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Nurses' guide to evidence-based practice

Basics on EBP concepts and resources at LLUH with a focus on the first three steps, ASK, ACQUIRE, and APPRAISE.

Step 1 in the EBP process is to ASK a searchable, answerable clinical question.  PICO is a standardized format that creates a well-defined question. 

Practice your PICO skills on the clinical scenarios below.

Formulating the question

Fill in the blanks with information from your clinical scenario:

THERAPY
In_______________, what is the effect of ________________on _______________ compared with _________________?

ETIOLOGY
Are ______________ who have _______________ at ______________ risk for/of ____________ compared with _____________ with/without ______________?

DIAGNOSIS OR DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Are (Is) ________________ more accurate in diagnosing _______________ compared with ____________?

PREVENTION
For ___________ does the use of _________________ reduce the future risk of ____________ compared with ______________?

PROGNOSIS
Does ____________ influence ______________ in patients who have _____________? 

MEANING
How do _______________ diagnosed with _______________ perceive __________________?

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.