Chapter 5: Evidenced-Based Practice

The nurse uses a PICOT question to develop an evidence-based change in protocol for a certain nursing procedure. However, to make these changes throughout the entire institution would require more evidence than is available at this time. What is the nurse's best option? a. Conduct a pilot study to investigate findings. b. Drop the idea of making the change at this time. c. Insist that management hire the needed staff to facilitate the change. d. Seek employment in another institution that may have the staff needed.

ANS: A When evidence is not strong enough to apply in practice, the next option is to conduct a pilot study to investigate the PICOT question. Dropping the idea would be counterproductive; insisting that management hire staff could be seen as a mandate and could produce negative results. Seeking employment at another institution most likely would not be the answer because most institutions operate under similar established guidelines.

A nurse writes the following PICOT question: How do patients with breast cancer rate their quality of life? How should the nurse evaluate this question? a. A true PICOT question regardless of number of elements b. A true PICOT question because the intervention comes before the control c. Not a true PICOT question because the comparison comes after the intervention d. Not a true PICOT question because the time is not designated

ANS: A A meaningful PICOT question can contain only a P and O: How do patients with breast cancer (P) rate their quality of life (O)? Note that a well-designed PICOT question does not have to follow the sequence of P, I, C, O, and T. The aim is to ask a question that contains as many of the PICOT elements as possible.

A nurse uses evidence-based practice (EBP) to provide nursing care. What is the best rationale for the nurse's behavior? a. EBP is a guide for nurses in making clinical decisions. b. EBP is based on the latest textbook information. c. EBP is easily attained at the bedside. d. EBP is always right for all situations.

ANS: A Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a guide for nurses to structure how to make appropriate, timely, and effective clinical decisions. A textbook relies on the scientific literature, which may be outdated by the time the book is published. Unfortunately, much of the best evidence never reaches the bedside. EBP is not to be blindly applied without using good judgment and critical thinking skills.

A nurse has collected several research findings for evidence-based practice. Which article will be the best for the nurse to use? a. An article that uses randomized controlled trials (RCT) b. An article that is an opinion of expert committees c. An article that uses qualitative research d. An article that is peer-reviewed

ANS: A Individual RCTs are the highest level of evidence or "gold standard" for research. A peer-reviewed article means that a panel of experts has reviewed the article; this is not a research method. Qualitative research is valuable in identifying information about how patients cope with or manage various health problems and their perceptions of illness. It does not usually have the robustness of an RCT. Expert opinion is on the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid of evidence.

A nurse is trying to decrease the rate of falls on the unit. After reviewing the literature, a strategy is implemented on the unit. After 3 months, the nurse finds that the falls have decreased. Which process did the nurse institute? a. Performed improvement b. Peer-reviewed project c. Generalizability study d. Qualitative research

ANS: A Performance improvement focuses on performance issues like falls or pressure ulcer incidence. A peer-reviewed article is reviewed for accuracy, validity, and rigor and approved for publication by experts before it is published. Generalizability is not a study/research; it is if the results of a study can be compared to other patients with similar experiences. This is a quantitative study, not a qualitative study.

A nurse is reviewing literature for an evidence-based practice study. Which study should the nurse use for the mostreliable level of evidence that uses statistics to show effectiveness? a. Meta-analysis b. Systematic review c. Single random controlled trial d. Control trial without randomization

ANS: A The main difference is that in a meta-analysis the researcher uses statistics to show the effect of an intervention on an outcome. In a systematic review no statistics are used to draw conclusions about the evidence. A single random controlled trial (RCT) is not as conclusive as a review of several RCTs on the same question. Control trials without randomization may involve bias in how the study is conducted

A nurse is using the research process. Place in order the sequence that the nurse will follow. 1. Analyze results. 2. Conduct the study. 3. Identify clinical problem. 4. Develop research question. 5. Determine how study will be conducted. a. 3, 4, 5, 2, 1 b. 4, 3, 5, 2, 1 c. 3, 5, 4, 2, 1 d. 4, 5, 3, 2, 1

ANS: A The steps of the research process are as follows: (1) Identify area of interest or clinical problem, (2) develop research question(s)/hypotheses, (3) determine how study will be conducted, (4) conduct the study, and (5) analyze results of the study.

A nurse is implementing a evidence-based practice project regarding infection rates. After reviewing research literature, which other evidence should the nurse review? a. Quality improvement data b. Inductive reasoning data c. Informed consent data d. biased data

ANS: A When implementing an evidence-based practice project, it is important to first review evidence from appropriate research and quality improvement data. Inductive reasoning is used to develop generalizations or theories from specific observations; this study needs specifics. Informed consent is not data but a process and form that subjects must sign before participating in research projects/studies. Biased data is based on opinions; facts are needed for this study.

Before conducting any study with human subjects, the nurse researcher must obtain informed consent. What must the nurse researcher ensure to obtain informed consent? a. Gives complete information about the purpose b. Allows free choice to participate or withdraw c. Understands how confidentiality is maintained d. Identifies risks and benefits of participation e. Ensures that subjects complete the study

ANS: A, B, C, D Informed consent means that research subjects (1) are given full and complete information about the purpose of a study, procedures, data collection, potential harm and benefits, and alternative methods of treatment; (2) are capable of fully understanding the research and the implications of participation; (3) have the power of free choice to voluntarily consent or decline participation in the research; and (4) understand how the researcher maintains confidentiality or anonymity. Completion of the study is not needed for informed consent.

The nurse is preparing to conduct research that will allow precise measurement of a phenomenon. Which methods will provide the nurse with the right kind of data? a. Surveys b. Phenomenology c. Grounded theory d. Evaluation research e. Nonexperimental research

ANS: A, D, E Experimental research, nonexperimental research, surveys, and evaluation research are all forms of quantitative research that allow for precise measurement. Phenomenology and grounded theory are forms of qualitative research.

In conducting a research study, the nurse researcher guarantees the subject no information will be reported in any manner that will identify the subject and only the research team will have access to the information. Which concept is the nurse researcher fulfilling? a. Bias b. Confidentiality c. Informed consent d. The research process

ANS: B Confidentiality guarantees that any information the subject provides will not be reported in any manner that identifies the subject and will not be accessible to people outside the research team. Biases are opinions that may influence the results of research. Informed consent means that research subjects (1) are given full and complete information about the purpose of the study, procedures, data collection, potential harm and benefits, and alternative methods of treatment; (2) are capable of fully understanding the research; (3) have the power to voluntarily consent or decline participation; and (4) understand how confidentiality or anonymity is maintained. The research process is a broader concept that provides an orderly series of steps that allow the researcher to move from asking a question to finding the answer.

The nurse researcher is preparing to publish the findings and is preparing to add the limitations to the manuscript. Which area of the manuscript will the nurse researcher add this information? a. Abstract b. Conclusion c. Study design d. Clinical implications

ANS: B During results or conclusions, the researcher interprets the findings of the study, including limitations. An abstract summarizes the purpose of the article with major findings. Study design involves selection of research methods and type of study conducted. The researcher explains how to apply findings in a practice setting for the type of subjects studied in the clinical implications section.

A nurse is developing a care delivery outcomes research project. Which population will the nurse study? a. Nurses b. patients c. administrators d. Health care providers

ANS: B Similar to the expected outcomes you develop in a plan of care, a care delivery outcome focuses on the recipients of service (e.g., patient, family, or community) and not the providers (e.g., nurse or physician/health care provider). Administrators are not recipients of service.

The nurse is reviewing a research article on a patient care topic. Which area should entice the nurse to read the article? a. Literature review b. Introduction c. Methods d. Results

ANS: B The introduction contains information about its purpose and the importance of the topic to the audience who reads the article. The literature review or background offers a detailed background of the level of science or clinical information about the topic of the article. The methods or design section explains how a research study was organized and conducted. The results or conclusion section details the results of the study and explains whether a hypothesis is supported.

The nurse is reviewing nursing research literature related to a potential practice problem on the nursing unit. What is the rationale for the nurse's action? (Select all that apply.) a. Nursing research ensures the nurse's promotion. b. Nursing research identifies new knowledge. c. Nursing research improves professional practice. d. Nursing research enhances effective use of resources.

ANS: B, C, D Nursing research is a way to identify new knowledge, improve professional education and practice, and use resources effectively. Nursing research itself does not lead to a decrease in budget expenditures; however it does lead to using health care resources effectively. A promotion is not a direct result of nursing research.

A nurse develop the following PICOT question: Do patients who listen to music achieve better control of their anxiety and pain after surgery when compared with patients who receive standard nursing care following surgery? Which information will the nurse use as the "C"? a. After surgery b. Who listen to music c. Who receive standard care d. Achieve better control of their anxiety and pain

ANS: C Do patients (P) who listen to music (I) achieve better control of their anxiety and pain (O) after surgery (T) when compared with patients who receive standard nursing care following surgery (C)

A nurse develops the following PICOT question: Do patients who listen to music achieve better control of their anxiety and pain after surgery when compared with patients who receive standard nursing care following surgery? Which information will the nurse use as the "C"? a. After surgery b. Who listen to music c. Who receive standard nursing care d. Achieve better control of their anxiety and pain

ANS: C Do patients (P) who listen to music (I) achieve better control of their anxiety and pain (O) after surgery (T) when compared with patients who receive standard nursing care following surgery (C)?

In caring for patients, what must the nurse remember about evidence-based practice (EBP)? a. EBP is the only valid source of knowledge that should be used. b. EBP is secondary to traditional or convenient care knowledge. c. EBP is dependent on patient values and expectations. d. EBP is not shown to provide better patient outcomes.

ANS: C Even when the best evidence available is used, application and outcomes will differ based on patient values, preferences, concerns, and/or expectations. Nurses often care for patients on the basis of tradition or convenience. Although these sources have value, it is important to learn to rely more on research evidence than on nonresearch evidence. Evidence-based care improves quality, safety, patient outcomes, and nurse satisfaction while reducing costs.

The nurse is trying to identify common general themes relative to the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation from patients who have had heart attacks and have gone through cardiac rehabilitation programs. The nurse conducts interviews and focus groups. Which type of research is the nurse conducting? a. Nonexperimental research b. Experimental research c. Qualitative research d. Evaluation research

ANS: C Qualitative research involves using inductive reasoning to develop generalizations or theories from specific observations or interviews. Evaluation and experimental research are forms of quantitative research. Nonexperimental descriptive studies describe, explain, or predict phenomena such as factors that lead to an adolescent's decision to smoke cigarettes

A nurse wants to change a patient procedure. Which action will the nurse take to easily find research evidence to support this change? a. Read all the articles found on the Internet. b. Make a general search of the Internet. c. Use a PICOT format for the search. d. Start with a broad question.

ANS: C The more focused the question is, the easier it becomes to search for evidence in the scientific literature. The PICO format allows the nurse to ask focused questions that are intervention based. Inappropriately formed questions (general search or broad question) will likely lead to irrelevant sources of information. It is not beneficial to read hundreds of articles. It is more beneficial to read the best four to six articles that specifically address the question.

A nurse identifies a clinical problem with pressure ulcers. Which step should the nurse take next in the research process? a. Analyze results. b. Conduct the study. c. Determine method. d. Develop a hypothesis.

ANS: D After identifying an area of interest or clinical problem, the steps of the research process are as follows: Develop research question(s)/hypotheses; determine how the study will be conducted; conduct the study; and analyze results of the study.

A nurse is reviewing research studies for evidence-based practice. Which article should the nurse use for qualitative nursing research? a. An article about the number of falls after use of no side rails b. An article about infection rates after use of a new wound dressing c. An article about the percentage of new admissions on a new floor d. An article about emotional needs of dying patients and their families

ANS: D Studying emotional needs is a qualitative study. Qualitative nursing research is the study of phenomena that are difficult to quantify or categorize, such as patients' perceptions of illness. The number of falls, infection rates, and percentages of new admissions are all examples of quantitative research.

The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic low back pain. The nurse wants to determine the best evidence-based practice regarding clinical guidelines for low back pain. What is the best database for the nurse to access? a. MEDLINE b. EMBASE c. PsycINFO d. AHRQ

ANS: D The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) includes clinical guidelines and evidence summaries. MEDLINE includes studies in medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychiatry, veterinary medicine, and allied health. EMBASE includes biomedical and pharmaceutical studies. PsycINFO deals with psychology and related health care disciplines.

After reviewing the literature, the evidence-based practice committee institutes a practice change that bedrails should be left in the down position and hourly nursing rounds should be conducted. The results indicate over a 40% reduction in falls. What is the committee's next step? a. Evaluate the changes in 1 month. b. Implement the changes as a pilot study. c. Wait a month before implementing the changes. d. Communicate to staff the results of this project.

ANS: D The last step of evidence-based practice (EBP) is to share the outcomes of EBP changes with others. Changes must be evaluated before the outcomes are shared. Once communicated, changes should be put in place as the committee deems reasonable (i.e., either hospital wide or as a pilot study). Waiting should not be an option unless the results are not to the committee's liking.

A nurse is preparing to start peripheral intravenous (IV) therapy. In which order will the nurse perform the steps starting with the first one? 1. Clean site. 2. Select vein. 3. Apply tourniquet. 4. Release tourniquet. 5. Reapply tourniquet. 6. Advance and secure. 7. Iterm-19nsert vascular access device. a. 1, 3, 2, 7, 5, 4, 6 b. 1, 3, 2, 5, 7, 6, 4 c. 3, 2, 1, 5, 7, 6, 4 d. 3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 7, 6

ANS: D The steps for inserting an intravenous catheter are as follows: Apply tourniquet; select vein; release tourniquet; clean site; reapply tourniquet; insert vascular access device; and advance and secure.