HNN108 Evidence-Based Practice Assessment Task 1 | Deakin

HNN108 Purpose:  

This assessment task will enable you to identify healthcare databases nurses use, navigate these databases to find the best available evidence, and summarise the relevant information provided in the retrieved studies that could be applied to clinical practice. 

Undertaking this assessment task will develop and assess your development of the following ULOs: 

1. ULO1: Acquire evidence to inform clinical decision-making from relevant databases. 
2. ULO2: Appraise the quality of evidence to inform clinical decision-making.

HNN108 Topic background: 

“Changes in vital signs can occur both early and late in the deterioration process. Regular measurement and documentation of vital signs and other physiological observations is essential for recognising acute deterioration” (ACSQHC, 2021, p. 6). “Of the vital signs collected, the respiratory rate is significant, in that abnormal respiratory rates are an early indicator of physiological conditions such as hypoxia, hypercapnia and respiratory or metabolic acidosis, all omens of ominous medical diseases. It can be seen from this evidence that tracking the respiratory rate of patients in acute care settings is an expedient method of identifying early signs of deterioration. Yet despite this knowledge, research reveals that the respiratory rate is often the most poorly recorded vital sign” (Flenady et al., 2017, p. 1).

HNN108 Task Description:

Your task for AT1 is to find three (3) relevant research studies (primary or secondary research) and summarise the main points of each study to develop an understanding of the overall research design and outcomes that relate to the clinical question: “How accurately do registered nurses measure respiratory rates when performing vital sign assessments in acute care settings?

HNN108 Assignment instructions: 

Step 1: Plan the search Using the template provided: 

a) Identify three (3) main concepts for your search.  
b) For each main concepts, identify one (1) alternate search term. 
c) Complete the ‘Search Strategy’ table on the assignment template. Note: you may use more than one alternate term in your actual search. Generative AI use is permitted to develop your search strategy only however you must acknowledge its use on the title page of your assignment.  

Step 2: Conduct the search 

d) Conduct a search of the literature by applying your search strategy to relevant databases using the Deakin library site, as demonstrated to you in your seminars. 
e) Choose three (3) recent peer-reviewed research studies that are relevant to your topic, published within the last 10 years and directly address the clinical question: “How accurately do registered nurses measure respiratory rates when performing vital sign assessments in acute care settings?”  
Note: You will be using these research studies and summaries to answer the research question in your synthesis for AT2.  

Step 3: Summarise the evidence 

f) Summarise the main points of each chosen study including the purpose/aim, research design, methods, and key findings by filling in the assignment task template. You will also need to include the title of the paper and the citation as per APA7 for each study. 
g) The summary of key findings should provide evidence to answer the clinical question in the AT2 synthesis. h) All written information must be paraphrased using your own words.  Note: You are NOT permitted to use Generative AI for this section, as it is important for nurses to develop the skills needed to identify appropriate data and summarise it, forming a foundation for critical thinking development.   

Step 4: Acknowledge the sources  

i) Provide a reference list of the three (3) chosen studies. j) Provide a copy/screenshot of the abstract for your three (3) studies on the last page of the template.  

Please note: 

• You must use the template provided in the assessment folder on Cloud Deakin. 
• Papers chosen must be peer reviewed and published within the last 10 years (2015 – 2025).  
• Studies can be quantitative and qualitative or a mixture of both. 
• Australian and/or international studies are permitted.

HNN108 Presentation requirements:

The School of Nursing and Midwifery follows the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition referencing style. Presentation requirements of this referencing style are outlined below. For further detail regarding APA 7 referencing style refer to Referencing | Students (deakin.edu.au).

Technical support

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Access Plan 

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