Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

When planning the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent falls, which of the following steps should the nurse take first?

1. Identify the common causes of falls

2. Gather and review currently existing literature and guidelines for the prevention of falls

3. Identify fall prevention practices that are applicable to the patient care setting

4. Gather data to identify the effectiveness of the new practice guidelines

The correct answer is: Gather and review currently existing literature and guidelines for the prevention of falls

When planning the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent falls, the nurse should first gather and review currently existing literature and guidelines for the prevention of falls. This step is crucial as it provides the nurse with the most up-to-date and evidence-based information on fall prevention strategies. By reviewing existing literature and guidelines, the nurse can ensure that the practices being implemented are based on the best available evidence, thus increasing the likelihood of their effectiveness in preventing falls. Only after this step has been completed can the nurse move on to identifying common causes of falls, identifying applicable fall prevention practices, and gathering data to evaluate the effectiveness of the new practice guidelines.