Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Outcome evaluation
NCLEX: The quality-improvement nurse reviewing fall-rate data is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and outcome…
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 outcome evaluation. The nurse reviews this trend: medication scan overrides increased after a barcode workflow change. Which interpretation and action are most appropriate?
Question
A. Ignore the trend because one data point can be explained later.
B. Treat a single value without comparing it with baseline, symptoms, or benchmarks.
C. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
D. Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.
B. Treat a single value without comparing it with baseline, symptoms, or benchmarks.
C. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
D. Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
Rationale: Trend questions require comparison with baseline, symptoms, risk, and benchmarks. Safe nursing action begins before a preventable event becomes critical.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Trend questions require comparison with baseline, symptoms, risk, and benchmarks. Safe nursing action begins before a preventable event becomes critical.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.