Locate a research article that utilized a vulnerable population such as children, mentally or emotional disabled people, physically disabled people, the terminally ill, institutionalized people, or pregnant women.

1.

Discuss the ethical dilemmas inherit in the research article and how the nursing researcher adhered to ethical standards while still gaining the data necessary for meaningful research.

2.

Describe how the author protected the rights of the research population to ensure the safety and understanding of about the research.

Topic 1: Evidence-Based Change

Locate an article from a peer-reviewed nursing journal where a practice change was made based on research, preferably a change that could relate to your area of practice or organization. Note: You are seeking to find an evidence-based article that describes some change in practice that was based on research; this is all about applying research, not doing research. Thus, you are not looking for a research article, but you are looking for an article that uses evidence from research to make a change.

1. Describe the change made and comment on the strength of the research evidence utilized and the whether the change led to improved patient outcomes.
2. Note any barriers to change that were identified and how they were overcome.
3. End your discussion with a reflection on how this article is useful to you as you consider your role as an advanced practice nurse leading others to use the best evidence to strengthen nursing practice and improve nursing-sensitive patient outcomes.

EP is a fifty-year-old woman who reports experiencing two to three hot flashes per day, occasionally associated with insomnia. She also states she is awakened from sleep about two to three times per week, needing to change her bedclothes and linens due to sweating. Her symptoms began about three months ago, and over that time, her symptoms have worsened to the point where they have become very bothersome. She is concerned about starting any hormonal treatment because she has read news stories that the medication is not safe. She has been successfully treated for depression and is currently doing well on paroxetine. Her current medications include omeprazole 20 mg daily, paroxetine 20 mg, Synthroid 0.075 mg daily, and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily. Her physical exam is normal; her blood pressure is 128/86, her pulse is 78, and her body mass index (BMI) is 30.5. Answer the following questions:

• Is there any additional information you would want to collect?
• What are the variables you would take into account before deciding how to help her?
• What treatment will you recommend?
• What nonpharmacological treatment would you suggest?

For medications, include dosages and schedules. Include highlights of patient teaching and/or lifestyle alterations. Support your decisions with at least one reference to a published clinical guideline and one peer-reviewed publication.