Clinical Reasoning Cycle: Learn The Critical Thinking Process In Nursing Practice

About clinical reasoning cycle

The clinical reasoning cycle is a process through which medical professionals collect and process the information to identify the problem facing by the patient. The whole process depends on the disposition of the person and can influence by attitudes, philosophical perspectives, and biases of the individual. It is an essential process for the patient because effective clinical reasoning can have a positive impact on a patient’s life. In 2009, Levett–Jones explains that clinical reasoning is a process by which medical professionals and nurses collect cues, process the collected information, understand the patient problem, and implement the appropriate intervention. Then they evaluate the outcomes and reflect on the outcomes and learn new things from the whole process.

Clinical Reasoning Cycle

As per Levett–Jones, right cues, proper action, timing, and reason can improve the effectiveness of clinical reasoning. Nursing professional training schools in different countries are using different models to teach their students about critical thinking and the process of reflection which are an integral part of nursing practice. At present, the clinical reasoning cycle is considering an important model in nursing essays and training purposes. Clinical reasoning cycle nursing essay can help the student to understand the purpose and effective utilization of the cycle for improving the patient situation and enhance their professional capabilities and expertise.

Importance of clinical reasoning cycle

It is a procedure for involving the nurses in care practice and developing a clear understanding of the current status of the patient and formulating a constructive care plan for their better health and wellbeing. The clinical reasoning cycle is applied to recognize the recovery status of the patient. It helps to identify the deterioration of the patient's condition. It is an important professional skill that helps in the professional growth and development of the nurse.

Nurses with poor clinical reasoning skills can create risks for their patients. If the nurses are unable to recognize the problem then they are unable to manage the complications as a result patient may face an adverse health crisis. The situation can be controlled when the nurses have proper knowledge about the clinical reasoning cycle and they apply it properly for their patient. Clinical reasoning is important for patient survival and safety.

A quick overview of the clinical reasoning cycle

    The clinical reasoning cycle refers to eight stages that need to be followed while conducting the nursing practice. It includes considering the patient's condition, gathering the information, process the information, identifying the problem, establishing the goal, taking intervention, and evaluating the outcomes of the intervention. Application of all the stages can improve the quality of services and patient recovery. Jones’s clinical reasoning cycle includes eight fundamental steps:

  1. Consider The Patient's Condition: In this step need to gather information related to patient health and check their health status.
  2. Collect Cues: The nurses should record the past medical history of the patient and need to collect and maintain all the gathered past medical information.
  3. Process Information: In this step, all the health-related information of the patient needs to process and consider the possible outcomes for the decision or intervention.
  4. Identify The Issue: Nurses can assume the reason behind the present health condition of the patient after processing all the information.
  5. Establish Goal: Medical professionals can establish a treatment plan for the patient which can improve the patient's condition.
  6. Take Action: Nurses can implement the plan, and each member of the medical team should have enough information about the treatment plan and desirable outcomes.
  7. Evaluate The Outcomes: It is an essential step of the clinical reasoning cycle. The medical professional has to evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan. It can help to recognize the recovery state of the patient after the implementation of the action plan.
  8. Reflect On Process And Learning: It is the last step of the clinical reasoning cycle. The nurses need to reflect on their learning process and identify their declining areas that need improvement.

The clinical reasoning cycle requires a critical thinking process that can improve the quality of services and offer safety and security to the patient. It is a skill that requires proper training, guidance, and learning opportunities. The clinical reasoning cycle can enhance the problem solving and decision-making capabilities of the nurses.