A team of nurses wants to integrate evidence-based practice into a facility's clinical pathways. Which step should the team implement first?
Correct Answer:
Ask questions to identify clinical problems.
Rationale:
The first step in evidence-based practice (EBP) is to formulate a clinical question that identifies a specific problem or need. This is often done using a structured format like PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). Without clearly identifying the problem, the subsequent steps of acquiring, appraising, and applying evidence cannot be effectively executed.