A nurse is discussing the process of evidence-based practice (EBP) with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements made by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the process?
A.
“Identifying the problem is the first step of the EBP process.”
B.
“Reviewing the effectiveness of the findings is the last step of the EBP process.”
C.
“Reliance on personal experiences is important to the process of EBP.”
D.
“There are four steps in the process of EBP.”
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. “Reviewing the effectiveness of the findings is the last step of the EBP process.”
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a systematic approach to clinical practice that integrates the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to improve healthcare outcomes. EBP is a multi-step process that ensures healthcare decisions are made based on solid evidence rather than solely on personal experience or tradition.
Explanation:
- Identifying the problem (A) is indeed an essential part of the EBP process but is not the first step. The first step is usually formulating a clear, answerable clinical question. This often follows the PICO(T) format, which stands for Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and sometimes Time. Identifying the problem aligns more with defining the focus of the clinical question.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of the findings (B) is the correct response because it addresses the final phase of the EBP process. After implementing the evidence into practice, healthcare professionals must evaluate whether the intervention is achieving the desired outcomes. This includes analyzing patient results, reviewing changes in clinical practice, and making adjustments as necessary. This evaluation ensures that the best patient care is being provided and also helps in further improving clinical guidelines.
- Reliance on personal experiences (C) is not a core aspect of EBP. While clinical expertise is valuable in guiding patient care, EBP emphasizes the importance of research evidence and patient preferences. Personal experiences can introduce bias and are not always generalizable, which is why EBP focuses on using well-researched evidence.
- There are six key steps in the EBP process, not four (D). These steps are:
- Formulating a clinical question.
- Searching for the best available evidence.
- Critically appraising the evidence.
- Integrating the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences.
- Implementing the evidence into practice.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention.
In summary, reviewing the effectiveness of the findings is a critical, final step that ensures the EBP process improves patient care.