Abstract As a requirement for a third year nursing subject based on Australian Indigenous Health and Community Nursing, an assessment was undertaken based on the clinical reasoning cycle. The clinical reasoning cycle refers to clinical judgements and clinical decision-making which can be conceptualised as a logical process of cue collection, processing information, understanding the situation, planning and implementing interventions, evaluating outcomes and reflecting on the process (Levett-Jones et al., 2009). The clinical reasoning cycle for this assessment relates to interactions with Murray (pseudonym), an Australian Indigenous male being treated for alcohol dependence within a community setting. This paper will explore the nursing care of Murray through the clinical reasoning cycle, focusing on community-based, culturally appropriate nursing care.