Keywords

abductive reasoning, decision theory, deductive reasoning, diagnosis, evidence-based practice (EBP), heuristics, inductive reasoning, intuition

 

Authors

  1. Gilliam, Stephen PhD, RN, FNP-BC

Abstract

Abstract: NPs can use the abductive, deductive, and inductive forms of reasoning to adopt a rational and consistent approach to transforming effective data into accurate diagnoses. A case example is used throughout the article to illustrate how these classic logical reasoning skills may be combined with knowledge and experience to address issues of diagnostic accuracy and decrease diagnostic errors.