Reply 1 Knowing the independent variable definition and dependent variable definition is key to understanding how experiments work. According to Sarikas (2020), the independent variable is what you change, and the dependent variable is what changes as a result of that. For my project the interventions have been done to reduce mortality in hospital setting compared to other settings. I would make medication education my independent variable (because I can change it). My dependent variable is patient’s outcomes and number of mortalities if any. Patient’s outcomes can change dependent if I decide to implement medication education or not. As the experimenter changes the independent variable, the effect on the dependent variable is observed and recorded. Reference Sarikas, C. (2020). . Prep Scholar. https://blog.prepscholar.com/independent-and-dependent-variables. Reply 2 2 posts Most critically ill patients placed on mechanical ventilation end up developing Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), despite the measures that have been put in place to address the problem. Jiao (2021) explains that in the United States, HAP is the second most common nosocomial infection, with an incidence ranging from 5 to more than 20 cases per 1000 hospital admissions. The number of VAP cases before and after using the new implementation methods is one of the dependent variables. It will be a great indicator, assessing whether or not the rates of pneumonia have lowered, which would mean our new plan is successful in reducing VAPs. Mechanical ventilation weaning and endotracheal tube extubating are essential steps during the hospitalization of the critically ill patient, requiring clinical judgment and effective planning (Johnny, 2021). Consequently, the quick and accurate extubating once there is no longer a need for it will be the independent variable. This will be very crucial in helping to determine whether or not the patient benefited from these actions being taken, and whether or not the results and data are accurate. If all of the nurses follow the instructions called for in my change project to reduce VAPs, the outcome planned will then be considered to be accurate. References Jiao, J., Li, Z., Wu, X., Cao, J., Liu, G., Liu, Y., Li, F., Zhu, C., Song, B., Jin, J., Liu, Y., Wen, X., Cheng, S., & Wan, X. (2021). Risk factors for 3-month mortality in bedridden patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia: A multicentre prospective study. PLoS ONE, 16(3), 1–10. Johnny, J. D. (2021). Readiness Assessment for Extubation Planning in the Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Initiative. Critical Care Nurse, 41(3), 42–48.

Answer: The concept of independent and dependent variables is integral to understanding the design and analysis of experiments. In the context of your project on reducing mortality in a hospital setting, medication education is identified as the independent variable, while patient outcomes and the number of mortalities are the dependent variables.

When conducting an experiment, the independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter. In this case, medication education is within your control and can be modified. By implementing medication education, you are altering the independent variable.

On the other hand, the dependent variable is the outcome or response that is measured and observed as a result of the changes made to the independent variable. In your project, patient outcomes and the number of mortalities are the dependent variables. These variables are expected to change in response to the implementation of medication education.

The objective is to assess the impact of medication education on patient outcomes and mortality rates. By comparing the outcomes and mortality rates before and after implementing the intervention, you can determine the effectiveness of medication education in reducing mortality in the hospital setting.

It is important to note that there may be other confounding variables that could potentially influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These variables should be carefully controlled or accounted for in your study to ensure accurate results.

Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that the implementation of medication education is standardized and consistently applied across all patients. This will help eliminate potential bias and ensure that the outcomes are attributed to the independent variable rather than other factors.

In another context, the concept of independent and dependent variables can also be applied to the study of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP is a common nosocomial infection among critically ill patients placed on mechanical ventilation. To assess the effectiveness of new implementation methods in reducing VAP rates, the number of VAP cases can be considered as a dependent variable.

In this case, the independent variable would be the process of mechanical ventilation weaning and endotracheal tube extubating. The prompt and accurate extubation of patients when no longer necessary would be the independent variable that is manipulated. By comparing the VAP rates before and after the implementation of improved extubation practices, the impact of this intervention can be evaluated.

In conclusion, understanding the independent and dependent variables is vital in designing and analyzing experiments. In your project on reducing mortality in a hospital setting, medication education is the independent variable, while patient outcomes and the number of mortalities are the dependent variables. Similarly, in the study of VAP, the process of mechanical ventilation weaning and extubation is the independent variable, and the number of VAP cases is the dependent variable. By carefully controlling and manipulating the independent variables, you can observe and measure the changes in the dependent variables, thus providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of the interventions.