You have been asked to formulate a research question using the PICO format. Which one of the following is correct?

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

The PICO format is a structured approach to formulating clinical questions for evidence-based practice.
In this framework, 'C' correctly stands for Comparison or Control.
The Comparison component serves as a benchmark against which the main intervention is evaluated.
This allows for a direct assessment of whether the new intervention is more effective, less effective, or has a similar effect to the standard or alternative approach.

Option A: In the PICO mnemonic, 'P' stands for Patient, Population, or Problem. It identifies the specific group of individuals the research question is focused on.
Option B: 'I' stands for Intervention, which is the specific treatment, test, or exposure being studied.
Option D: 'O' stands for Outcome, which is the measurable result or consequence of the intervention.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain PICO format for research questions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use the PICO format to translate clinical uncertainty into answerable questions. This is the first and most critical step in evidence-based practice (EBP), enabling them to find the best available research to guide patient care.
Mastering PICO helps nurses efficiently search databases like CINAHL and PubMed, saving time and yielding more relevant, high-quality evidence for clinical decision-making.
A well-formed PICO question directly impacts patient safety and quality of care by ensuring that clinical practices are based on solid evidence rather than tradition or anecdote.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the meaning of the letters in the 'PICO' acronym.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about evidence-based practice and research methodologies.
Systematically evaluate each option by recalling the definition for each letter in PICO.
P = Patient/Population, I = Intervention, C = Comparison, O = Outcome.
Compare your recalled definitions with the given options to find the one that matches correctly.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 75-77

E6 NursingResearch Polit 11e Part 1 p. 48-50

Practise the full GMCH - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.