A nurse wants to change a patient procedure. Which action will the nurse take to easily find research evidence to support this change?

A) Read all the articles found on the Internet.
B) Make a general search of the Internet.
C) Use a PICOT format for the search.
D) Start with a broad question.

The more focused the question is, the easier it becomes to search for evidence in the scientific literature. The PICO format allows the nurse to ask focused questions that are intervention based. Inappropriately formed questions (general search or broad question) will likely lead to irrelevant sources of information. It is not beneficial to read hundreds of articles. It is more beneficial to read the best four to six articles that specifically address the question.