Evidence-Based Practice Paper
In this evaluative paper, you will examine the nurse’s role in promoting health and wellness for patients across the lifespan and the use of evidence-based practice in planning care. In the first part of this paper, you will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in relationship to health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management. In the second part, you will discuss the disease and use evidence from scientific literature to support your conclusions for care of the patient. You will select one disease that affect two different age groups for your topic. You will use at least three evidence-based resources to support your work, at least one must be a peer-reviewed journal article.
Part 1:
Discuss the responsibilities of the nurse related to health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management. The incorporation of evidence-based practice is a professional responsibility; explain the benefits and strategies for its use. Give examples and details.
- How does the nurse use the nursing process to plan care to promote health, risk reduction, and disease management?
- Explain the benefits of using evidence-based practice in planning nursing care.
- Discuss strategies for including evidence-based practice in planning nursing care.
Part 2:
Choose one disease from any of the units in this course (or two diseases that impact two age groups) and compare the evidence-based pathophysiology, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment as applied to patients of different age groups. You must use evidence from appropriate resources to support your conclusions on care for patients of different age groups.
- Explain the pathophysiology and etiology of the disease(s), including impact of age.
- Examine the impact of age on risk factors.
- Differentiate between the diagnostic processes for the two age groups.
- Compare the treatment of the disease(s), based on age, using scientific and evidence-based information.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this evidence-based practice paper, we will explore the nurse’s role in promoting health and wellness for patients across their lifespan. Additionally, we will analyze the use of evidence-based practice in planning patient care. The paper is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on discussing the responsibilities of nurses in health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management, along with the incorporation of evidence-based practice. Part 2 involves selecting a disease that impacts two different age groups and comparing the evidence-based pathophysiology, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment for each age group. Let us delve into the questions and provide comprehensive answers.
Part 1:
1. How does the nurse use the nursing process to plan care to promote health, risk reduction, and disease management?
The nursing process serves as a systematic framework for delivering patient-centered care. To promote health, risk reduction, and disease management, nurses utilize the nursing process by following five key steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. During the assessment phase, nurses gather data about the patient’s health status, lifestyle, and risk factors. Based on this assessment, they diagnose the patient’s health problems and develop a care plan that promotes health, reduces risks, and manages diseases. The planning phase involves setting specific goals, creating strategies, and prioritizing interventions to meet the individual needs of the patient. Nurses then implement the planned interventions, including health promotion activities, risk reduction measures, and disease management protocols. Finally, nurses evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and modify the care plan as needed.
2. Explain the benefits of using evidence-based practice in planning nursing care.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing care provides a foundation for delivering high-quality, safe, and effective patient care. By incorporating evidence from scientific research, nurses can offer care that is based on the most current and reliable information available. The benefits of using EBP in planning nursing care include improved patient outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and cost-effective resource utilization. EBP enables nurses to integrate their clinical expertise with the best available evidence, considering patient preferences and values. It also promotes critical thinking and lifelong learning among nurses, fostering professional growth and development.
3. Discuss strategies for including evidence-based practice in planning nursing care.
To include evidence-based practice in planning nursing care, nurses can utilize several strategies. Firstly, nurses should stay updated with the latest research findings and evidence-based guidelines relevant to their clinical practice. Regularly reviewing reputable journals, attending conferences, and participating in research discussions can help nurses stay informed about emerging evidence. Secondly, nurses should critically appraise the gathered evidence by evaluating its validity, reliability, and applicability to their patients’ situations. They can utilize tools such as the AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation) tool to assess the quality of guidelines and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach to assess the quality of research evidence. Finally, nurses should collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, incorporating their expertise and sharing evidence-based recommendations to develop comprehensive care plans.
Part 2:
1. Explain the pathophysiology and etiology of the disease(s), including the impact of age.
The pathophysiology of a disease refers to the physiological processes underlying the development and progression of the disease. The etiology, on the other hand, is the cause or origin of the disease. When selecting a disease that impacts two different age groups, it is essential to analyze how the disease manifests and progresses differently in each age group.
To provide a specific answer, the disease(s) to be discussed in this paper must be identified or assigned.
2. Examine the impact of age on risk factors.
The impact of age on risk factors varies depending on the disease being studied. However, in general, older age may be associated with an increased risk of certain conditions due to natural age-related changes in the body. For example, elderly individuals may have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to the gradual accumulation of arterial plaque and decreased cardiac function. Conversely, younger age groups may be more prone to certain infectious diseases due to a less developed immune system or higher exposure to risk factors in specific environments.
3. Differentiate between the diagnostic processes for the two age groups.
The diagnostic processes for different age groups may differ due to variations in symptoms, physiological responses, and age-related factors. Specific diagnostic tests and procedures may be more appropriate or informative for certain age groups. For instance, imaging techniques like ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might be preferred in younger age groups due to minimal radiation exposure risks compared to X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans. Additionally, diagnostic criteria and reference ranges for laboratory tests may differ between age groups, considering normal physiological changes that occur with aging.
4. Compare the treatment of the disease(s) based on age, using scientific and evidence-based information.
The treatment of a disease may vary based on age due to physiological differences, potential comorbidities, and medication tolerability. It is essential to consult scientific and evidence-based sources to identify appropriate treatment approaches. The comparison of treatments can include analyzing specific medications, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and supportive care tailored to each age group. The evidence should include studies that examine treatment outcomes, efficacy, safety, and quality of life improvements for each age group.
Overall, the evidence-based practice paper will allow us to explore the nurse’s role in promoting health, reducing risks, and managing diseases. Additionally, we will gain insights into the importance of evidence-based practice in planning nursing care. By analyzing the pathophysiology, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment of a disease in different age groups, we can identify age-specific considerations for optimal patient care.
