Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Translating evidence into practice
NCLEX: The RN evaluating a clinical practice guideline is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and translating ev…
Statistics or evidence-based practice Management of Care
Case Study
The RN evaluating a clinical practice guideline is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and translating evidence into practice. The nurse reviews this trend: fall rate rose from 2.1 to 4.8 per 1,000 patient days over 2 months. 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. Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.
D. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
B. Treat a single value without comparing it with baseline, symptoms, or benchmarks.
C. Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.
D. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
Rationale
Correct answer: D. 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.