A patient has arrived at the critical care unit with a head injury. On admission, the patient is talking and is a little drowsy but oriented. Two hours later, the nurse discovers that the patient is talking at a rapid pace and keeps repeating his words. When the nurse recognizes the change and deploys the rapid response team and physician, which skill is being demonstrated?
A) Leadership
B) Clinical judgment
C) Clinical decision making
D) Management

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The competent nurse uses the information about head injury, change in mental status from talking and drowsy but oriented to talking at a rapid pace, and the potential for the patient to deteriorate to discern that the patient is experiencing cerebral edema or increased intracranial pressure. The nurse is demonstrating clinical judgment, which is the interpretation of the information of patient problems and needs.

A Patient Has Arrived at the Critical Care Unit with a Head