A nurse is gathering evidence-based practice on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Which of the following roles is the nurse performing?
A.
Researcher.
B.
Nurse manager.
C.
Educator.
D.
Case manager.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Researcher.
Explanation:
In the context of gathering evidence-based practice on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), the nurse is primarily acting as a researcher. This role involves seeking out the best available evidence to guide clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
The Role of a Researcher in Nursing:
As a researcher, the nurse seeks to answer specific clinical questions, such as how to prevent CAUTIs. This involves searching for, reviewing, and applying evidence from scientific studies, clinical trials, and established guidelines. The nurse may explore databases like PubMed, CINAHL, or the Cochrane Library to find peer-reviewed articles or clinical practice guidelines that offer insights into preventing CAUTIs, such as using proper aseptic techniques, minimizing catheter use, and promoting early catheter removal.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP):
EBP is a cornerstone of modern nursing. It integrates the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to improve healthcare quality. In the case of CAUTIs, research would likely focus on identifying risk factors, proper catheter care techniques, and strategies to minimize catheter use in hospitalized patients. By acting as a researcher, the nurse ensures that care practices align with the latest findings, reducing infection rates and promoting patient safety.
CAUTI Prevention:
CAUTI is a common healthcare-associated infection (HAI) linked to prolonged catheter use. The research process might involve gathering data on how frequent catheter changes, proper hand hygiene, and sterile techniques during insertion can reduce infection rates. By analyzing this data, nurses can recommend interventions that help in the practical reduction of CAUTIs.
Other Roles:
While a nurse manager, educator, or case manager may play critical roles in improving patient outcomes, these functions are more associated with overseeing care delivery, educating staff, and coordinating patient services, respectively. In this scenario, the task of gathering and interpreting evidence falls under the researcher role.
Therefore, the nurse gathering evidence-based data to prevent CAUTIs is fulfilling the researcher role.