Final answer:
The nurse uses clinical judgment to compare actual and expected nursing outcomes to assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions, which is vital for patient care and helps in making necessary adjustments to improve health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse uses clinical judgment to compare actual nursing outcomes to expected nursing outcomes, the primary goal is to assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions. This is a key aspect of nursing care, distinguishing between the role of the nurse and the physician. Nurses, who often work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, focus on details such as ensuring treatments are properly administered, monitoring patient responses, and adjusting care plans as needed. These responsibilities are essential for the continuous improvement of patient care and for the accurate assessment of the patient's progress.
Physicians, on the other hand, rely on outcomes assessment to make decisions that could include changing the medical treatment plan or prescribing different medications. While analyzing patient outcomes, medical professionals use a systematic approach to review whether the goals of care are being met and to identify any necessary adjustments to the treatment regimen. This continuous assessment helps healthcare providers to determine the best course of action for each patient, which may include making prognostic estimations about the patient's length of stay or further medical interventions.