What type of reasoning does a nurse use when assuming a clinic specializes in substance use based on recent client data?

Inductive reasoning is a cognitive process where a person makes generalizations based on specific observations or experiences. In the context of the nurse assuming that a clinic specializes in substance use based on recent client data, this approach is grounded in the analysis of individual cases or patterns observed within the data. The nurse takes the specific information gathered from clients—such as the types of substance use disorders presented—and infers a broader conclusion about the clinic's specialization.

This type of reasoning is particularly valuable in clinical settings, as it allows practitioners to draw conclusions that can inform their understanding of patient populations and help tailor their care strategies appropriately. By recognizing trends or patterns from specific cases, the nurse can deduce that the clinic likely focuses on substance use, which aids in providing effective care and interventions for future patients presenting similar needs.

In contrast, other options like the nursing process represent a systematic method of patient care rather than a reasoning approach, while deductive reasoning involves starting with a general principle and applying it to a specific case, which does not apply to the scenario described. General systems theory is broader and relates more to understanding how systems interact rather than being a specific reasoning method applied in clinical decision-making.