Chapter 5: Evidence-Based Practice fundamentals (All Correctly Answered)

To provide patient care of the highest quality, nurses utilize an evidence-based practice approach because evidence-based practice is a. A guide for nurses in making clinical decisions. b. Based on the latest textbook information. c. Easily attained at the bedside. d. Always right for all situations. Correct ANS: A Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a guide for nurses to structure how to make accurate, timely, and appropriate clinical decisions. A textbook relies on the scientific literature, which is often outdated by the time the book is published and is not the most reliable source for EBP. Unfortunately, most of the best information in evidence never reaches the bedside. EBP is not to be blindly applied without using good judgment and critical thinking skills. It is not appropriate for all settings In caring for patients, it is important for the nurse to realize that evidence-based practice is a. The only valid source of knowledge that should be used. b. Secondary to traditional or standard care knowledge. c. Dependent on patient values and expectations. d. Not shown to provide better patient outcomes Correct 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, or the standard, "It has always been done this way." Although these sources have value, it is important to learn to rely more on research evidence than on non-research evidence. Patients who receive care based on the most recent and best evidence experience 28% better outcomes The first step in evidence-based practice is to ask a clinical question. In doing so, the nurse needs to realize that in researching interventions, the question a. Is more important than its format. b. Will lead you to hundreds of articles that must be read. c. May be easier if in PICO format. d. May be more useful the more general it is Correct ANS: C The PICO format allows the nurse to ask questions that are intervention focused. Inappropriately formed questions 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. The more focused the question asked, the easier it will become to search for evidence in the scientific literature In collecting the best evidence, the gold standard for research is a. The randomized controlled trial (RCT). b. The peer-reviewed article. c. Qualitative research. d. The opinion of expert committees Correct ANS: A