You are the District nurse who is visiting Violet, who has type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and a lower left leg ulcer. She is ambulant over short distances with a walking frame. Violet has been approved for residential aged care and has been waiting for a nursing home bed. During the last 3 months you have been visiting to attend to Violet’s BSL’s and daily dressings, until a suitable placement becomes available

Violet currently lives with her daughter Gemma, Matthew (Gemma’s husband), and their two young children, Scott aged 5 and Lucy aged 7, who both attend the local primary school. The family lives in a two-bedroom town house. Gemma works night shift as an enrolled nurse, and earlier in the year Matthew was made redundant from his job and is currently unemployed.

The house is becoming quite stressful. The children have given up their bedroom for their grandmother and are sleeping in the lounge room. Violet requires a lot of care and is demanding of her daughter’s time. Violet argues frequently with Matthew about him not working and his drinking of alcohol. You are very fond of the family and feel for the pressures that they are under. One day after you shower and attended Violets wound care you pass Matthew sitting on the front step of the house. He is drinking alcohol and it is 10am. You ask him how he is coping with having Violet staying with the family. He says he’s not doing so well and “lately I’ve had trouble controlling my temper with the kids”.

Assessment Task : Research / Evidence-Based Practice Paper

Task description
   

Identify a clinical issue from the case study provided.  Formulate both a qualitative and a quantitative clinical question to explore  this issue. Search for evidence to answer or address your questions.

Assessment criteria


1. Formulates searchable clinical questions for both quantitative and qualitative aspects of a scenario.

2. Demonstrates the ability to search for research evidence to answer the questions.

3. Identifies appropriate evidence to address/answer these questions.

4. Demonstrates ability to use research findings to answer a clinical question.

5. Writes clearly and succinctly, with correct grammar, terminology and referencing (Harvard style).

Instructions 

1. From the scenario provided, identify the clinical issues apparent. Select an issue of clinical interest to explore further.

2. Develop a quantitative research question related to the clinical issue selected, demonstrating your understanding of this approach to research.

3. Explain the search strategy or process used to identify suitable research articles to assist in answering the question you have posed.

4. Identify relevant research articles and briefly explain how each article contributes to answering the question you have posed.

5. Develop a qualitative research question related to the clinical issue selected, demonstrating your understanding of this approach to research.

6. Explain the search strategy or process used to identify suitable research articles to assist in answering the question you have posed.

7. Identify relevant research articles and briefly explain how each article contributes to answering the question you have posed.

More Information

Identifies a variety of problems which the patient is suffering. These issues will in someway relate to the health of the patient. These issues may include, but are not limited to, diagnosis, resources, life events, social supports, environmental problems etc. I would suggest that you take some time to explore and define ‘clinical issues’ prior to commencing your assessment task.