in correct PES format (Problem-Etiology-Signs/Symptoms). Prioritize them.
Planning: For each nursing diagnosis, write one SMART outcome/goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Implementation: List at least four evidence-based nursing interventions (with rationale) that address the prioritized diagnoses.
Evaluation: Describe specific criteria you would use to evaluate whether the outcomes were met. What would you do if the goals were only partially met?
Clinical Judgment Application: Using Tanner’s model, identify at least one example of “Noticing,” “Interpreting,” “Responding,” and “Reflecting” that would occur while caring for Mr. Thompson.
Submission:
Fill in all sections of the worksheet and upload the completed Word document to the assignment dropbox. Do not submit a PDF.Grading Criteria (35 points):Completeness and accuracy of ADPIE components (18 pts)
Correct use of nursing diagnosis format and prioritization (6 pts)
Quality and relevance of interventions with rationales (6 pts)
Application of Tanner’s Clinical Judgment Model (3 pts)
Overall organization, clarity, and professional presentation (2 pts)
Tips for Success: Use only approved nursing diagnosis resources (e.g., NANDA-I).
Focus on holistic care — include physical, psychosocial, and environmental factors.
Be concise yet specific in your responses.
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