Evidence-Based Practice Assignment: Developing a PICOT Question and Literature Synthesis
Assessment Context
Course Placement and Assessment Metadata
- Institutional Model: Walden University School of Nursing
- Course: Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing Professionals
- Assessment Type: Written Assignment
- Assessment Number: Week 4 Assignment
- Weighting: 30%
- Length: 1,050–1,400 words (4–5 pages, excluding title page and references)
- Referencing Style: APA 7th edition
- Submission Format: Microsoft Word document
Assessment Description
This assessment evaluates your ability to formulate a clinically relevant PICOT question and synthesize current research evidence to support nursing practice improvement. Emphasis is placed on scholarly inquiry, critical appraisal of evidence, and alignment with professional nursing standards. The task directly supports Walden’s evidence-based practice competencies and doctoral-level scholarly expectations.
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Assessment Task
Using a nursing practice issue relevant to your clinical or professional setting, complete the following components.
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- Identification of Practice Problem
- Clearly describe a current nursing practice issue supported by evidence.
- Explain the clinical significance and impact on patient outcomes.
- PICOT Question Development
- Formulate a clear and focused PICOT question.
- Identify each PICOT element explicitly.
- Literature Search Strategy
- Describe databases used and key search terms.
- Explain inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- Evidence Synthesis
- Summarize findings from at least three peer-reviewed research studies.
- Compare outcomes, methodologies, and relevance to the PICOT question.
- Implications for Nursing Practice
- Discuss how the evidence supports potential practice change.
- Address implications for quality, safety, and patient-centered care.
Assignment Requirements
- Use a minimum of three peer-reviewed nursing or healthcare research articles.
- Sources must be published within the last 5–7 years.
- Demonstrate scholarly tone, logical structure, and critical analysis.
- Follow Walden University APA and academic integrity guidelines.
Scoring Rubric
| Criterion | Exceeds Expectations | Meets Expectations | Approaches Expectations | Does Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Problem Identification | Clear, relevant, and strongly supported | Clear and relevant | Partially developed | Unclear or unsupported |
| PICOT Question | Well-structured and precise | Appropriate and complete | Minor omissions | Incorrect or missing elements |
| Evidence Synthesis | Thorough, comparative, and analytical | Adequate synthesis | Descriptive with limited analysis | Inaccurate or insufficient |
| Practice Implications | Strong linkage to outcomes and quality | Relevant implications discussed | General implications | No clear implications |
| Academic Writing and APA | Error-free and scholarly | Minor errors | Frequent errors | Non-compliant |
Hospital-acquired pressure injuries remain a persistent quality concern in acute care settings despite preventive protocols. In adult medical-surgical patients, does the use of scheduled nurse-led repositioning compared with standard care reduce the incidence of pressure injuries within a four-week hospitalization period. Evidence indicates that structured repositioning programs significantly lower pressure injury rates and improve patient safety outcomes when consistently implemented (Padula et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.03.021).
Peer-Reviewed References
- Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com
- Padula, W. V., Delarmente, B. A. (2019). The national cost of hospital-acquired pressure injuries. American Journal of Infection Control, 47(6), 634–640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.03.021
- Dang, D., & Dearholt, S. L. (2018). Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model and guidelines (3rd ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
- White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terhaar, M. (2020). Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare practice (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing.