Question

The nurse manager asks a staff nurse why a procedure is done in a certain manner. The nurse replies, "I don't know why I started doing it this way. I've never read any research on it, but this technique always works for me." The manager would place this technique into which category of evidence?

Answer 1

The technique mentioned by the staff nurse would be classified as anecdotal evidence, which is considered a lower level of evidence in the hierarchy of evidence-based practice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse manager is inquiring about the category of evidence for a procedure that is based on personal experience rather than research. This type of evidence is often referred to as anecdotal evidence. Anecdotal evidence refers to recommendations based on personal experiences, observations, or individual cases rather than on scientific data or research. In the context of evidence-based practice in healthcare, anecdotal evidence typically ranks low in the hierarchy of evidence because it lacks the rigor of research studies and can be prone to bias. In evidence-based practice, more reliable evidence would come from systematic research, such as randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses, which can provide higher levels of certainty and generalizability.