nursing research assignment example

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

What is a nursing research paper.

• What They Include
• Choosing a Topic
• Best Nursing Research Topics
• Research Paper Writing Tips

Writing a research paper is a massive task that involves careful organization, critical analysis, and a lot of time. Some nursing students are natural writers, while others struggle to select a nursing research topic, let alone write about it.

If you're a nursing student who dreads writing research papers, this article may help ease your anxiety. We'll cover everything you need to know about writing nursing school research papers and the top topics for nursing research.  

Continue reading to make your paper-writing jitters a thing of the past.

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A nursing research paper is a work of academic writing composed by a nurse or nursing student. The paper may present information on a specific topic or answer a question.

During LPN/LVN and RN programs, most papers you write focus on learning to use research databases, evaluate appropriate resources, and format your writing with APA style. You'll then synthesize your research information to answer a question or analyze a topic.

BSN , MSN , Ph.D., and DNP programs also write nursing research papers. Students in these programs may also participate in conducting original research studies.

Writing papers during your academic program improves and develops many skills, including the ability to:

• Select nursing topics for research
• Conduct effective research
• Analyze published academic literature
• Format and cite sources
• Synthesize data
• Organize and articulate findings

About Nursing Research Papers

When do nursing students write research papers.

You may need to write a research paper for any of the nursing courses you take. Research papers help develop critical thinking and communication skills. They allow you to learn how to conduct research and critically review publications.

That said, not every class will require in-depth, 10-20-page papers. The more advanced your degree path, the more you can expect to write and conduct research. If you're in an associate or bachelor's program, you'll probably write a few papers each semester or term.

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

Most of the time, you won't be designing, conducting, and evaluating new research. Instead, your projects will focus on learning the research process and the scientific method. You'll achieve these objectives by evaluating existing nursing literature and sources and defending a thesis.

However, many nursing faculty members do conduct original research. So, you may get opportunities to participate in, and publish, research articles.

Example Research Project Scenario:

In your maternal child nursing class, the professor assigns the class a research paper regarding developmentally appropriate nursing interventions for the pediatric population. While that may sound specific, you have almost endless opportunities to narrow down the focus of your writing. 

You could choose pain intervention measures in toddlers. Conversely, you can research the effects of prolonged hospitalization on adolescents' social-emotional development.

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

Your professor should provide a thorough guideline of the scope of the paper. In general, an undergraduate nursing research paper will consist of:

Introduction : A brief overview of the research question/thesis statement your paper will discuss. You can include why the topic is relevant.

Body : This section presents your research findings and allows you to synthesize the information and data you collected. You'll have a chance to articulate your evaluation and answer your research question. The length of this section depends on your assignment.

Conclusion : A brief review of the information and analysis you presented throughout the body of the paper. This section is a recap of your paper and another chance to reassert your thesis.

The best advice is to follow your instructor's rubric and guidelines. Remember to ask for help whenever needed, and avoid overcomplicating the assignment!

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

The sheer volume of prospective nursing research topics can become overwhelming for students. Additionally, you may get the misconception that all the 'good' research ideas are exhausted. However, a personal approach may help you narrow down a research topic and find a unique angle.

Writing your research paper about a topic you value or connect with makes the task easier. Additionally, you should consider the material's breadth. Topics with plenty of existing literature will make developing a research question and thesis smoother.

Finally, feel free to shift gears if necessary, especially if you're still early in the research process. If you start down one path and have trouble finding published information, ask your professor if you can choose another topic.

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

You have endless subject choices for nursing research papers. This non-exhaustive list just scratches the surface of some of the best nursing research topics.

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

• Analyze the use of telehealth/virtual nursing to reduce inpatient nurse duties.
• Discuss the impact of evidence-based respiratory interventions on patient outcomes in critical care settings.
• Explore the effectiveness of pain management protocols in pediatric patients.

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

• Assess the impact of nurse-led diabetes education in Type II Diabetics.
• Analyze the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to healthcare services.

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

• Review the effectiveness of simulation-based learning to improve nursing students' clinical skills.
• Identify methods that best prepare pre-licensure students for clinical practice.
• Investigate factors that influence nurses to pursue advanced degrees.
• Evaluate education methods that enhance cultural competence among nurses.
• Describe the role of mindfulness interventions in reducing stress and burnout among nurses.

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

• Explore patient outcomes related to nurse staffing levels in acute behavioral health settings.
• Assess the effectiveness of mental health education among emergency room nurses .
• Explore de-escalation techniques that result in improved patient outcomes.
• Review the effectiveness of therapeutic communication in improving patient outcomes.

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

• Assess the impact of parental involvement in pediatric asthma treatment adherence.
• Explore challenges related to chronic illness management in pediatric patients.
• Review the role of play therapy and other therapeutic interventions that alleviate anxiety among hospitalized children.

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

• Analyze the effects of short staffing on nurse burnout .
• Evaluate factors that facilitate resiliency among nursing professionals.
• Examine predictors of nurse dissatisfaction and burnout.
• Posit how nursing theories influence modern nursing practice.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

The best nursing research advice we can provide is to follow your professor's rubric and instructions. However, here are a few study tips for nursing students to make paper writing less painful:

Avoid procrastination: Everyone says it, but few follow this advice. You can significantly lower your stress levels if you avoid procrastinating and start working on your project immediately.

Plan Ahead: Break down the writing process into smaller sections, especially if it seems overwhelming. Give yourself time for each step in the process.

Research: Use your resources and ask for help from the librarian or instructor. The rest should come together quickly once you find high-quality studies to analyze.

Outline: Create an outline to help you organize your thoughts. Then, you can plug in information throughout the research process. 

Clear Language: Use plain language as much as possible to get your point across. Jargon is inevitable when writing academic nursing papers, but keep it to a minimum.

Cite Properly: Accurately cite all sources using the appropriate citation style. Nursing research papers will almost always implement APA style. Check out the resources below for some excellent reference management options.

Revise and Edit: Once you finish your first draft, put it away for one to two hours or, preferably, a whole day. Once you've placed some space between you and your paper, read through and edit for clarity, coherence, and grammatical errors. Reading your essay out loud is an excellent way to check for the 'flow' of the paper.

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

Purdue OWL (Online writing lab) has a robust APA guide covering everything you need about APA style and rules.

Grammarly helps you edit grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Upgrading to a paid plan will get you plagiarism detection, formatting, and engagement suggestions. This tool is excellent to help you simplify complicated sentences.

Mendeley is a free reference management software. It stores, organizes, and cites references. It has a Microsoft plug-in that inserts and correctly formats APA citations.

Don't let nursing research papers scare you away from starting nursing school or furthering your education. Their purpose is to develop skills you'll need to be an effective nurse: critical thinking, communication, and the ability to review published information critically.

Choose a great topic and follow your teacher's instructions; you'll finish that paper in no time.

Joleen Sams is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner based in the Kansas City metro area. During her 10-year RN career, Joleen worked in NICU, inpatient pediatrics, and regulatory compliance. Since graduating with her MSN-FNP in 2019, she has worked in urgent care and nursing administration. Connect with Joleen on LinkedIn or see more of her writing on her website.

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PICOT Question Examples for Nursing Research

Are you looking for examples of nursing PICOT questions to inspire your creativity as you research for a perfect nursing topic for your paper? You came to the right place.

We have a comprehensive guide on how to write a good PICO Question for your case study, research paper, white paper, term paper, project, or capstone paper. Therefore, we will not go into the details in this post. A good PICOT question possesses the following qualities:

• A clinical-based question addresses the nursing research areas or topics.
• It is specific, concise, and clear.
• Patient, problem, or population.
• Intervention.
• Comparison.
• Includes medical, clinical, and nursing terms where necessary.
• It is not ambiguous.

For more information, read our comprehensive PICOT Question guide . You can use these questions to inspire your PICOT choice for your evidence-based papers , reports, or nursing research papers.

If you are stuck with assignments and want some help, we offer the best nursing research assignment help online. We have expert nursing writers who can formulate an excellent clinical, research, and PICOT question for you. They can also write dissertations, white papers, theses, reports, and capstones. Do not hesitate to place an order.

List of 180 Plus Best PICOT Questions to Get Inspiration From

Here is a list of nursing PICO questions to inspire you when developing yours. Some PICOT questions might be suitable for BSN and MSN but not DNP. If you are writing a change project for your DNP, try to focus on PICOT questions that align to process changes. 

• Among healthy newborn infants in low- and middle-income countries (P), does early skin-to-skin contact of the baby with the mother in the first hour of life (I) compared with drying and wrapping (C) have an impact on neonatal mortality, hypothermia or initiation/exclusivity/ duration of breastfeeding (O)?
• Is it necessary to test blood glucose levels 4 times daily for a patient suffering from Type 1 diabetes?
• Does raising the head of the bed of a mechanically ventilated patient reduce the chances of pneumonia?
• Does music therapy is an effective mode of PACU pain management for patients who are slowly coming out from their anesthesia?
• For all neonates (P), should vitamin K prophylaxis (I) be given for the prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (O)?
• For young infants (0-2 months) with suspected sepsis managed in health facilities (P), should third generation cephalosporin monotherapy (I) replace currently recommended ampicillin-gentamicin combination (C) as first line empiric treatment for preventing death and sequelae (O)?
• In low-birth-weight/pre-term neonates in health facilities (P), is skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (I) more effective than conventional care (C) in preventing hypothermia (O)?
• In children aged 259 months (P), what is the most effective antibiotic therapy (I, C) for severe pneumonia (O)?
• Is skin-to-skin contact of the infant with the mother a more assured way of ensuring neonatal mortality compared to drying and wrapping?
• Are oral contraceptives effective in stopping pregnancy for women above 30 years?
• Is spironolactone a better drug for reducing the blood pressure of teenagers when compared to clonidine?
• What is the usefulness of an LP/spinal tap after the beginning of antivirals for a pediatric population suffering from fever?
• In children aged 259 months in developing countries (P), which parenteral antibiotic or combination of antibiotics (I), at what dose and duration, is effective for the treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis in hospital in reducing mortality and sequelae (O)?
• Does the habit of washing hands third-generation workers decrease the events of infections in hospitals?
• Is the intake of zinc pills more effective than Vitamin C for preventing cold during winter for middle-aged women?
• In children with acute severe malnutrition (P), are antibiotics (I) effective in preventing death and sequelae (O)?
• Among, children with lower respiratory tract infection (P), what are the best cut off oxygen saturation levels (D), at different altitudes that will determine hypoxaemia requiring oxygen therapy (O)?
• In infants and children in low-resource settings (P), what is the most appropriate method (D) of detecting hypoxaemia in hospitals (O)?
• In children with shock (P), what is the most appropriate choice of intravenous fluid therapy (I) to prevent death and sequelae (O)?
• In fully conscious children with hypoglycaemia (P) what is the effectiveness of administering sublingual sugar (I)?
• Is using toys as distractions during giving needle vaccinations to toddlers an effective pain response management?
• What is the result of a higher amount of potassium intake among children with low blood pressure?
• Is cup feeding an infant better than feeding through tubes in a NICU setup?
• Does the intervention of flushing the heroin via lines a more effective way of treating patients with CVLs/PICCs?
• Is the use of intravenous fluid intervention a better remedy for infants under fatal conditions?
• Do bedside shift reports help in the overall patient care for nurses?
• Is home visitation a better way of dealing with teen pregnancy when compared to regular school visits in rural areas?
• Is fentanyl more effective than morphine in dealing with the pain of adults over the age of 50 years?
• What are the health outcomes of having a high amount of potassium for adults over the age of 21 years?
• Does the use of continuous feed during emesis a more effective way of intervention when compared to the process of stopping the feed for a short period?
• Does controlling the amount of sublingual sugar help completely conscious children suffering from hypoglycemia?
• Is the lithotomy position an ideal position for giving birth to women in labor?
• Does group therapy help patients with schizophrenia to help their conversational skills?
• What are the probable after-effects, in the form of bruises and other injuries, of heparin injection therapy for COPD patients?
• Would standardized discharge medication education improve home medication adherence in adults age 65 and older compared to-standardized discharge medication education?
• In patients with psychiatric disorders is medication non-compliance a greater risk compared with adults experiencing chronic illness?
• Is the use of beta-blockers for lowering blood pressure for adult men over the age of 70 years effective?
• Nasal swab or nasal aspirate? Which one is more effective for children suffering from seasonal flu?
• What are the effects of adding beta-blockers for lowering blood pressure for adult men over the age of 70 years?
• Does the process of stopping lipids for 4 hours an effective measure of obtaining the desired TG level for patients who are about to receive TPN?
• Is medical intervention a proper way of dealing with childhood obesity among school-going children?
• Can nurse-led presentations of mental health associated with bullying help in combating such tendencies in public schools?
• What are the impacts of managing Prevacid before a pH probe study for pediatric patients with GERD?
• What are the measurable effects of extending ICU stays and antibiotic consumption amongst children with sepsis?
• Does the use of infrared skin thermometers justified when compared to the tympanic thermometers for a pediatric population?
• What are the roles of a pre-surgery cardiac nurse in order to prevent depression among patients awaiting cardiac operation?
• Does the increase in the habit of smoking marijuana among Dutch students increase the chances of depression?
• What is the direct connection between VAP and NGT?
• Is psychological intervention for people suffering from dementia a more effective measure than giving them a placebo?
• Are alarm sensors effective in preventing accidents in hospitals for patients over the age of 65 years?
• Is the sudden change of temperature harmful for patients who are neurologically devastated?
• Is it necessary to test blood glucose levels, 4 times a day, for a patient suffering from Type 1 diabetes?
• Is the use of MDI derive better results, when compared to regular nebulizers, for pediatric patients suffering from asthma?
• What are the effects of IVF bolus in controlling the amount of Magnesium Sulfate for patients who are suffering from asthma?
• Is the process of stopping lipids for 4 hours an effective measure of obtaining the desired TG level for patients who are about to receive TPN?
• What are the standards of vital signs for a pediatric population?
• Is daily blood pressure monitoring help in addressing the triggers of hypertension among males over 65 years?
• Does receiving phone tweets lower blood sugar levels for people suffering from Type 1 diabetes?
• Are males over the age of 30 years who have smoked for more than 1 year exposed to a greater risk of esophageal cancer when compared to the same age group of men who have no history of smoking?
• Does the increase in the use of mosquito nets in Uganda help in the reduction of malaria among the infants?
• Does the increase in the intake of oral contraceptives increase the chances of breast cancer among 20-30 years old women in the UK?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does group therapy (I) compared to individual therapy (C) improve maternal-infant bonding (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (I) compared to pharmacotherapy (C) improve quality of life (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does continuous glucose monitoring (I) compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a vegetarian diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) slow the decline in renal function (O) after one year (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute otitis media (P), does delayed antibiotic prescribing (I) compared to immediate antibiotic prescribing (C) reduce antibiotic use (O) within one week (T)?
• In older adults with dementia (P), does pet therapy (I) compared to no pet therapy (C) decrease agitation (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic heart failure (P), does telemonitoring of vital signs (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with anxiety disorders (P), does exposure therapy (I) compared to cognitive therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does lactation consultation (I) compared to standard care (C) increase breastfeeding rates (O) after four weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does long-acting bronchodilator therapy (I) compared to short-acting bronchodilator therapy (C) improve lung function (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does bright light therapy (I) compared to placebo (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after six weeks (T)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does telemedicine-based diabetes management (I) compared to standard care (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-phosphorus diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) decrease serum phosphate levels (O) after one year (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis (P), does probiotic supplementation (I) compared to placebo (C) reduce the duration of diarrhea (O) within 48 hours (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does acupuncture (I) compared to sham acupuncture (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults at risk of falls (P), does a home modification program (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce the incidence of falls (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), does cognitive remediation therapy (I) compared to standard therapy (C) improve cognitive function (O) after one year (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (I) compared to angiotensin receptor blockers (C) slow the progression of renal disease (O) over a period of two years (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does chlorhexidine bathing (I) compared to regular bathing (C) reduce the risk of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does pulmonary rehabilitation combined with telemonitoring (I) compared to standard pulmonary rehabilitation (C) improve exercise capacity (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with heart failure (P), does a nurse-led heart failure clinic (I) compared to usual care (C) improve self-care behaviors (O) after six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does telephone-based counseling (I) compared to face-to-face counseling (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic migraine (P), does prophylactic treatment with topiramate (I) compared to amitriptyline (C) reduce the frequency of migraines (O) after three months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute otitis media (P), does watchful waiting (I) compared to immediate antibiotic treatment (C) reduce the duration of symptoms (O) within seven days (T)?
• In older adults with dementia (P), does reminiscence therapy (I) compared to usual care (C) improve cognitive function (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic heart failure (P), does telemonitoring combined with a medication reminder system (I) compared to telemonitoring alone (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with asthma (P), does self-management education (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce asthma exacerbations (O) over a period of one year (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does the use of wound dressings with antimicrobial properties (I) compared to standard dressings (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to usual care (C) improve psychological well-being (O) over a period of three months (T)?
• In adult patients with chronic pain (P), does biofeedback therapy (I) compared to relaxation techniques (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a low-glycemic index diet (I) compared to a high-glycemic-index diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does regular physical activity (I) compared to no physical activity (C) improve health-related quality of life (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In postpartum women (P), does perineal warm compresses (I) compared to standard perineal care (C) reduce perineal pain (O) after vaginal delivery (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-protein, low-phosphorus diet (I) compared to a low-protein diet alone (C) slow the progression of renal disease(O) after two years (T)?
• In pediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P), does mindfulness-based interventions (I) compared to medication alone (C) improve attention and behavior (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to physical therapy (C) reduce pain interference (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In elderly patients with osteoarthritis (P), does aquatic exercise (I) compared to land-based exercise (C) improve joint flexibility and reduce pain (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with multiple sclerosis (P), does high-intensity interval training (I) compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (C) improve physical function (O) after three months (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does preoperative carbohydrate loading (I) compared to fasting (C) reduce postoperative insulin resistance (O) within 24 hours (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does home-based tele-rehabilitation (I) compared to center-based rehabilitation (C) improve exercise capacity (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (P), does tai chi (I) compared to pharmacological treatment (C) reduce joint pain and improve physical function (O) after six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postpartum hemorrhage (P), does early administration of tranexamic acid (I) compared to standard administration (C) reduce blood loss (O) within two hours (T)?
• In patients with hypertension (P), does mindfulness meditation (I) compared to relaxation techniques (C) reduce blood pressure (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In elderly patients with hip fractures (P), does multidisciplinary geriatric care (I) compared to standard care (C) improve functional outcomes (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does aerobic exercise (I) compared to resistance exercise (C) improve renal function (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does add-on treatment with omega-3 fatty acids (I) compared to placebo (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does preoperative education using multimedia materials (I) compared to standard education (C) improve patient satisfaction (O) after surgery (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a plant-based diet (I) compared to a standard diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does high-flow oxygen therapy (I) compared to standard oxygen therapy (C) improve exercise tolerance (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with heart failure (P), does nurse-led telephone follow-up (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does online cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to face-to-face therapy (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic migraine (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to medication alone (C) reduce the frequency and severity of migraines (O) after three months (T)?
• In older adults with delirium (P), does structured music intervention (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce the duration of delirium episodes (O) during hospitalization (T)?
• In patients with chronic low back pain (P), does yoga (I) compared to physical therapy (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after six weeks (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute otitis media (P), does watchful waiting with pain management (I) compared to immediate antibiotic treatment (C) reduce the need for antibiotics (O) within one week (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), does family psychoeducation (I) compared to standard treatment (C) improve medication adherence (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-phosphorus diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) slow the progression of renal disease (O) after one year (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does wound irrigation with saline solution (I) compared to povidone-iodine solution (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with type 1 diabetes (P), does continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (I) compared to multiple daily injections (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does the use of prophylactic antibiotics (I) compared to no antibiotics (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does smoking cessation counseling (I) compared to no counseling (C) decrease the frequency of exacerbations (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does a multidisciplinary team approach (I) compared to standard care (C) improve self-management behaviors (O) over a period of one year (T)?
• In pregnant women with gestational hypertension (P), does bed rest (I) compared to regular activity (C) reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia (O) before delivery (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (I) compared to placebo (C) slow the progression of renal disease (O) over a period of two years (T)?
• In older adults with hip fractures (P), does early surgical intervention (I) compared to delayed surgery (C) improve functional outcomes (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does exercise (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In children with autism spectrum disorder (P), does applied behavior analysis (I) compared to standard therapy (C) improve social communication skills (O) over a period of one year (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does the use of incentive spirometry (I) compared to no spirometry (C) decrease the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (O) within seven days (T)?
• In patients with hypertension (P), does a combination of diet modification and exercise (I) compared to medication alone (C) lower blood pressure (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does home oxygen therapy (I) compared to no oxygen therapy (C) improve exercise capacity (O) after threemonths (T)?
• In patients with heart failure (P), does a multidisciplinary heart failure management program (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does mindfulness meditation (I) compared to relaxation techniques (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-sodium diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) lower blood pressure (O) after six months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P), does neurofeedback training (I) compared to medication (C) improve attention and behavior (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does transcranial direct current stimulation (I) compared to sham stimulation (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults with osteoporosis (P), does a structured exercise program (I) compared to no exercise (C) improve bone mineral density (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet (I) compared to a standard diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to usual care (C) improve dyspnea symptoms (O) after three months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does online peer support (I) compared to individual therapy (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does resistance training (I) compared to aerobic training (C) improve muscle strength (O) after six months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with asthma (P), does a written asthma action plan (I) compared to verbal instructions (C) reduce emergency department visits (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does yoga (I) compared to pharmacological treatment (C) reduce pain interference (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults at risk of falls (P), does a multifactorial falls prevention program (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce the rate of falls (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), does cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to medication alone (C) reduce positive symptom severity (O) after six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does breast massage (I) compared to no massage (C) improve milk flow (O) after four weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does long-term oxygen therapy (I) compared to short-term oxygen therapy (C) improve survival rates (O) after one year (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (I) compared to sham treatment (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after six weeks (T)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does a digital health app (I) compared to standard care (C) improve medication adherence (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-potassium diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) lower serum potassium levels (O) after one year (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis (P), does oral rehydration solution (I) compared to intravenous fluid therapy (C) reduce hospital admissions (O) within 48 hours (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does hypnotherapy (I) compared to no hypnotherapy (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults at risk of falls (P), does a tai chi program (I) compared to no exercise program (C) improve balance and stability (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic heart failure (P), does a home-based self-care intervention (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with anxiety disorders (P), does acceptance and commitment therapy (I) compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does the use of nipple shields (I) compared to no nipple shields (C) improve breastfeeding success (O) after four weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does a comprehensive self-management program (I) compared to usual care (C) improve health-related quality of life (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to face-to-face therapy (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• Does the increase in the habit of smoking marijuana among Dutch students increase the likelihood of depression?
• Does the use of pain relief medication during surgery provide more effective pain reduction compared to the same medication given post-surgery?
• Does the increase in the intake of oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer among women aged 20-30 in the UK?
• Does the habit of washing hands among healthcare workers decrease the rate of infections in hospitals?
• Does the use of modern syringes help in reducing needle injuries among healthcare workers in America?
• Does encouraging male work colleagues to talk about sexual harassment decrease the rate of depression in the workplace?
• Does bullying in boarding schools in Scotland increase the likelihood of domestic violence within a 20-year timeframe?
• Does breastfeeding among toddlers in urban United States decrease their chances of obesity as pre-schoolers?
• Does the increase in the intake of antidepressants among urban women aged 30 years and older affect their maternal health?
• Does forming work groups to discuss domestic violence among the rural population of the United States reduce stress and depression among women?
• Does the increased use of mosquito nets in Uganda help in reducing malaria cases among infants?
• Can colon cancer be more effectively detected when colonoscopy is supported by an occult blood test compared to colonoscopy alone?
• Does regular usage of low-dose aspirin effectively reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke for women above the age of 80 years?
• Is yoga an effective medical therapy for reducing lymphedema in patients recovering from neck cancer?
• Does daily blood pressure monitoring help in addressing the triggers of hypertension among males over 65 years?
• Does a regular 30-minute exercise regimen effectively reduce the risk of heart disease in adults over 65 years?
• Does prolonged exposure to chemotherapy increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases among teenagers suffering from cancer?
• Does breastfeeding among toddlers in the urban United States decrease their chances of obesity as pre-schoolers?
• Are first-time mothers giving birth to premature babies more prone to postpartum depression compared to second or third-time mothers in the same condition?
• For women under the age of 50 years, is a yearly mammogram more effective in preventing breast cancer compared to a mammogram done every 3 years?
• After being diagnosed with blood sugar levels, is a four-times-a-day blood glucose monitoring process more effective in controlling the onset of Type 1 diabetes?

Related: How to write an abstract poster presentation.

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PICOT Question Examples and 100 Useful PICO questions for Nursing Research

In all nursing levels (BSN, MSN, or DNP), you must begin your research queries using an evidence-based practice framework developed from a well-constructed PICOT question. Here we’ll show you how to formulate a PICO Question and provide some elaborative PICOT Question Examples for DNP, NP, and BSN Students.

Here's What You'll Learn

What is a PICOT Question for Nursing Research

The word PICOT is a mnemonic derived from the elements of a clinical research question – patient, intervention, comparison, outcome, and (sometimes) time.

A PICOT question in nursing is a structured approach to formulating a clinical research question. It’s an essential tool in evidence-based practice and nursing research. Here’s a comprehensive explanation:

Definition: PICOT is an acronym that stands for:

• P: Patient, Population, or Problem
• I: Intervention or Issue of interest
• C: Comparison intervention or group
• O: Outcome you would like to measure or achieve
• T: Time frame of the intervention (sometimes included)

Each element helps refine the question, ensuring it’s specific and relevant to clinical practice. For instance, a PICOT question might ask: “In adult patients with type 2 diabetes, how does a daily walking regimen compared to standard care affect HbA1c levels over 6 months?”

The PICOT process begins with a case scenario , and the question is phrased to elicit an answer. This crucial step helps in developing a careful and thoughtful question that makes the search for evidence easier.

By using the PICOT process, healthcare professionals can streamline their research and identify the most appropriate type of study to answer their questions.

It’s worth noting the distinction between PICO and PICOT. PICO (Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) is the original format, widely used in evidence-based practice. PICOT adds the element of Time, which can be crucial in certain research questions. The addition of the time element can help in assessing the duration of an intervention’s effect or in specifying a timeframe for outcome measurement.

Whether using PICO or PICOT depends on the nature of the research question. Some questions naturally include a time element, while for others, it may not be relevant. Both formats serve the same fundamental purpose: to create well-defined, answerable questions that guide effective research and support evidence-based nursing practice.

How to Format a PICOT question for Nursing Research

The PICOT process generally begins with a vague clinical query. Each element of the process helps develop a well-structured question. Once established, researchers can search for evidence that will help answer the inquiry.

The elements of a PICOT question are crucial in formulating a specific and precise inquiry. To ensure clarity and effectiveness, it is essential to consider the following components:

• P (Patient, population, or problem): This element focuses on identifying the specific patient, population, or problem under investigation. By clearly defining the target group, including relevant demographics and features, the researcher can narrow down the scope of the inquiry.
• I (Intervention): The intervention refers to the action or treatment being considered. It is vital to outline the specific intervention, such as diagnostic tests, therapies, or nursing interventions, to accurately address the research question.
• C (Comparison or control): Considering alternative strategies or controls against which the intervention will be compared is a critical aspect of a PICOT question. By including this element, researchers can assess the effectiveness of different approaches and determine the best course of action.
• O (Outcome or objective): The desired or expected outcome or objective of the intervention should be clearly defined. By identifying the intended result, researchers can focus on measuring the impact of the intervention accurately.
• T (Time frame): The timeframe allocated for implementing the intervention is another essential element of a PICOT question. Researchers need to specify the duration within which the desired outcome is expected to be achieved, allowing for a more precise assessment of the intervention’s effectiveness.

By diligently considering each component of the PICOT question, researchers can develop a carefully constructed query that guides their search for evidence.

The meticulousness involved in the formulation process ensures that the inquiry is specific, precise, and tailored to the research objectives. This approach, endorsed by the University of Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine , enriches the research process and facilitates the identification of relevant and reliable evidence to support nursing practice.

Example: PICO(T) Question and Search Strategy

Does the bariatric adolescent patient undergoing gastric bypass have better continuity of care perioperatively and postoperatively when the nurse is a primary member of the multidisciplinary team versus when the nurse is a secondary member whose only role is in providing perioperative care and has no specialized training?

Read this Detailed Guide on MSN Capstone Project Ideas – 2024

PICO and PICOT Question Examples for Nursing

30 nursing pico questions examples.

• In elderly patients with hypertension (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect blood pressure levels (O)?
• For postoperative patients (P), is music therapy (I) more effective than standard care (C) in reducing anxiety levels (O)?
• In pediatric patients with asthma (P), does the use of spacers with inhalers (I) compared to inhalers alone (C) improve medication delivery and symptom control (O)?
• For ICU patients (P), does early mobilization (I) versus standard care (C) reduce the length of hospital stay (O)?
• In diabetic patients (P), how does continuous glucose monitoring (I) compared to traditional finger-prick testing (C) affect HbA1c levels (O)?
• For patients with chronic pain (P), is acupuncture (I) more effective than pharmacological treatment (C) in pain management (O)?
• In pregnant women (P), does prenatal yoga (I) compared to standard prenatal exercise (C) reduce the risk of gestational diabetes (O)?
• For patients with COPD (P), does pulmonary rehabilitation (I) versus medication alone (C) improve quality of life (O)?
• In stroke patients (P), is constraint-induced movement therapy (I) more effective than conventional physiotherapy (C) in improving upper limb function (O)?
• For patients with depression (P), does cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to medication (C) lead to better long-term outcomes (O)?
• In surgical patients (P), does pre-operative fasting (I) versus carbohydrate loading (C) affect post-operative recovery time (O)?
• For patients with heart failure (P), does telemonitoring (I) compared to regular clinic visits (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O)?
• In patients with sleep apnea (P), is CPAP therapy (I) more effective than lifestyle modifications (C) in improving sleep quality (O)?
• For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (P), does ginger supplementation (I) versus placebo (C) reduce nausea and vomiting (O)?
• In elderly patients (P), does a tailored exercise program (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce the risk of falls (O)?
• For patients with urinary incontinence (P), are pelvic floor exercises (I) more effective than medication (C) in reducing symptoms (O)?
• In ICU patients on mechanical ventilation (P), does daily sedation interruption (I) versus continuous sedation (C) shorten ventilator days (O)?
• For patients with chronic wounds (P), is negative pressure wound therapy (I) more effective than standard dressings (C) in promoting wound healing (O)?
• In patients with osteoarthritis (P), does aquatic therapy (I) compared to land-based exercise (C) improve joint mobility and pain relief (O)?
• For patients with eating disorders (P), is family-based therapy (I) more effective than individual therapy (C) in achieving weight restoration (O)?
• In patients with coronary artery disease (P), does a plant-based diet (I) compared to a standard cardiac diet (C) reduce the risk of cardiac events (O)?
• For patients with fibromyalgia (P), is tai chi (I) more effective than aerobic exercise (C) in managing pain and improving quality of life (O)?
• In premature infants (P), does kangaroo care (I) compared to standard incubator care (C) improve weight gain and bonding (O)?
• For patients with dementia (P), does reminiscence therapy (I) versus standard care (C) improve cognitive function and mood (O)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-protein diet (I) compared to a standard diet (C) slow the progression of renal failure (O)?
• For patients with migraine (P), is botulinum toxin injection (I) more effective than oral preventive medication (C) in reducing headache frequency (O)?
• In patients with burns (P), does early excision and grafting (I) compared to conservative management (C) improve healing time and outcomes (O)?
• For patients with PTSD (P), is EMDR therapy (I) more effective than cognitive processing therapy (C) in reducing symptom severity (O)?
• In patients with venous leg ulcers (P), does compression therapy (I) compared to standard wound care (C) accelerate healing (O)?
• For patients with substance use disorders (P), is motivational interviewing (I) more effective than traditional counseling (C) in maintaining abstinence (O)?

20 Nursing PICOT Questions

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a low-carbohydrate diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect HbA1c levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For postpartum women (P), does early skin-to-skin contact (I) compared to standard care (C) improve breastfeeding rates (O) in the first 3 months after birth (T)?
• In elderly patients with dementia (P), how does aromatherapy (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect agitation levels (O) over a 4-week period (T)?
• For adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery (P), does the implementation of an ERAS protocol (I) versus standard care (C) reduce length of hospital stay (O) within the first 30 days post-surgery (T)?
• In pediatric patients with asthma (P), how does a school-based education program (I) compared to standard clinic education (C) affect emergency department visits (O) over one academic year (T)?
• For adult patients with chronic low back pain (P), is yoga therapy (I) more effective than physical therapy (C) in reducing pain intensity (O) after 12 weeks of intervention (T)?
• In ICU patients on mechanical ventilation (P), how does early mobilization (I) compared to standard care (C) affect the duration of mechanical ventilation (O) during the ICU stay (T)?
• For pregnant women with gestational diabetes (P), does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a standard diabetic diet (C) affect the need for insulin therapy (O) throughout pregnancy (T)?
• In adult patients with depression (P), how does bright light therapy (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) affect depressive symptoms (O) over a 6-week treatment period (T)?
• For patients undergoing cardiac surgery (P), does preoperative breathing exercises (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (O) within the first 7 days after surgery (T)?
• In adult patients with insomnia (P), how does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (I) compared to sleep medication (C) affect sleep quality (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For oncology patients receiving chemotherapy (P), does the use of cryotherapy gloves and socks (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce the incidence of peripheral neuropathy (O) during the first 6 cycles of treatment (T)?
• In adult patients with COPD (P), how does a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program (I) compared to hospital-based rehabilitation (C) affect exercise capacity (O) after 12 weeks of intervention (T)?
• For adult patients with obesity (P), does intermittent fasting (I) compared to calorie restriction (C) affect weight loss (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with heart failure (P), how does a nurse-led telephone follow-up (I) compared to usual care (C) affect hospital readmission rates (O) within 30 days of discharge (T)?
• For adult patients with chronic wounds (P), does the use of honey-based dressings (I) compared to silver-based dressings (C) affect wound healing time (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with hypertension (P), how does a DASH diet intervention (I) compared to standard dietary advice (C) affect blood pressure levels (O) after 3 months (T)?
• For adult patients undergoing elective surgery (P), does prehabilitation (I) compared to standard preoperative care (C) affect postoperative complications (O) within the first 30 days after surgery (T)?
• In adult patients with osteoarthritis (P), how does a high-intensity interval training program (I) compared to low-intensity continuous exercise (C) affect pain and function (O) over a 12-week intervention period (T)?
• For adult patients with anxiety disorders (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to pharmacological treatment (C) affect anxiety symptoms (O) after 8 weeks of intervention (T)?

30 PICOT Questions Examples

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a plant-based diet (I) compared to a standard diabetic diet (C) affect HbA1c levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For postoperative patients (P), does early ambulation (I) versus bed rest (C) reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (O) within the first week after surgery (T)?
• In children with ADHD (P), how does a mindfulness-based intervention (I) compared to standard behavioral therapy (C) affect attention span and hyperactivity (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For adults with chronic insomnia (P), is cognitive behavioral therapy (I) more effective than sleep medication (C) in improving sleep quality (O) after 8 weeks of treatment (T)?
• In elderly patients with dementia (P), how does music therapy (I) compared to standard care (C) affect agitation levels (O) over a 4-week intervention period (T)?
• For pregnant women with morning sickness (P), does acupressure wristbands (I) versus placebo bands (C) reduce the frequency of nausea and vomiting (O) during the first trimester (T)?
• In adult patients with depression (P), how does exercise therapy (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) affect depressive symptoms (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic low back pain (P), is yoga therapy (I) more effective than physical therapy (C) in reducing pain intensity (O) after 3 months of intervention (T)?
• In adult patients with hypertension (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect blood pressure levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For ICU patients on mechanical ventilation (P), does daily interruption of sedation (I) versus continuous sedation (C) reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation (O) during the ICU stay (T)?
• In children with asthma (P), how does a school-based education program (I) compared to standard clinic education (C) affect emergency department visits (O) over one academic year (T)?
• For adult patients undergoing chemotherapy (P), does the use of ginger supplements (I) versus placebo (C) reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting (O) during the first 5 days of each chemotherapy cycle (T)?
• In adult patients with obesity (P), how does intermittent fasting (I) compared to calorie restriction (C) affect weight loss (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For patients with chronic wounds (P), is negative pressure wound therapy (I) more effective than standard dressings (C) in promoting wound healing (O) over an 8-week period (T)?
• In adult patients with COPD (P), how does a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program (I) compared to outpatient rehabilitation (C) affect exercise capacity (O) after 12 weeks of intervention (T)?
• For adult patients with fibromyalgia (P), does acupuncture (I) versus sham acupuncture (C) reduce pain intensity (O) over a 6-week treatment period (T)?
• In postpartum women (P), how does early skin-to-skin contact (I) compared to standard care (C) affect breastfeeding rates (O) in the first 6 weeks after birth (T)?
• For adult patients with osteoarthritis (P), is aquatic therapy (I) more effective than land-based exercise (C) in improving joint mobility and pain relief (O) after 8 weeks of intervention (T)?
• In adult patients with heart failure (P), how does a nurse-led home visit program (I) compared to telephone follow-up (C) affect hospital readmission rates (O) within 30 days of discharge (T)?
• For adult patients with generalized anxiety disorder (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) versus cognitive-behavioral therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms (O) over a 12-week intervention period (T)?
• In adult patients with sleep apnea (P), how does positional therapy (I) compared to CPAP (C) affect the apnea-hypopnea index (O) over a 4-week period (T)?
• For patients undergoing total knee replacement (P), does prehabilitation (I) versus standard preoperative care (C) improve functional outcomes (O) 3 months post-surgery (T)?
• In adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome (P), how does a low FODMAP diet (I) compared to a standard IBS diet (C) affect symptom severity (O) over a 6-week period (T)?
• For adult patients with major depressive disorder (P), is transcranial magnetic stimulation (I) more effective than antidepressant medication (C) in achieving remission (O) after 6 weeks of treatment (T)?
• In adult patients with chronic migraine (P), how does botulinum toxin injections (I) compared to oral preventive medication (C) affect the frequency of migraine days (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with peripheral arterial disease (P), does a supervised exercise program (I) versus home-based exercise (C) improve walking distance (O) after 12 weeks of intervention (T)?
• In adult patients with plantar fasciitis (P), how does extracorporeal shock wave therapy (I) compared to corticosteroid injections (C) affect pain levels (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with atrial fibrillation (P), does yoga therapy (I) versus standard medical care (C) affect the frequency of symptomatic episodes (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect liver enzyme levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-protein diet (I) versus a standard renal diet (C) slow the progression of renal failure (O) over a 12-month period (T)?

30 PICO Questions for Nursing Examples

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a Mediterranean diet (I) compared to a standard diabetic diet (C) affect HbA1c levels (O)?

Cardiac PICO Question Examples

• In patients with acute myocardial infarction (P), does early mobilization (I) compared to prolonged bed rest (C) reduce the length of hospital stay (O)?
• For patients with heart failure (P), is a low-sodium diet (I) more effective than fluid restriction (C) in reducing hospital readmissions (O)?
• In patients with atrial fibrillation (P), does catheter ablation (I) compared to antiarrhythmic drugs (C) improve quality of life (O)?
• For patients undergoing cardiac surgery (P), does preoperative statin therapy (I) versus standard care (C) reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (O)?
• In patients with stable angina (P), is a Mediterranean diet (I) more effective than a low-fat diet (C) in reducing cardiovascular events (O)?

Labor and Delivery PICO Question Examples

• In nulliparous women (P), does walking during early labor (I) compared to bed rest (C) shorten the duration of active labor (O)?
• For women undergoing induction of labor (P), is the use of a Foley catheter (I) more effective than prostaglandin gel (C) in achieving successful vaginal delivery (O)?
• In women with gestational diabetes (P), does continuous glucose monitoring (I) compared to intermittent glucose checks (C) improve neonatal outcomes (O)?
• For women with preeclampsia (P), is magnesium sulfate (I) more effective than other anticonvulsants (C) in preventing eclampsia (O)?
• In women with previous cesarean section (P), does a trial of labor (I) compared to elective repeat cesarean (C) affect maternal satisfaction and outcomes (O)?

PICOT Question Examples for Nursing Mental Health

• In adult patients with major depressive disorder (P), how does cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to pharmacotherapy (C) affect depressive symptoms (O) over a 12-week period (T)?
• For adolescents with anxiety disorders (P), is mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy (C) in reducing anxiety symptoms (O) after 8 weeks of intervention (T)?
• In elderly patients with dementia (P), how does reminiscence therapy (I) compared to standard care (C) affect cognitive function and quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with bipolar disorder (P), does interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (I) versus medication alone (C) reduce the frequency of manic/depressive episodes (O) over a 1-year period (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), how does cognitive remediation therapy (I) compared to standard care (C) affect cognitive functioning and social skills (O) after 16 weeks of treatment (T)?

Nursing Intervention PICO Question Examples

• In patients with pressure ulcers (P), does the use of alternating pressure mattresses (I) compared to standard hospital mattresses (C) accelerate wound healing (O)?
• For postoperative patients (P), is early enteral feeding (I) more effective than traditional delayed feeding (C) in reducing the risk of complications (O)?
• In patients with urinary tract infections (P), does cranberry juice supplementation (I) compared to water intake (C) reduce the recurrence of infections (O)?
• For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does a nurse-led education program (I) versus standard care (C) improve self-management skills and quality of life (O)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does motivational interviewing (I) compared to standard education (C) improve adherence to self-care behaviors (O)?

10 DNP PICOT Question Examples

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), how does a nurse-led telehealth intervention (I) compared to standard outpatient care (C) affect HbA1c levels (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For hospitalized elderly patients (P), does the implementation of a fall prevention protocol (I) versus standard care (C) reduce the incidence of falls (O) during the hospital stay (T)?
• In primary care settings (P), how does the integration of mental health screening (I) compared to usual care (C) affect the early detection and treatment of depression (O) over a 12-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic heart failure (P), does a nurse-led home-based exercise program (I) versus usual care (C) improve exercise capacity and quality of life (O) after 3 months of intervention (T)?
• In rural communities (P), how does the implementation of a mobile health clinic (I) compared to traditional clinic-based care (C) affect access to preventive services (O) over a 1-year period (T)?
• For adult patients with hypertension (P), does a nurse-led lifestyle modification program (I) versus medication alone (C) affect blood pressure control (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In pediatric asthma patients (P), how does a school-based asthma education program (I) compared to standard clinic education (C) affect emergency department visits and hospitalizations (O) over one academic year (T)?
• For postpartum women (P), does a nurse-led breastfeeding support intervention (I) versus standard care (C) affect exclusive breastfeeding rates (O) at 3 months postpartum (T)?
• In adult patients with obesity (P), how does a nurse-led behavioral weight management program (I) compared to self-directed weight loss (C) affect weight loss and maintenance (O) over a 12-month period (T)?
• For patients with chronic pain (P), does the implementation of a nurse-led pain management program (I) versus standard pain management (C) affect pain intensity and quality of life (O) over a 6-month period (T)?

10 Evidence Based Practice PICOT Question Examples

• For hospitalized patients at risk of pressure ulcers (P), does the use of a silicone foam dressing (I) versus standard care (C) reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers (O) during the hospital stay (T)?
• In adult patients with chronic low back pain (P), how does yoga therapy (I) compared to physical therapy (C) affect pain intensity and functional ability (O) after 12 weeks of intervention (T)?
• For adult patients with insomnia (P), does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (I) versus sleep medication (C) improve sleep quality (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• In adult patients with heart failure (P), how does a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program (I) compared to center-based rehabilitation (C) affect exercise capacity and quality of life (O) after 12 weeks of intervention (T)?
• For adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery (P), does the implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol (I) versus standard care (C) reduce length of hospital stay (O) within 30 days post-surgery (T)?
• In adult patients with depression (P), how does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) affect relapse rates (O) over a 1-year follow-up period (T)?
• For adult patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (P), does a high-intensity exercise program (I) versus low-intensity exercise (C) improve pain and function (O) after 8 weeks of intervention (T)?
• In adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P), how does a self-management education program (I) compared to usual care (C) affect hospital readmission rates (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• For adult patients with venous leg ulcers (P), does the use of compression stockings (I) versus compression bandages (C) affect healing time (O) over a 12-week period (T)?

10 PICOT Question Topics

• The effect of telemedicine on diabetes management in rural populations
• Impact of nurse-led education programs on medication adherence in elderly patients
• Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for stress reduction in healthcare workers
• Comparison of different pain management techniques in postoperative patients
• Influence of early mobilization on recovery time in ICU patients
• Effects of probiotics on the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• Impact of family-centered care on outcomes in pediatric oncology patients
• Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in adults with chronic pain
• Comparison of different wound dressing techniques in promoting healing of diabetic foot ulcers
• Impact of nutritional interventions on fall risk in elderly nursing home residents

MSN PICOT Questions formulated for different structures

Pico(t) model & question types.

Use this table to understand how to ask different types of PICOT questions.

• Therapy PICOT Question Example, a non-intervention example: What is the duration of recovery (O) for patients with total hip replacement (P) who developed a post-operative infection (I) as opposed to those who did not (C) within the first six weeks of recovery (T)?
• Aetiology PICOT Question Examples: Are kids (P) who have obese adoptive parents (I) at Increased risk for obesity (O) compared with kids (P) without obese adoptive parents (C) during the ages of five and 18 (T).
• Diagnostic PICOT Question Example: Is a PKU test (I) done on two-week-old infants (P) more accurate in diagnosing inborn errors in metabolism (O) compared with PKU tests done at 24 hours of age (C)? Time is implied in two weeks and 24 hours old.
• Meaning PICOT Question Example: (picot question examples nursing) How do pregnant women (P) newly diagnosed with diabetes (I) perceive reporting their blood sugar levels (O) to their healthcare providers during their pregnancy and six weeks postpartum (T)?

PICOT Question Examples for Pediatric Nursing

• In children with acute asthma exacerbations (P), how does the use of metered-dose inhalers with spacers (I) compared to nebulizers (C) affect the rate of hospital admissions (O) within 24 hours of emergency department visit (T)?
• For obese adolescents (P), does a school-based nutrition and exercise program (I) versus standard health education (C) affect BMI (O) over a 6-month period (T)?
• In neonates with jaundice (P), how does home phototherapy (I) compared to hospital-based phototherapy (C) affect bilirubin levels (O) within the first week of treatment (T)?
• For children with type 1 diabetes (P), does continuous glucose monitoring (I) versus traditional finger-stick monitoring (C) improve HbA1c levels (O) over a 3-month period (T)?

PICOT Question Examples for Nursing Burnout

• In hospital staff nurses (P), how does the implementation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (I) compared to no intervention (C) affect burnout scores (O) over a 3-month period (T)?
• For new graduate nurses (P), does participation in a structured mentorship program (I) versus standard orientation (C) influence job satisfaction and retention rates (O) after one year of employment (T)?
• In intensive care unit nurses (P), how does the introduction of flexible scheduling (I) compared to traditional fixed scheduling (C) affect reported stress levels and work-life balance (O) over a 6-month period (T)?

10 BSN PICOT Question Examples for EBP Capstone Projects

Here are 10 BSN Nursing PICOT questions perfect for your BSN Nursing Capstone Projects

• In adult patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does regular exercise (I) compared to standard care (C) result in better glycemic control (O) over a period of 6 months (T)?
• In elderly patients with chronic pain (P), does acupuncture (I) compared to pharmacological interventions (C) lead to reduced pain intensity (O) within 4 weeks (T)?
• In pregnant women with gestational hypertension (P), does magnesium sulfate administration (I) compared to standard treatment (C) reduce the risk of eclampsia (O) during labor and delivery (T)?
• In children with asthma (P), does regular use of inhaled corticosteroids (I) compared to as-needed use (C) result in fewer acute exacerbations (O) within 1 year (T)?
• In patients undergoing cardiac surgery (P), does early ambulation (I) compared to bedrest (C) decrease the incidence of postoperative complications (O) within the first week (T)?
• In cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (P), does the use of antiemetic drugs (I) compared to placebo (C) prevent nausea and vomiting (O) during treatment (T)?
• In older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (P), does cognitive stimulation therapy (I) compared to usual care (C) improve cognitive function (O) over a period of 3 months (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does the use of nipple shields (I) compared to latch techniques alone (C) increase exclusive breastfeeding rates (O) within 2 weeks (T)?
• In critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation (P), does daily oral care with chlorhexidine (I) compared to saline solution (C) reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does dietary restriction of phosphorus (I) compared to unrestricted intake (C) slow the progression of renal dysfunction (O) over a period of 6 months (T)?

Frequently Asked Questions about NURSING PICOT Question Ideas

1. what is a picot question in nursing research.

A PICOT question is a specific type of clinical research question that is structured to guide the search for evidence and the development of appropriate interventions. PICOT stands for Population , Intervention , Comparison , Outcome , and Timeframe .

2. How can I develop a research question using the PICOT framework?

Start by identifying the Population you are interested in, the Intervention or treatment being considered, the Comparison, Outcome you hope to achieve, and the Timeframe within which you expect to see results.

3. Why is formulating a PICOT question important in evidence-based practice?

Formulating a clear PICOT question is crucial in evidence-based practice as it helps focus the search for relevant evidence, guides the decision-making process, and ensures that interventions are based on best available evidence.

4. Can a PICOT question help in diagnosing patients?

While a PICOT question is primarily used to guide research and evidence-based practice, it can indirectly contribute to improved diagnoses by promoting the use of appropriate interventions and treatments supported by evidence.

5. What are some examples of PICOT questions in nursing research?

Examples of PICOT questions could include inquiries about the effectiveness of specific nursing interventions for managing hypertension in cancer patients , or the impact of blood pressure monitoring on patient care outcomes.

6. How can nursing students effectively use the PICOT framework in their studies?

Nursing students can use the PICOT framework to develop focused research questions related to nursing practice , identify gaps in knowledge, and integrate evidence-based approaches into their academic and clinical work.

7. Where can I find resources to help me formulate a PICOT question?

You can explore libguides or research guides provided by

• University Libraries: Many university libraries offer specialized LibGuides or research guides for nursing research. These guides often include sections on developing PICOT questions.
• PubMed Health: This resource provides tutorials and examples on formulating clinical questions, including the PICOT format.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): They offer resources on evidence-based practice that can guide you in developing PICOT questions.
• Nursing journals: Journals like “Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing” or “Journal of Advanced Nursing” often publish articles on research methodology, including PICOT question development.
• Evidence-Based Nursing textbooks: Books like “Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare” by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt often have sections dedicated to formulating clinical questions.
• Online nursing research courses: Platforms like Coursera or edX sometimes offer courses on nursing research that cover PICOT question development.
• Professional nursing organizations: Websites like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing often provide research resources.
• Research methodology workshops: Many universities and nursing conferences offer workshops on research methodology, including PICOT question formulation.

EBSCO Health, “7 Steps to The Perfect Pico Search” University of Oxford, “Asking Focused Questions”

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