Stroke is a medical emergency in which every minute counts and requires rapid diagnosis and intervention. The longer the blood flow is obstructed to the brain the greater the damage and if caught on time, stroke can be treated and at times reversed. The National Health Service UK (NHS) (2014) classified stroke as one of the leading cause of long-term disability and the third cause of death in UK. Stroke has no boundaries as to age, race and sex. It has traditionally been seen as a condition affecting elderly people, but according to a recent finding compiled by the UK Stroke Association (2015) people of age group 20 to 64 inflicted by stroke have soared by 25 %. That age group make up nearly one-third of the total number of stroke.
In clinical practice, many medical decisions are complex and require systematic approach to facilitate decision making and enabling the clear formulation of care plan. Barrett ,D. et al( 2012) mention clinical reasoning cycle as a formal decision-making tool which facilitate sequential problem solving and allows health care professional to better assess, develop and implement the best care to the patient. It is a forward changing process that moves consecutively through a series of logical consideration to end at a final decision. It lays emphasis on evidence- base practice and reflective skill to enhance nursing process. Nurses with an effective clinical reasoning have an impact on patient outcomes. It involves collecting cues, processing the information, be aware of a patient situation, plan and implement interventions, evaluate outcomes, and reflect from the process (Levett - Jones et al 2010). Effective clinical reasoning depends on the nurse`s ability to assemble the right cues and follow up by right action for the right patient at the right time and for the right reason. Accumulation of knowledge and experiences correlate positively with clinical reasoning skills (Lloyd 2010).