A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking warfarin and has an international normalized ratio (INR) time of 5. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate the provider to prescribe?

A. "My mouth is very dry."
Dry mouth is a common side effect of lorazepam, but it does not directly indicate the effectiveness of the medication in reducing preoperative anxiety.

B. "My leg feels numb."
Numbness in the leg is not a typical effect of lorazepam and does not indicate the effectiveness of the medication in reducing preoperative anxiety.

C. "I feel very sleepy."
Feeling sleepy or drowsy is a common side effect of lorazepam, and it indicates that the medication has effectively reduced the client's preoperative anxiety.

D. "I am not hungry any longer."
Decreased appetite can be a side effect of lorazepam, but it is not a direct indicator of the medication's effectiveness in reducing preoperative anxiety.

A. Is the research applicable to other populations? This is a crucial question in the critical appraisal of evidence. The applicability or generalizability of research findings to other populations is an important aspect of any study. If the study’s sample is representative and diverse, the findings are more likely to be applicable to other populations.

B. What methods were used to conduct the research? Understanding the methods used in a study is fundamental to evaluating its validity. The research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques all contribute to the strength of the study’s findings.

C. How were the study results analyzed? The analysis of study results is a key component of research. The statistical methods used can greatly impact the interpretation of the results. Understanding how the results were analyzed can help determine if the conclusions drawn are valid.

D. Does the study have reliability? Reliability refers to the consistency or repeatability of the study’s findings. If a study is reliable, it means that if the study were repeated under the same conditions, it would produce the same results. This is a key factor in determining the quality of a study.

E. What were the costs associated with the research? While understanding the costs associated with research can be important in some contexts, it is not typically a key factor in the critical appraisal of the evidence itself. The focus of critical appraisal is more on the quality, validity, and applicability of the research rather than the costs involved in conducting it.

F. What was the purpose of the study? Understanding the purpose or objective of the study is a fundamental part of critical appraisal. It helps to determine whether the study design, methods, and analysis are appropriate for answering the research question.