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 — Why EBP
matters in nursing practice
Stem: A nurse manager notices that postoperative patients
on one unit have longer lengths of stay than similar
patients on another unit, even though staffing ratios are
the same. Several staff members say, “We have always
done it this way,” and want no change. The manager wants
to respond with an EBP-focused explanation for why
practice review is needed. Which response best reflects
, the purpose of EBP?
Options:
A. “Standardization is best because it prevents nurses from
changing familiar routines.”
B. “Best practice should combine the best available
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences.”
C. “If a policy has been used for years, it is considered the
strongest form of evidence.”
D. “Practice changes should wait until every nurse agrees
with the current routine.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: EBP is not based on tradition or
consensus alone. It integrates the best available evidence with
clinical expertise and patient values to improve outcomes and
reduce unnecessary variation.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Standardization can help when based
on evidence, but routine alone does not justify a practice.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Longevity does not equal evidence
quality. Tradition is not a substitute for research.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Consensus is helpful, but practice
change should be driven by evidence and patient outcomes, not
unanimous comfort with the status quo.
Teaching Point: EBP replaces “we have always done it this way”
with evidence-guided decision-making.
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
uncertainty
Stem: During bedside report, a new graduate nurse asks
why patients at high risk for falls are not routinely offered
non-slip socks during evening ambulation, since another
hospital used that approach. A preceptor dismisses the
question, saying it is “not important enough” to
investigate. Which interpretation best reflects a spirit of
inquiry?
Options:
A. Questioning current practice and asking whether a
better option exists
B. Accepting routine care as valid because it has been used
for years
C. Waiting to change practice until a sentinel event occurs
D. Changing practice immediately based on personal
experience alone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry is curiosity about how
and why care is delivered, especially when a clinician notices a
possible improvement in outcomes.
Rationale — Incorrect B: Familiarity does not establish
effectiveness.
Rationale — Incorrect C: EBP is proactive, not reactive after
harm occurs.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Personal experience alone is
insufficient without evaluating evidence and context.
, Teaching Point: Inquiry begins when a nurse notices a gap
between routine care and better possible outcomes.
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 — Outcome-
focused decision-making
Stem: A medical-surgical unit is reviewing whether a new
oral care bundle should replace the current approach for
ventilated patients. Leadership wants to know how to
justify the change in a way that appeals to administrators.
Which outcome would be the strongest organizational
argument for EBP adoption?
Options:
A. Nurses report that the new bundle is more convenient
B. The intervention decreases ventilator-associated
pneumonia and costs of care
C. Staff members prefer the same routine across all units
D. The bundle is newer than the current oral care practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Administrators are most persuaded by
measurable improvements in quality, safety, outcomes, and
cost. EBP supports changes that improve patient outcomes and
resource use.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Convenience may help adoption, but
it is not the strongest justification.
& 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 — Why EBP
matters in nursing practice
Stem: A nurse manager notices that postoperative patients
on one unit have longer lengths of stay than similar
patients on another unit, even though staffing ratios are
the same. Several staff members say, “We have always
done it this way,” and want no change. The manager wants
to respond with an EBP-focused explanation for why
practice review is needed. Which response best reflects
, the purpose of EBP?
Options:
A. “Standardization is best because it prevents nurses from
changing familiar routines.”
B. “Best practice should combine the best available
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences.”
C. “If a policy has been used for years, it is considered the
strongest form of evidence.”
D. “Practice changes should wait until every nurse agrees
with the current routine.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: EBP is not based on tradition or
consensus alone. It integrates the best available evidence with
clinical expertise and patient values to improve outcomes and
reduce unnecessary variation.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Standardization can help when based
on evidence, but routine alone does not justify a practice.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Longevity does not equal evidence
quality. Tradition is not a substitute for research.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Consensus is helpful, but practice
change should be driven by evidence and patient outcomes, not
unanimous comfort with the status quo.
Teaching Point: EBP replaces “we have always done it this way”
with evidence-guided decision-making.
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
uncertainty
Stem: During bedside report, a new graduate nurse asks
why patients at high risk for falls are not routinely offered
non-slip socks during evening ambulation, since another
hospital used that approach. A preceptor dismisses the
question, saying it is “not important enough” to
investigate. Which interpretation best reflects a spirit of
inquiry?
Options:
A. Questioning current practice and asking whether a
better option exists
B. Accepting routine care as valid because it has been used
for years
C. Waiting to change practice until a sentinel event occurs
D. Changing practice immediately based on personal
experience alone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry is curiosity about how
and why care is delivered, especially when a clinician notices a
possible improvement in outcomes.
Rationale — Incorrect B: Familiarity does not establish
effectiveness.
Rationale — Incorrect C: EBP is proactive, not reactive after
harm occurs.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Personal experience alone is
insufficient without evaluating evidence and context.
, Teaching Point: Inquiry begins when a nurse notices a gap
between routine care and better possible outcomes.
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 — Outcome-
focused decision-making
Stem: A medical-surgical unit is reviewing whether a new
oral care bundle should replace the current approach for
ventilated patients. Leadership wants to know how to
justify the change in a way that appeals to administrators.
Which outcome would be the strongest organizational
argument for EBP adoption?
Options:
A. Nurses report that the new bundle is more convenient
B. The intervention decreases ventilator-associated
pneumonia and costs of care
C. Staff members prefer the same routine across all units
D. The bundle is newer than the current oral care practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Administrators are most persuaded by
measurable improvements in quality, safety, outcomes, and
cost. EBP supports changes that improve patient outcomes and
resource use.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Convenience may help adoption, but
it is not the strongest justification.
