What is the primary focus of evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing?

A. To use personal experience for patient care: While clinical expertise is a component, relying solely on personal experience is anecdotal and can be biased. It ignores the rigorous data provided by high-quality research studies. Evidence-based practice requires a more comprehensive approach than individual intuition or history alone. B. To prioritize traditional practices over modern techniques: Tradition-based nursing often lacks a scientific foundation and may include obsolete or harmful interventions. The primary focus of EBP is to challenge outdated traditions by applying proven, modern scientific findings. It moves practice from "how it has been done" to "what is proven to work." C. To integrate individual clinical expertise with the best available evidence: EBP is a holistic process that combines the latest research findings, clinical experience, and the patient's unique circumstances. This integration ensures that care is both scientifically sound and tailored to the individual. It is the gold standard for modern clinical decision-making. D. To eliminate patient values and preferences from decision-making: Patient values are one of the three core pillars of evidence-based practice. Ignoring what is important to the patient violates the principle of patient-centered care and can lead to poor compliance. EBP specifically mandates the inclusion of the patient's perspective in the treatment plan.