How can you identify and manage musculoskeletal issues using clinical reasoning?
Musculoskeletal issues are common and often complex problems that affect the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves of the body. They can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and reduced mobility and function. As a nurse, you need to use clinical reasoning to identify and manage these issues effectively and safely. Clinical reasoning is the process of collecting and interpreting information, making decisions, and taking actions based on evidence, experience, and judgement. In this article, you will learn how to apply clinical reasoning to musculoskeletal issues using a six-step framework that will help you to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate, and reflect on your interventions.