Start with this short video, then scroll down for the full guide.
Why This Matters for Nursing: Patients don't always tell you everything directly. A patient who says "I'm fine" while grimacing in pain is communicating something different. Making inferences—reading between the lines—is a critical clinical skill.
An inference is a logical conclusion based on evidence + prior knowledge. It's NOT directly stated in the text—you figure it out.
Text Evidence + Background Knowledge = Inference
Think of it as being a detective: You gather clues (evidence) and use what you already know to solve the mystery (reach a conclusion).
"What does the text SUGGEST but not SAY?"
If you can point to a sentence that directly states it, it's NOT an inference—it's a detail.
Inference = Reading BETWEEN the lines Detail = Reading the lines themselves
| Type | Example Text | Inference |
|---|---|---|
| Character/Motivation | "She checked her watch for the third time." | She's impatient or waiting for something |
| Cause/Effect | "The roads were icy. Three ambulances passed." | Ice likely caused accidents |
| Prediction | "Storm clouds gathered as the hikers began their ascent." | The hikers may encounter bad weather |
| Conclusion | "Sales dropped 40% after the recall was announced." | The recall hurt the company |
What we're looking for: What does the text SUGGEST but not directly SAY?
Text: "Maria pushed her food around her plate but didn't take a single bite. She kept glancing at the clock on the wall."
Step 1 — Read the sentences and notice the specific details. Two behaviors: (1) playing with food but not eating, (2) repeatedly checking the clock. Both are described deliberately — the author chose these details for a reason.
Step 2 — Ask: What do these behaviors normally mean in real life? When someone pushes food around without eating, they're usually not hungry OR distracted/anxious. When someone keeps checking the clock, they're usually waiting for something or worried about time.
Step 3 — Combine the clues into a logical inference. Both behaviors together — not eating AND clock-watching — suggest Maria's mind is elsewhere. She's either anxious, distracted, or waiting for something.
Step 4 — Check: Is this supported by the text or am I making it up? Yes — the specific behaviors the author chose (food-pushing, clock-glancing) are textbook signs of distraction or anxiety. Supported. ✓
What we CAN infer: - Maria isn't hungry OR is too anxious/distracted to eat - She's waiting for something or worried about time - Something is bothering her
Step 5 — Rule out over-reaching inferences. What we CANNOT infer (not enough evidence): - She's sick — possible, but nothing in the text points there - The food tastes bad — she hasn't even tried it; we can't blame the food - She's meeting someone specific — nothing says who or what she's waiting for
The worked examples and practice problems are the part that actually prepares you for the TEAS.
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