NCLEX: The quality-improvement nurse reviewing fall-rate data is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and bias an…

Statistics or evidence-based practice Management of Care

Case Study

The quality-improvement nurse reviewing fall-rate data is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and bias and confounding. Assessment data include pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?

Question

A. A stable, long-standing finding that matches the expected care plan.
B. A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.
C. Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.
D. The new finding that pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased.

Rationale

Correct answer: D. The new finding that pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased.

Rationale: Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Advanced

Difficulty: Hard

Subtopic: Bias and confounding