When planning the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent falls, which of the following steps should the nurse take first?

When planning the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent falls, the nurse should first gather and review currently existing literature and guidelines for the prevention of falls. This step is crucial as it provides the nurse with the most up-to-date and evidence-based information on fall prevention strategies. By reviewing existing literature and guidelines, the nurse can ensure that the practices being implemented are based on the best available evidence, thus increasing the likelihood of their effectiveness in preventing falls. Only after this step has been completed can the nurse move on to identifying common causes of falls, identifying applicable fall prevention practices, and gathering data to evaluate the effectiveness of the new practice guidelines.