FAQS

PICO is a strategy used in the first step of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) research to formulate a searchable clinical question and to develop key terms.  

EBP Steps

1.  Ask: Formulate an answerable question (PICO).

2.  Acquire: Find the best available resources to answer the question.

3.  Appraise: Critically appraise the evidence for validity, impact, relevance, and applicability.

4.  Apply: Implement the results by combining the evidence and clinical expertise.

5.  Evaluate: Assess effectiveness of the decision.

This assignment asks you to follow the first three steps of EBP: Ask, Acquire, and Appraise.

For this assignment, you are asked to use the PICO format above to design your own question. It may be something you are familiar with or something you imagine to be an issue in nursing. Keep it simple! For example:

Patient A is receiving chemotherapy. To manage the patient's nausea and vomiting, the doctor has given them prochlorperazine. The patient calls and informs the nurse that they have read ginger is just as effective as the prochlorperazine and is wondering if this is true.

Formulated Question: In patients receiving chemotherapy who are experiencing moderate nausea and vomiting, is the use of ginger as effective as prochlorperazine in reducing it?

By completing the PICO chart above, a formulated question was created to guide the research process.

Once you have your formulated question in place, it is time to research reliable databases or websites and find three articles that are related to your PICO. Make sure to include these articles on your references page.
 

Here are some resources to help you complete your research:

• How do I find nursing articles to answer my PICO clinical question?
• Nursing Research tab on the Nursing Guide

After you have found your articles, you need to analyze them. Write one paragraph about each article addressing the similarities and/or differences in the articles related to your PICO.

• What are the strengths of the article?
• What are the weaknesses?
• Is the article relevant to your research?
• Does the article add anything new to your research?

You have formulated your question, you have completed the research, and you have evaluated the articles. It is now time to bring all of this information together. We have included a possible template for your use - check it out below under Links & Files.

Remember, if you need any clarification, you can always reach out to your instructor.