EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Moving Beyond Tradition
EBP-Level Question Stem
A medical-surgical unit continues to use a dressing technique
because “that is how we have always done it,” even though
nurses report inconsistent patient outcomes and frequent
supply waste. A new graduate nurse asks whether current
evidence supports the practice, but several staff members
,dismiss the concern as unnecessary change. Which response by
the charge nurse best reflects evidence-based practice?
Options
A. Continue the current technique until a physician requests a
change
B. Ask whether the practice is supported by current evidence
and patient outcomes
C. Change the procedure immediately because newer methods
are always better
D. Wait until a formal research study is completed on this exact
unit
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice begins with
questioning whether a current practice is supported by the best
available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient needs. This
response demonstrates a spirit of inquiry and recognizes that
tradition alone is not sufficient justification for practice.
A: EBP is not dependent on physician request; nurses are
responsible for evaluating practice quality.
C: Newer is not automatically better; evidence must be
appraised before implementation.
D: EBP does not require the unit to conduct its own
research before improving care.
,Teaching Point
Tradition is not evidence; EBP starts with asking whether a
practice truly works.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Reference
Ch. 1 — Spirit of Inquiry — Recognizing Practice Gaps
EBP-Level Question Stem
A nurse notices that two experienced colleagues use different
methods to manage the same patient problem, and both insist
their method is best. The nurse wonders whether either
approach is supported by evidence and begins comparing
outcomes. What is the nurse demonstrating?
Options
A. Compliance with unit tradition
B. A spirit of inquiry
C. Research misconduct
D. Administrative delegation
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Answer: A spirit of inquiry is a persistent curiosity
, about clinical questions and practice variation. It is the starting
point for moving from routine practice to evidence-based
decision-making.
A: Compliance means following without questioning; this
nurse is doing the opposite.
C: Comparing practice approaches is appropriate
professional reasoning, not misconduct.
D: The nurse is investigating practice, not assigning tasks to
others.
Teaching Point
Curiosity about why practice differs is the first step toward EBP.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Best Available Evidence
EBP-Level Question Stem
A staff nurse hears that a popular online nursing forum
recommends a practice that is widely discussed but has never
been evaluated on the unit. The nurse asks whether stronger
evidence exists before adopting it. Which reasoning best
supports the nurse’s question?
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Moving Beyond Tradition
EBP-Level Question Stem
A medical-surgical unit continues to use a dressing technique
because “that is how we have always done it,” even though
nurses report inconsistent patient outcomes and frequent
supply waste. A new graduate nurse asks whether current
evidence supports the practice, but several staff members
,dismiss the concern as unnecessary change. Which response by
the charge nurse best reflects evidence-based practice?
Options
A. Continue the current technique until a physician requests a
change
B. Ask whether the practice is supported by current evidence
and patient outcomes
C. Change the procedure immediately because newer methods
are always better
D. Wait until a formal research study is completed on this exact
unit
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice begins with
questioning whether a current practice is supported by the best
available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient needs. This
response demonstrates a spirit of inquiry and recognizes that
tradition alone is not sufficient justification for practice.
A: EBP is not dependent on physician request; nurses are
responsible for evaluating practice quality.
C: Newer is not automatically better; evidence must be
appraised before implementation.
D: EBP does not require the unit to conduct its own
research before improving care.
,Teaching Point
Tradition is not evidence; EBP starts with asking whether a
practice truly works.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Reference
Ch. 1 — Spirit of Inquiry — Recognizing Practice Gaps
EBP-Level Question Stem
A nurse notices that two experienced colleagues use different
methods to manage the same patient problem, and both insist
their method is best. The nurse wonders whether either
approach is supported by evidence and begins comparing
outcomes. What is the nurse demonstrating?
Options
A. Compliance with unit tradition
B. A spirit of inquiry
C. Research misconduct
D. Administrative delegation
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Answer: A spirit of inquiry is a persistent curiosity
, about clinical questions and practice variation. It is the starting
point for moving from routine practice to evidence-based
decision-making.
A: Compliance means following without questioning; this
nurse is doing the opposite.
C: Comparing practice approaches is appropriate
professional reasoning, not misconduct.
D: The nurse is investigating practice, not assigning tasks to
others.
Teaching Point
Curiosity about why practice differs is the first step toward EBP.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Best Available Evidence
EBP-Level Question Stem
A staff nurse hears that a popular online nursing forum
recommends a practice that is widely discussed but has never
been evaluated on the unit. The nurse asks whether stronger
evidence exists before adopting it. Which reasoning best
supports the nurse’s question?
