What is a Theory-practice gap?

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NSGCB/416 Competency 3 Assessment

This week’s Competency 3 Assessment consists of one written part, totaling 700 words. In this assignment, you’ll review a Critical Thinking Case Study to develop a plan to address nursing theory gaps identified in the case study. You’ll format your assumptions and findings of the theory-research-practice gap as a concept map.

Critical Thinking Case Study

Read the following case study:

You are a staff nurse working in an intensive care unit and assigned to care for a 75-year-old African American man who had coronary artery bypass graft surgery four days ago. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbated by heavy smoking. His postoperative course has been difficult, and he has suffered several setbacks. Staff members, despite their diligent efforts, have not been able to wean him off the ventilator since the surgery. He has required frequent suctioning throughout the shift, and he is being evaluated for the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Today, when returning from lunch, you observed that an experienced nurse was suctioning your patient. His secretions were thick, and you observed that the nurse was instilling saline into the patient’s endotracheal tube as she was suctioning him. The patient turned red and began coughing, and it was obvious he was in distress.

Key elements of Competency 3 Assessment based on the Case Study:

Identify a nursing theory to align with the nursing plan of care to improve this patient’s outcome.

Define the theory-practice gap and describe what impact this potential gap can have on nursing practice and patient care. Identify supporting research and the current practice guidelines.

Develop a nursing plan of care (identifying the elements of the nursing process) to address nursing theory gaps in this scenario, including how theory, research, and practice interact to create positive patient outcomes.

Format your assumptions and findings of the theory-practice gap in a concept map. Show the alignment of the selected nursing theory and its alignment with the nursing process (including alignment with critical thinking and clinical decision-making) for an improved nursing care plan.

Click on the link below:

What is a Theory-practice gap? An Exploration of the Concept