This activity best describes the adoption of an evidence-based practice because it shows that the nurse used the best available evidence from research to inform their decision and improve the quality and safety of client care. The nurse discarded the antimicrobials that were found to be associated with increased nosocomial infection rates, which are infections acquired in the hospital setting. This could prevent further harm and complications for the clients.


The other options do not describe the adoption of an evidence-based practice because:
 

Dependent clients on a medical unit are bathed every other day instead of daily by the staff. This activity does not show that the nurse used evidence from research to inform their practice. It could be based on personal preference, convenience, tradition, or other factors. It does not necessarily reflect the best practice for dependent clients' hygiene and comfort.
 

Postanesthesia, the client's first dose of a narcotic is halved to maintain respiratory effort. This activity does not show that the nurse used evidence from research to inform their practice. It could be based on intuition, experience, habit, or other factors. It does not necessarily reflect the best practice for pain management and respiratory function for postanesthesia clients.
 

Vital signs are recorded every shift on stable clients per current hospital-wide policy. This activity does not show that the nurse used evidence from research to inform their practice. It could be based on policy, protocol, routine, or other factors. It does not necessarily reflect the best practice for monitoring and assessing stable clients' vital signs.