Answer

One of the major pillars of evidence-based practice (EBP) is the identification of a researchable problem using questions. EBP questions should have their core focus on the issues and problems existing in the practical real world (Davies, 2011). The identification of the answerable question in EBP presents various challenges. However, the use of the PICO framework can lead to the breaking down of clinical questions into searchable keywords. This paper provides a discussion of the main area of interests as well as questions generated and 10 possible words which were used in the literature search.

Summary of Area of Interest

                The selected area of interest is that of pregnant women. Notably, expectant mothers are very delicate considering the various challenges and issues that they face in the course of their pregnancy. Failure to address the issues that they face can endanger not only the life of the unborn child but that of the mother (Bramham et al., 2014). One of the issues that they face is that of high blood pressure. In specific, the problem of high blood pressure arises from some of the conditions such as obesity and being overweight, carrying more than one child, use of assistive reproductive technology, and failure to get enough physical activity (Magee et al., 2014). Additionally, expectant women who lead unhealthy lifestyles may be susceptible to high blood pressure during pregnancy.

                The significance of getting the best intervention which can address high blood pressure in pregnant women is based on the adverse impacts which arise if the condition is not addressed.  One of the complications which can arise is preeclampsia. Additionally, according to Bramham et al. (2014), women with HBP can experience seizures and abnormal sweating in hands and face as well as persistent headaches. Additionally, HBP can lead to hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. Moreover, HBP can also have an effect on the growth rate of the baby. In specific, HBP can lead to low birth weight, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, and preterm delivery (Magee et al., 2014). As such, addressing HBP in pregnant women is vital in ensuring the health, wellbeing, and safety of the expectant mothers and the fetus.

5 Questions Generated

1. What are the causes of high blood pressure in pregnant women?
2. What are the most effective interventions for the management of high blood pressure in pregnant women?
3. What is the effectiveness of physical exercise in the management of high blood pressure in pregnant women?
4. How effective are pharmacological interventions towards the management of high blood pressure in pregnant women?
5. What are the outcomes associated with physical exercise for pregnant women with high blood pressure?

In the assessment of the feasibility of the research questions, various criteria were used. One of those was the relevance of the questions to the topic of interests. Additionally, the feasibility was evaluated based on whether the questions have been scientifically studied. In specific, questions previously studied scientifically implies that they are interesting to the scientific community.

                PICOT question: For pregnant women (P) in community settings, is the use of physical exercise (I) more effective than labetalol and methyldopa medications (C) in the reduction of high blood pressure incidences (O) over a one-year period (T)?

10 Possible Keywords for Literature Search

1. High blood pressure
2. High blood pressure in pregnant women
3. Causes of High blood pressure
4. Causes of High blood pressure in expectant women
5. Physical exercise and HBP in pregnant women
6. The effectiveness of physical exercise in managing HBP
7. Reducing high blood pressure in expectant women
8. Effects of labetalol and methyldopa medications in reducing high blood pressure
9. Physical exercise vs. medications in the management of high blood pressure
10. Physical exercise vs. labetalol and methyldopa medications in managing high blood pressure in expectant women

In the selection of the above keywords and phrases used in conducting a literature search for my PICOT question, the rationale was based on their ability to bring out quality articles which could provide information about the area of interest. For instance, the question on the causes of HBP in pregnant women enabled me to understand the specific issues which are responsible for HBP. As such, the other question on the strategies for reduction of HBP ensured that the various interventions which have been used in the management of the condition are obtained from the literature. Moreover, a comparison of physical exercise and medications ensured that the positive and adverse effects of the two interventions were established and compared.

In conclusion, the use of PICOT framework can lead to the breaking down of clinical question into researchable keywords. The issue being addressed is that of high blood pressure in expectant mothers. Addressing this problem is vital because HBP threatens the health and life of the pregnant women and unborn babies. Effectively addressing HBP is thus vital in safeguarding the health and safety of both the expectant mother and the fetus. The PICOT used has presented pregnant mothers as the population, physical exercise as the intervention, and pharmacological interventions as the comparison. However, the outcomes expected are reduced incidences of HBP whereas the time is one year.

References

Bramham, K., Parnell, B., Nelson-Piercy, C., Seed, P. T., Poston, L., & Chappell, L. C. (2014). Chronic hypertension and pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 348, g2301.

Davies, K. S. (2011). Formulating the evidence-based practice question: a review of the frameworks. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 6(2), 75-80.

Magee, L. A., Pels, A., Helewa, M., Rey, E., von Dadelszen, P., Audibert, F., … & Firoz, T. (2014). Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: executive summary. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 36(5), 416-438.