Question

The nurse reads a research article concluding that patients newly diagnosed with diabetes should receive a referral to a nutritionist to avoid complications. What is the nurse's priority action related to evidence-based practice after reading this article?

A) Share the article with the nurse manager and suggest changing the procedure to give referrals to all newly diagnosed diabetic patients.
B) Form a committee to talk with the physicians suggesting the need for a referral to a nutritionist for all diabetic patients on the unit.
C) Talk to the dietitian and suggest he or she talk to diabetic patients who are admitted to the unit from now on.
D) Conduct a literature search to see if more articles can be found recommending the involvement of a nutritionist in care of the diabetic patient.

Answer 1

The nurse's priority action should be to conduct a literature search for additional evidence on the referral to a nutritionist for diabetic patient care, which corresponds with an evidence-based practice approach.

Step-by-step explanation:

After reading a research article concluding that patients newly diagnosed with diabetes should receive a referral to a nutritionist to avoid complications, a nurse's priority action related to evidence-based practice would be to conduct a literature search to see if more articles can be found recommending the involvement of a nutritionist in the care of the diabetic patient. This course of action is option D, which aligns with evidence-based practice by seeking to verify the research findings through additional sources before suggesting changes to unit policies or practice.

Registered dietitians are critical in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes. They work with patients in health care facilities to design nutrition plans that help manage blood sugar levels through proper diet, which is essential in diabetes management. A thorough literature search would inform the nurse about the latest evidence, potentially leading to improved patient care through updated procedures.