Tanner's Interpreting is best described as

• A. Similar to planning, assembling information using theoretical and experiential knowledge or intuitive reasoning
• B. Similar to data collection
• C. Similar to evaluation
• D. Similar to implementation

Answer: (A)

Interpreting in Tanner's clinical judgment model is the thinking step where a nurse makes sense of the data by synthesizing cues with knowledge and experience (and even intuition when appropriate). It involves forming a clinical judgment about what is happening with the patient and deciding what actions are warranted. This mirrors planning in that it moves from information gathering to deciding on a course of care, rather than just collecting data, carrying out interventions, or evaluating outcomes. For example, after noticing several signs and symptoms, the nurse uses theory and past practice to interpret what they mean for the patient's condition and what monitoring or actions should follow.