EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1️⃣ Reference: Ch. 1️ — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Spirit of Inquiry
Stem: A medical-surgical unit has been using the same wound
care protocol for years, but staff notice inconsistent healing
times and varied dressing choices. The nurse manager asks the
team to “just follow tradition” because the process has “always
worked well enough.” Which response best reflects an
evidence-based practice mindset?
,Options:
A. Continue the current protocol because long-standing practice
implies adequacy
B. Search for current best evidence, combine it with clinical
expertise and patient preferences, then evaluate outcomes
C. Ask only the most experienced nurse what dressing she
prefers
D. Change the protocol immediately without reviewing the
evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Evidence-based practice requires
integrating the best available research with clinical expertise
and patient preferences. A spirit of inquiry begins with
questioning whether current practice is producing the best
outcomes and then seeking evidence before changing care.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Longevity of a practice does not
establish effectiveness or safety.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Expert opinion alone is not sufficient
when stronger evidence may exist.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Immediate change without appraisal
risks adopting ineffective or harmful care.
Teaching Point: Tradition is not evidence; EBP starts by
questioning practice and seeking data.
Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1️.
,2⃣ Reference: Ch. 1️ — Spirit of Inquiry — Clinical Questioning
Stem: During a shift huddle, a new nurse says, “I noticed our
older adults seem more confused after receiving nighttime
sedatives, but I assumed that is just part of aging.” Which action
best demonstrates a spirit of inquiry?
Options:
A. Accept the confusion as unavoidable and continue current
practice
B. Document the observation and ask whether evidence
supports a safer sleep protocol
C. Wait until a physician independently raises the concern
D. Ignore the pattern because one nurse’s observation is not
enough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry begins with noticing
patterns in practice and asking whether current care can be
improved. The nurse’s observation can prompt an evidence
search and possible practice review.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Normalizing a potentially modifiable
outcome can delay improvement.
Rationale — Incorrect C: EBP is interprofessional, but nurses
initiate inquiry too.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Early observation is often the starting
point for a practice question.
, Teaching Point: Clinical curiosity is the first step toward better
outcomes.
Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1️.
3⃣ Reference: Ch. 1️ — Making the Case for EBP — Decision
Making
Stem: A unit is deciding whether to adopt a new falls-
prevention bundle. One leader argues the bundle should be
implemented because it is “popular in other hospitals.” Another
asks for evidence of effectiveness in similar patient populations.
Which concern is most important to address first?
Options:
A. Whether the bundle has been used by large hospitals
B. Whether the bundle is supported by strong evidence in
comparable settings
C. Whether staff think the bundle is easy to use
D. Whether the bundle looks impressive in policy documents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: External popularity does not substitute
for high-quality evidence relevant to the local setting and
patient population. EBP requires evaluating whether the
intervention is likely to produce better outcomes in context.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Size of the institution is not evidence
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1️⃣ Reference: Ch. 1️ — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Spirit of Inquiry
Stem: A medical-surgical unit has been using the same wound
care protocol for years, but staff notice inconsistent healing
times and varied dressing choices. The nurse manager asks the
team to “just follow tradition” because the process has “always
worked well enough.” Which response best reflects an
evidence-based practice mindset?
,Options:
A. Continue the current protocol because long-standing practice
implies adequacy
B. Search for current best evidence, combine it with clinical
expertise and patient preferences, then evaluate outcomes
C. Ask only the most experienced nurse what dressing she
prefers
D. Change the protocol immediately without reviewing the
evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Evidence-based practice requires
integrating the best available research with clinical expertise
and patient preferences. A spirit of inquiry begins with
questioning whether current practice is producing the best
outcomes and then seeking evidence before changing care.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Longevity of a practice does not
establish effectiveness or safety.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Expert opinion alone is not sufficient
when stronger evidence may exist.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Immediate change without appraisal
risks adopting ineffective or harmful care.
Teaching Point: Tradition is not evidence; EBP starts by
questioning practice and seeking data.
Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1️.
,2⃣ Reference: Ch. 1️ — Spirit of Inquiry — Clinical Questioning
Stem: During a shift huddle, a new nurse says, “I noticed our
older adults seem more confused after receiving nighttime
sedatives, but I assumed that is just part of aging.” Which action
best demonstrates a spirit of inquiry?
Options:
A. Accept the confusion as unavoidable and continue current
practice
B. Document the observation and ask whether evidence
supports a safer sleep protocol
C. Wait until a physician independently raises the concern
D. Ignore the pattern because one nurse’s observation is not
enough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry begins with noticing
patterns in practice and asking whether current care can be
improved. The nurse’s observation can prompt an evidence
search and possible practice review.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Normalizing a potentially modifiable
outcome can delay improvement.
Rationale — Incorrect C: EBP is interprofessional, but nurses
initiate inquiry too.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Early observation is often the starting
point for a practice question.
, Teaching Point: Clinical curiosity is the first step toward better
outcomes.
Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1️.
3⃣ Reference: Ch. 1️ — Making the Case for EBP — Decision
Making
Stem: A unit is deciding whether to adopt a new falls-
prevention bundle. One leader argues the bundle should be
implemented because it is “popular in other hospitals.” Another
asks for evidence of effectiveness in similar patient populations.
Which concern is most important to address first?
Options:
A. Whether the bundle has been used by large hospitals
B. Whether the bundle is supported by strong evidence in
comparable settings
C. Whether staff think the bundle is easy to use
D. Whether the bundle looks impressive in policy documents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: External popularity does not substitute
for high-quality evidence relevant to the local setting and
patient population. EBP requires evaluating whether the
intervention is likely to produce better outcomes in context.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Size of the institution is not evidence
