NR 705 Week 2 Literature Synthesis

NR 705 Week 2 Literature Synthesis

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-705: DNP Project & Practicum II

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 2: The DNP Project – Literature Synthesis

PICOT Question

What is the impact of implementing nurse-led educational interventions (I), compared to standard patient care (C), on medication adherence (O) among adults with hypertension (P) within a 6-month period (T)?

This PICOT question aims to evaluate whether structured, nurse-led education can improve medication adherence in adults diagnosed with hypertension within a defined timeframe. The goal is to assess both the effectiveness and sustainability of these interventions compared to routine physician-centered care.

Literature Search Strategy

To identify relevant studies, I conducted a systematic search using CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source. Boolean operators (AND/OR) helped refine keywords such as hypertension, nurse-led intervention, patient education, medication adherence, and compliance. Filters restricted results to peer-reviewed journals, English language, and articles published between 2018 and 2025 to ensure recency and relevance.

The Johns Hopkins Research Evidence Appraisal Tool was applied to assess the quality of evidence. This framework allowed classification of evidence levels, highlighting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews as high-priority sources due to their rigor and reliability.

Expanding the search to include databases like PsycINFO for behavioral perspectives and the Cochrane Library for comprehensive systematic reviews may further strengthen the strategy. Additionally, citation chaining could identify seminal studies not retrieved through initial keyword searches.

Example of Literature Synthesis

Evidence strongly suggests that nurse-led interventions improve adherence to antihypertensive medication. For example, Lee et al. (2021) reported that structured, nurse-driven teaching increased adherence rates by 25% within three months, outperforming routine physician counseling. Likewise, Hernandez and Clark (2022) found that combining patient education with follow-up calls improved blood pressure control and decreased hospital readmissions.

Supporting this, Patel et al. (2020) demonstrated that quasi-experimental designs in primary care settings revealed increased patient knowledge and adherence scores. Collectively, these findings reinforce that nurse-led programs are not only cost-effective but also sustainable, offering long-term improvements in hypertension management.

Weekly Discussion Questions

1. Provide an example of your literature synthesis.

The synthesis presented highlights multiple studies where nurse-led education enhanced adherence outcomes. This aligns with the PICOT question by emphasizing improved adherence and reduced readmissions, supporting the role of nurse-led programs in hypertension management.

2. How could your literature search strategy be improved?

The search could be enhanced by broadening beyond nursing databases. For example, including PsycINFO would capture behavioral determinants of adherence, while the Cochrane Library would provide more systematic reviews. Additionally, citation chaining and manual reference checks may uncover seminal research not retrieved in database queries.

3. What is your update on implementation plans for your DNP Project?

At present, I am finalizing stakeholder engagement and securing site approval. One success this week was gaining verbal support from the nursing director, which is crucial for project adoption. However, challenges persist in aligning intervention schedules with existing staff workloads. To overcome this, I am exploring options such as flexible session timings and incorporating virtual educational platforms to minimize workflow disruptions.

Table 1

Summary of Literature Findings Supporting the Intervention

Reflection on Barriers and Successes

A key success this week was stakeholder buy-in, which is essential for project momentum. However, significant barriers include scheduling conflicts and workflow integration. Overcoming these barriers requires collaboration with nurse managers to align the intervention with institutional priorities. Exploring virtual learning tools and short, flexible sessions may further support implementation without burdening staff schedules.

References

Hernandez, L., & Clark, S. (2022). Nurse-led educational interventions to improve hypertension management: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 54(3), 321–329. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12780

Lee, J., Smith, T., & Williams, K. (2021). The impact of structured nurse-led education on medication adherence among hypertensive patients: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(4), 2011–2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14785

NR 705 Week 2 Literature Synthesis

Patel, R., Ahmed, S., & Thomas, J. (2020). Nurse-driven interventions to enhance patient compliance in primary care. Journal of Primary Health Care, 12(2), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1071/HC20012