In order to complete this discussion: 

1. Choose a topic related to a problem in pediatric care and formulate a PICO question regarding the ‘problem’ from your scenario that you identified. Remember PICO stands for population, intervention, comparison, and outcome. Here is an example PICO question: (P) In hospitalized children ages 1-18 years, (I) is using EMLA cream (C) compared to Dermoplast spray (O) more effective to reduce the pain of IV insertions. 

2. Search the literature to see what research evidence is available. You can look in the Biomedical library or search for clinical practice guidelines. At the bottom of this page there are tutorials published by our Biomedical Library to guide your search. Find ONE article that supports or disproves the PICO question. The article must be a research article. Some examples include: randomized control trials, quasi-experimental studies, correlation or observational studies, case control or retrospective studies, cohort studies and meta-analysis or systematic reviews of quantitative literature. No continuing education (C.E.U.) articles or opinion piece. 

3. Include the purpose and major findings in your discussion. What did the article discuss? Remember that major findings does not mean that you need to give a statistical report of the findings. It just means that you would say something like this “Research shows that EMLA cream is more effective in reducing pain than Dermoplast, but it takes much longer to work than the Dermoplast spray.” 

4. Rate the level of strength and quality of the article using the JHNEBP Evidence Rating Scales.pdf. Include the strength/quality of the evidence in your explanation of why you would use the evidence in practice. Your rating should include a number and a letter. 

5. Discuss whether or not you apply the article’s finding to your nursing practice. Did the level of evidence affect your decision? This discussion would sound like this: “I would use this research in my practice because this article was a systematic review of 15 randomized control trials (RCT). Randomized control trials generate the strongest evidence without bias. The evidence is made even stronger because 12 out of the 15 RCT in this systematic review support the use of EMLA cream. Because I work on the peds floor, I would choose the EMLA over the Dermoplast, but those in the emergency department where there is no time to wait may choose to use the spray because it does not take as long to become effective.” Include a minimum of one peer-reviewed reference in APA format for your initial post. 

SCHOLARSHIP: Remember to answer the questions in complete sentences and use proper spelling and grammar. Avoid plagiarism and cite references where appropriate. Up to 10% may be deducted for poor scholarship.