The nurse manager meets with the registered nursing staff about an increase in urinary tract infections in patients with a Foley catheter. The staff work together to review the literature on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), identifies at-risk patients, and establishes new catheter care practices. This is an example of which QSEN competency?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to guide healthcare decisions.

Rationale for correct answer:

B. Improve patient outcomes: The central goal of EBP is to apply the most current, relevant, and high-quality evidence to clinical practice in order to deliver interventions that have been proven effective, thereby enhancing patient health, safety, and satisfaction.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

A. Validate traditional nursing practices: While EBP may confirm the effectiveness of some traditional practices, validation is not its main purpose. Instead, it evaluates all practices-traditional or new-against current scientific evidence.

C. Dispute traditional nursing practices: EBP does not aim to discredit tradition for its own sake. However, if evidence shows that a traditional practice is ineffective or harmful, EBP encourages modifying or replacing it. The focus is on patient benefit, not on opposing tradition.

D. Establish a body of knowledge unique to nursing: Building a nursing knowledge base is part of nursing research, which contributes to EBP. However, EBP itself focuses on applying knowledge (from nursing and other disciplines) to improve care, not solely on creating nursing-specific knowledge.

Take-home points:

• EBP aims to integrate best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to provide safe and effective care.
• Improving patient outcomes is the core purpose of EBP, not simply validating or disputing tradition.

The Nursing Code of Ethics for Professional Registered Nurses is a foundational document that outlines the ethical obligations and duties of every nurse. It serves as a guide for clinical practice and professional behavior, especially in complex situations

Rationale for correct answer:

D. Defines the principles of right and wrong to provide patient care: The Nursing Code of Ethics defines the principles of right and wrong to guide nurses in ethical decision-making and behavior. It provides a moral compass for navigating complex patient care situations.

Rationales for incorrect answers:

A. Improves self-health care: While nurses are encouraged to care for their own health, the primary purpose of the Code of Ethics is to guide professional practice in relation to patient care, not personal wellness.

B. Protects the patient’s confidentiality: Protecting confidentiality is one of the ethical responsibilities outlined in the Code, but it is not the main purpose. The Code encompasses much broader ethical principles.

C. Ensures identical care to all patients: The goal of ethical nursing care is equitable care based on individual patient needs, not identical care. The Code promotes fairness and justice, which may involve tailoring care based on each patient’s unique circumstances.

Take-home points:

• The Nursing Code of Ethics provides a moral foundation for nurses, helping them make sound decisions in ethically challenging situations, such as end-of-life care.
• Understanding the code supports the delivery of compassionate, respectful, and individualized care that upholds human dignity and professional integrity.