How to Come Up with a PICO Question for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

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How to Come Up with a PICO Question for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

One of the first and most important steps in any evidence-based nursing research or clinical project is forming a strong PICO question. Whether you’re writing a nursing paper, conducting a literature review, or preparing for your DNP or MSN capstone, a well-developed PICO question gives you a clear direction for your investigation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to come up with a PICO question, with examples and tips tailored for nursing students and healthcare professionals.

What Is a PICO Question in Nursing?

PICO is a mnemonic used to frame and answer a clinical or health-related question. It stands for:

  • P – Population or Patient Problem

  • I – Intervention

  • C – Comparison

  • O – Outcome

In some cases, a T (Time or Type of Study) is added, making it a PICOT question.

Why Is a PICO Question Important in Nursing Research?

Creating a clear and focused PICO question helps you:

  • Narrow down your research topic

  • Search databases more effectively

  • Identify relevant evidence

  • Develop an intervention or solution

  • Guide your capstone, quality improvement, or EBP project

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Step-by-Step: How to Come Up with a PICO Question

1. Identify a Clinical Problem or Area of Interest

Start with a clinical issue you’ve encountered during clinicals, in your workplace, or from nursing coursework. Ask yourself:

  • What patient problem needs improvement?

  • Is there a gap in practice or a recurring issue?

Example Topics:

  • Hospital-acquired infections

  • Patient falls in elderly units

  • Nurse burnout and patient safety

  • Pain management in post-op care

  • Mental health interventions for adolescents

2. Break the Problem into PICO Components

Take your problem and separate it into the PICO elements:

  • Population (P): Who is the patient or group?

  • Intervention (I): What action, therapy, or strategy are you proposing?

  • Comparison (C): What is the alternative to the intervention (optional)?

  • Outcome (O): What do you want to achieve or measure?

3. Example PICO Question in Nursing

Clinical Topic: Preventing pressure ulcers in ICU patients

PICO Breakdown:

  • P – ICU patients

  • I – Use of pressure-relieving mattresses

  • C – Standard hospital beds

  • O – Reduced incidence of pressure ulcers

Final PICO Question:
In ICU patients (P), how does the use of pressure-relieving mattresses (I) compared to standard hospital beds (C) reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers (O) during hospital stay?

4. Search for Literature Using Your PICO

Once your PICO question is ready, you can use it to:

  • Guide your keyword search on PubMed, CINAHL, or Google Scholar

  • Filter articles based on population and outcomes

  • Ensure you collect evidence relevant to your clinical problem

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Tips for Choosing a Good PICO Question

  • Keep it specific: Vague topics make research harder.

  • Focus on one patient issue at a time

  • Use real clinical problems from your practice, preceptorship, or interests

  • Avoid yes/no questions—instead, aim for measurable outcomes

  • Check feasibility: Can you find enough literature?

Sample PICO Questions for Nursing Students

  • In elderly patients (P), does daily physical therapy (I) compared to no physical therapy (C) improve mobility (O)?

  • Among adolescent patients with anxiety (P), how effective is cognitive behavioral therapy (I) compared to medication alone (C) in reducing symptoms (O)?

  • In surgical units (P), does hourly rounding (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce patient falls (O)?

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Final Thoughts

Crafting a well-structured PICO question is the foundation of any successful nursing research, EBP project, or literature review. It helps you stay focused, locate the right evidence, and present a strong argument in your academic and clinical writing.

Need help writing or refining your PICO question? At NursingStudyHub.com, our expert nursing tutors and writers can help you brainstorm clinical topics, develop a strong PICO question, and support your research from start to finish.

Published by Henry