The nurse is applying a decision-making process to a clinical challenge. When applying this process, the nurse must:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In nursing, decision making involves selecting a course of action, as this nurse must do amidst a clinical challenge. Analyzing root causes or solving problems first are steps within problem solving a systematic subset of decision making but the core act is choosing, like opting for one treatment over another. Prioritizing the maximum good aligns with utilitarian ethics, but nursing often lacks the scope for such broad impact in single decisions. For instance, faced with a patient's deteriorating vitals, the nurse chooses between immediate intervention or monitoring, weighing options based on data and protocols. This choice-driven process, distinct from exhaustive analysis, empowers nurses to act decisively in dynamic settings, ensuring patient safety and care quality, a critical leadership skill in managing clinical uncertainties effectively.