A charge nurse is discussing qualitative and quantitative research with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements should the charge nurse make?

Explanation:

A. Administer the Hamilton depression scale:

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale is a tool used to assess the severity of depression symptoms in individuals. While assessing the client's depression level is an important aspect of mental health assessment, it is not the immediate priority in this scenario. The client has been admitted following a suicide attempt, indicating an acute risk to their safety. Therefore, the priority at this stage is to ensure the client's safety and prevent any further harm or attempts at self-harm.

B. Make a contract with the client for weight gain:

Making a contract with the client for weight gain, especially in the context of anorexia nervosa, may be an important aspect of the client's overall treatment plan. However, in this scenario, the client's immediate safety takes precedence. The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa, and the primary concern at admission is to prevent any further self-harm or suicide attempts.

C. Review the client's toxicology laboratory report:

Reviewing the client's toxicology laboratory report is important for understanding any recent substance abuse and its potential impact on the client's physical and mental health. However, while this information is relevant to the client's overall care, it is not the first action to take upon admission. The immediate priority is to ensure the client's safety and provide appropriate monitoring and intervention to prevent further harm.

D. Initiate one-to-one nursing observation:

This is the correct answer. Initiating one-to-one nursing observation means assigning a dedicated nurse to continuously monitor and supervise the client closely. This level of observation is crucial in a situation where there is a history of suicide attempt and ongoing risk of self-harm. One-to-one observation allows for immediate intervention if the client shows signs of distress or attempts to harm themselves, ensuring their safety while they are in the acute mental health unit.

Explanation:

A. Evaluating the collected data:

This step in EBP involves assessing and analyzing the data that has been gathered through research or other sources. It includes examining the quality, relevance, and reliability of the data to determine its applicability to the clinical question or problem being addressed. Evaluation of data is crucial in EBP to ensure that decisions and interventions are based on sound evidence.

B. Implementing recommendations:

Implementing recommendations is a later step in EBP that comes after evaluating the evidence. Once credible sources have been identified, and the data has been analyzed, recommendations or interventions based on the best available evidence are put into practice. This step involves applying evidence-based guidelines, protocols, or interventions to patient care to improve outcomes and quality of care.

C. Identifying a problem:

This is the initial step in the EBP process where a specific clinical problem or question is identified. It involves recognizing gaps in knowledge, areas of uncertainty, or issues that require improvement in clinical practice. Identifying a problem is essential as it sets the stage for formulating focused research questions and seeking relevant evidence to address the problem effectively.

D. Searching for credible sources:

Searching for credible sources is a critical step in EBP where healthcare professionals gather evidence from reputable and reliable sources. This includes conducting literature searches, accessing databases, and reviewing published studies, clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and other scholarly sources. The goal is to find the best available evidence to answer clinical questions, guide decision-making, and inform evidence-based practice.