What is the dependent variable in this statement of the purpose of a research study? "To examine barriers and aids to maintaining the nutritional health of community-dwelling elderly residents based on their perspectives.".

Choice A rationale:

Interviewing clients to determine if they remembered concepts taught preoperatively does not represent the first step in identifying previous research studies. It focuses on assessing the retention of teaching rather than reviewing existing literature.

Choice B rationale:

Reading full-text articles in nursing journals about designing client teaching sessions is valuable but not the first step in identifying previous research studies. It focuses on teaching session design rather than the literature review process.

Choice C rationale:

Asking orthopedic surgeons about topics to cover preoperatively with clients is a form of expert consultation but does not represent the first step in identifying previous research studies. It involves seeking expert input rather than reviewing existing literature.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct answer. Reviewing research abstracts on preoperative teaching with a similar client population is typically the first step in conducting a literature review. It allows the nurse to identify relevant research studies that have investigated the effectiveness of preoperative teaching in a similar context.

Choice A rationale:

Due to the clinical significance of this study's findings, both hospitals should replicate the study with clients in the progressive care unit. Rationale: Replicating the study in a different unit may not be necessary if the clinical significance of the findings is considered negligible. It would be more appropriate to focus on other areas of improvement rather than replicating the study.

Choice B rationale:

Although statistically significant results were found, the clinical significance was negligible, so this study should not prompt a change in current practice. Rationale: This choice provides the correct interpretation of the research findings. Statistically significant results do not always translate into clinically meaningful outcomes. In this case, while there was a statistical increase in nosocomial infection rates, the minimal impact on client complications suggests that there may not be a need for immediate changes in practice.

Choice C rationale:

Statistically significant findings place clients at Hospital A at higher risk for complications, so the intensive care unit needs to be closed and decontaminated. Rationale: Closing and decontaminating the intensive care unit is a drastic response that may not be warranted based on the study findings, which indicate minimal clinical impact.

Choice D rationale:

Nosocomial infection rates resulted in longer hospitals stays for clients at Hospital A, so re-training on infection control practices