A quantitative, experimental design study used to detect pain level differences of groups receiving IM or PCA narcotics and a control group receiving placebos should be dropped from further consideration because it involves unethical practice. An experimental design is a type of research design that examines the effects of an intervention or treatment on an outcome variable using a randomized controlled trial design. The researcher manipulates the independent variable (the intervention or treatment) and controls for other variables that may influence the outcome. The researcher also randomly assigns participants to either an experimental group that receives the intervention or treatment, or a control group that receives no intervention or a placebo (a fake or inactive substance). A placebo is used to control for the placebo effect, which is the psychological or physiological response that occurs when participants believe they are receiving an intervention or treatment, regardless of its actual effectiveness. However, using a placebo in a research study that involves pain management is unethical, because it deprives the participants in the control group of effective pain relief and exposes them to unnecessary suffering and harm. This violates the ethical principles of beneficence (doing good) and nonmaleficence (doing no harm) that guide research involving human subjects. Therefore, this research design should be dropped from further consideration.


The other options are not correct because:
 

A retrospective 30-day chart audit that identifies the frequency of narcotic administration to clients one day following surgery does not involve unethical practice. A retrospective chart audit is a type of research design that uses existing data from medical records or charts to answer research questions. The researcher does not manipulate or intervene with the participants or their care, but rather observes and analyzes what has already happened. A retrospective chart audit does not involve unethical practice, as long as the researcher obtains informed consent from the participants or their guardians, protects their privacy and confidentiality, and follows the ethical guidelines for using secondary data.
 

A qualitative study comparing responses of African-American and Caucasian clients about the levels of pain they experienced on their first postoperative day does not involve unethical practice. A qualitative

study is a type of research design that explores and describes the meanings, experiences, and perspectives of human phenomena. The researcher does not manipulate or intervene with the participants or their care, but rather collects and analyzes data from their own words and actions. A qualitative study does not involve unethical practice, as long as the researcher obtains informed consent from the participants, protects their privacy and confidentiality, and respects their dignity and autonomy.
 

A prospective study that compares female and male clients' responses about their expectations of postoperative pain does not involve unethical practice. A prospective study is a type of research design that follows a cohort or group of participants over time to examine the effects or outcomes of an exposure or intervention. The researcher does not manipulate or intervene with the participants or their care, but rather observes and measures what happens naturally. A prospective study does not involve unethical practice, as long as the researcher obtains informed consent from the participants, protects their privacy and confidentiality, and minimizes any potential risks or harms.