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Key Terms

analysis
critical examination of the meaning of identified cues
assessment
collection of available data to inform care planning
clinical judgment
decision-making from use of critical thinking in the nursing process
critical thinking
metacognitive process that is learned academically and experientially on the continuum of nursing education and practice
evaluation
process of reviewing outcomes for effectiveness, as determined by the nurse and the client
evidence-based practice (EBP)
interventions formed by a combination of formal research findings, nursing competency, and the preferences of the client and family
implementation
nursing action of intervening according to the plan
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
exam that measures graduate nurses’ understanding of safe practice at the entry level
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
agency that coordinates the regulatory functions of individual state boards of nursing in the United States
nursing process
decision-making method in nursing practice
outcomes of care
measurable responses to interventions; results of goal-setting
person-centered care
client is the focused recipient of nursing care
planning
cognitive process of generating solutions to identified problems, setting goals of treatment, and developing nursing interventions to accomplish these objectives
therapeutic alliance
partnership with the client
therapeutic environment
safe physical location, such as a hospital, clinic, or home, and the supportive conditions within that location
unfolding case study
example of a client care scenario where the situation changes, seeking to replicate a real-life situation and to call upon decision-making skills of the nurse to respond as client needs present or change
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