Develop an introduction section that includes the professional nurses’ role in identifying practice problems.
Select an article from the list provided to use as the basis for this assignment.
NOTE: this article and the identified practice problem will be the focus for a theoretical intervention, implementation, and evaluation process using the KTA Framework for Units 5, 6, & 7. In those units, you will apply the practice problem to your clinical setting.
Using the article you selected, identify and state the practice problem.
Provide a discussion that supports the existence and significance of the practice problem you identify within the article.
Locate three (3) additional journal articles that provide additional support for the same/similar practice problem.
Develop a summary of each article that adds support for the existence and significance of the practice problem in healthcare.
Sample Answer
Introduction: The Nurse's Role in Identifying Practice Problems
Professional nurses are on the front lines of healthcare, providing direct patient care and possessing a unique perspective on the day-to-day operations and challenges within clinical settings. This intimate understanding places nurses in a pivotal role for identifying practice problems—issues that create a gap between current practice and the best available evidence. Identifying these problems is the foundational first step of evidence-based practice (EBP). It requires nurses to be observant, critically reflective, and to use their clinical expertise to question the status quo. By recognizing inconsistencies, inefficiencies, or patient safety concerns, nurses initiate the process of inquiry and research that can lead to improved patient outcomes, enhanced healthcare quality, and the evolution of the nursing profession itself.
The Practice Problem
Practice Problem: The lack of standardized, evidence-based practices for pain assessment and management in older adults with cognitive impairment.
This practice problem is a significant issue in healthcare, as nurses often rely on subjective patient reports to assess pain. However, in older adults with conditions like dementia, who may have difficulty communicating their pain, this reliance can lead to under-recognition and undertreatment. The article selected for this assignment, “Pain Assessment and Management in Older Adults with Dementia” by [Author, Year], highlights this exact challenge. The article discusses how the use of traditional pain scales is often unreliable in this population, leading to both inadequate pain relief and a negative impact on the patient's quality of life. The existence and significance of this problem are underscored by the physiological and psychological distress that untreated pain causes, including agitation, aggression, and an increased risk of falls and other complications.
Supporting Articles and Summaries
Here are three additional articles that provide further support for the existence and significance of this practice problem:
1. Article 1: “Underrecognized and Undertreated: The Need for Improved Pain Management in Older Adults with Dementia” by Herr, K. A., Bjoro, K., & Braden, E. L. (2020).
Summary: This article reinforces the practice problem by detailing how pain in this population is frequently missed by healthcare providers. It provides a comprehensive review of the consequences of this undertreatment, which go beyond physical discomfort to include behavioral disturbances and a decline in functional status. The authors argue for the development and implementation of structured, observational pain assessment tools that do not rely on verbal communication, emphasizing the ethical imperative to address pain in this vulnerable patient group.