EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Why EBP Matters in Contemporary Nursing
EBP-Level Stem: A medical-surgical unit continues using an
outdated wound-dressing practice because “it has always
worked.” Over the past quarter, infection rates and length of
stay have remained higher than benchmark. The nurse manager
wants to justify a practice change to staff and leadership. Which
rationale best reflects the case for evidence-based practice?
,Options:
A. EBP replaces clinical judgment with standardized protocols
B. EBP integrates best research evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences to improve outcomes
C. EBP is mainly used to reduce documentation time
D. EBP is appropriate only when there is unanimous staff
agreement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice is a
decision-making approach that combines the best available
evidence with clinician expertise and patient values to improve
care quality and outcomes. In this scenario, the problem is
persistent variation and suboptimal results, which makes EBP
the strongest justification for change.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. EBP does not eliminate clinical judgment; it refines and
strengthens it.
C. Documentation efficiency may improve indirectly, but that is
not the central purpose of EBP.
D. Staff unanimity is not required before using evidence to
guide practice.
Teaching Point: EBP integrates evidence, expertise, and
preferences to improve outcomes—not to replace judgment.
,Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Identifying a
Practice Gap
EBP-Level Stem: During shift report, several nurses disagree
about the best way to prevent pressure injuries in immobile
older adults. The unit has no consistent method, and outcomes
vary by nurse assignment. Which observation best signals a
practice gap that should trigger EBP inquiry?
Options:
A. Nurses are uncomfortable discussing prevention strategies in
front of families
B. The unit uses several different approaches with inconsistent
patient outcomes
C. The unit has an updated policy posted on the intranet
D. Staff prefer oral report over written report
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: A practice gap exists when care is
inconsistent, outdated, or not producing desired outcomes.
Variable methods with variable outcomes suggest uncertainty
that should prompt EBP rather than continued habit-based
care.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
, A. Communication discomfort is a workflow issue, not
necessarily a practice-evidence gap.
C. Having a policy does not prove the practice is ineffective or
outdated.
D. Report style is unrelated to the clinical evidence problem
described.
Teaching Point: A practice gap shows inconsistency or poor
outcomes that warrant evidence review.
Citation: Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023, Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Benefits of an
EBP Culture
EBP-Level Stem: A hospital introduces shared governance,
journal clubs, and nurse-led practice councils. Leadership
expects these changes to strengthen inquiry and evidence use.
Which outcome is the best indicator that an EBP culture is
developing?
Options:
A. Staff can name the most senior physician on the unit
B. Nurses routinely question practices and seek evidence before
changing care
C. The unit eliminates all variation in patient responses
D. Managers make all decisions to ensure consistency
Correct Answer: B
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Why EBP Matters in Contemporary Nursing
EBP-Level Stem: A medical-surgical unit continues using an
outdated wound-dressing practice because “it has always
worked.” Over the past quarter, infection rates and length of
stay have remained higher than benchmark. The nurse manager
wants to justify a practice change to staff and leadership. Which
rationale best reflects the case for evidence-based practice?
,Options:
A. EBP replaces clinical judgment with standardized protocols
B. EBP integrates best research evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences to improve outcomes
C. EBP is mainly used to reduce documentation time
D. EBP is appropriate only when there is unanimous staff
agreement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice is a
decision-making approach that combines the best available
evidence with clinician expertise and patient values to improve
care quality and outcomes. In this scenario, the problem is
persistent variation and suboptimal results, which makes EBP
the strongest justification for change.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. EBP does not eliminate clinical judgment; it refines and
strengthens it.
C. Documentation efficiency may improve indirectly, but that is
not the central purpose of EBP.
D. Staff unanimity is not required before using evidence to
guide practice.
Teaching Point: EBP integrates evidence, expertise, and
preferences to improve outcomes—not to replace judgment.
,Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Identifying a
Practice Gap
EBP-Level Stem: During shift report, several nurses disagree
about the best way to prevent pressure injuries in immobile
older adults. The unit has no consistent method, and outcomes
vary by nurse assignment. Which observation best signals a
practice gap that should trigger EBP inquiry?
Options:
A. Nurses are uncomfortable discussing prevention strategies in
front of families
B. The unit uses several different approaches with inconsistent
patient outcomes
C. The unit has an updated policy posted on the intranet
D. Staff prefer oral report over written report
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer: A practice gap exists when care is
inconsistent, outdated, or not producing desired outcomes.
Variable methods with variable outcomes suggest uncertainty
that should prompt EBP rather than continued habit-based
care.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
, A. Communication discomfort is a workflow issue, not
necessarily a practice-evidence gap.
C. Having a policy does not prove the practice is ineffective or
outdated.
D. Report style is unrelated to the clinical evidence problem
described.
Teaching Point: A practice gap shows inconsistency or poor
outcomes that warrant evidence review.
Citation: Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023, Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Benefits of an
EBP Culture
EBP-Level Stem: A hospital introduces shared governance,
journal clubs, and nurse-led practice councils. Leadership
expects these changes to strengthen inquiry and evidence use.
Which outcome is the best indicator that an EBP culture is
developing?
Options:
A. Staff can name the most senior physician on the unit
B. Nurses routinely question practices and seek evidence before
changing care
C. The unit eliminates all variation in patient responses
D. Managers make all decisions to ensure consistency
Correct Answer: B
