Explore the role of evidence-based practice (EBP) in improving patient outcomes within the field of nursing. Select a specific clinical issue or practice area relevant to nursing care. Conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify current research, guidelines, and best practices related to the chosen topic. Evaluate the strength of evidence and applicability of findings to nursing practice. Develop an EBP proposal outlining strategies for implementing evidence-based interventions or protocols to address the identified clinical issue. Consider factors such as patient preferences, healthcare resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Present your proposal in a structured format, including a rationale, literature review, implementation plan, and evaluation methods.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Improving Patient Outcomes in Nursing Care: A Proposal for Addressing Pressure Ulcers
Rationale
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are a common and preventable clinical issue in healthcare settings. These wounds can lead to pain, discomfort, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Evidence-based practice (EBP) plays a crucial role in addressing pressure ulcers by guiding nurses in implementing effective interventions to prevent and manage these wounds. By utilizing current research and best practices, nurses can enhance patient outcomes, improve quality of care, and reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers.
Literature Review
Current research emphasizes the importance of prevention strategies such as regular repositioning, optimizing nutrition, using support surfaces, and conducting skin assessments. Guidelines from organizations like the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) provide evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and management of pressure ulcers. Best practices involve interdisciplinary collaboration, patient education, and the implementation of standardized protocols to ensure consistent and effective care.
Implementation Plan
1. Education and Training: Provide comprehensive education to nursing staff on pressure ulcer prevention, identification, and management techniques.
2. Risk Assessment: Implement standardized risk assessment tools to identify patients at high risk for developing pressure ulcers.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with wound care specialists, dietitians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans.
4. Patient Engagement: Involve patients in their care by educating them about pressure ulcer prevention strategies and involving them in decision-making processes.
5. Documentation and Monitoring: Establish clear documentation protocols to track pressure ulcer incidence, healing progress, and the effectiveness of interventions.
Evaluation Methods
1. Outcome Measures: Evaluate the incidence of pressure ulcers before and after implementing the EBP interventions.
2. Patient Satisfaction Surveys: Obtain feedback from patients regarding their experience with pressure ulcer prevention and management.
3. Compliance Monitoring: Monitor adherence to EBP protocols and guidelines to ensure consistent and effective implementation.
4. Cost Analysis: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to assess the financial impact of implementing evidence-based interventions for pressure ulcer prevention.
By implementing evidence-based interventions for pressure ulcer prevention and management, nurses can significantly improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of care, and reduce healthcare costs associated with treating pressure ulcers. Through a comprehensive EBP approach that integrates current research, guidelines, and best practices, nurses can make a positive impact on patient care and contribute to the overall well-being of individuals in healthcare settings.
