The nurse is assisting with patient data collection in a clinic. The nurse is assigned to a young female patient who has an older male friend present at her bedside. The patient is nervous, timid, very thin, and with poor hygiene and lets the friend answer all of the nurse's questions. What actions should the nurse take?

Explanation:

A. Material safety data sheets:

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are documents that provide information about the properties of chemicals and substances, including hazards, handling, storage, and emergency procedures. While MSDS are crucial for ensuring safe handling of materials, they primarily focus on chemical safety and may not provide detailed guidance on specimen collection protocols. Therefore, while MSDS are essential references for safety, they are not the primary source for revising specimen collection protocols.

B. Evidence-based practice:

Evidence-based practice (EBP) involves integrating the best available evidence from research studies, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences to make informed decisions about patient care. For revising protocols, nurses should rely heavily on evidence-based guidelines and research literature related to specimen collection techniques, safety measures, accuracy, and quality assurance. EBP ensures that protocols are based on the latest scientific evidence, leading to improved patient outcomes and quality of care.

C. Client medical records:

Client medical records contain detailed information about individual patients, including their medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and laboratory results. While medical records are valuable for understanding specific patient needs and conditions, they are not typically used as primary sources for developing or revising unit-wide protocols. However, reviewing medical records may provide insights into specific challenges or issues related to specimen collection for certain patients.

D. Facility policy and procedures:

Facility policy and procedures manuals outline the organization's guidelines, protocols, and standards of practice for various aspects of patient care, including specimen collection. Nurses should refer to facility policies and procedures to understand existing protocols, safety measures, documentation requirements, and quality control processes related to specimen collection. While facility policies are important references, they may need to be updated based on current evidence and best practices, which is where evidence-based practice comes into play.

Explanation:

A. What were the costs associated with the research?

While the costs associated with research can be important in certain contexts, such as resource allocation or budget considerations, it is not typically a primary consideration in the critical appraisal of research evidence for evidence-based practice.

B. Does the study have reliability?

Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of research findings. It is important to assess whether the study's methods and measurements are reliable to ensure that the results are trustworthy and reproducible.

C. Is the research applicable to other populations?

Applicability or generalizability of research findings refers to whether the results can be applied to populations or settings beyond those directly studied in the research. Evaluating applicability helps determine the relevance of the study findings to different patient populations or clinical scenarios.

D. What methods were used to conduct the research?

Understanding the research methods is crucial for evaluating the quality and rigor of the study. This includes assessing the study design, sampling methods, data collection procedures, interventions or exposures studied, and statistical analyses used.

E. How were the study results analyzed?

Examining how the study results were analyzed helps determine the validity and reliability of the findings. It is important to assess whether appropriate statistical methods were used, whether potential biases were addressed, and whether the results are robust and meaningful.

F. What was the purpose of the study?

Understanding the purpose or research question of the study is fundamental for evaluating its relevance and significance to clinical practice. The research question should be clearly stated and align with the study's objectives, methods, and conclusions.