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 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry
Stem: A medical-surgical unit has used the same turning
schedule for pressure injury prevention for years, even though
new staff members notice outcomes vary widely between
patients. The nurse manager asks the team to “stay with what
has always worked” because it feels familiar. Which response
best reflects an evidence-based practice mindset?
A. Continue the current schedule because long-standing routine
,is usually safest
B. Ask whether the current approach is producing the best
patient outcomes and whether stronger evidence exists
C. Wait until a national mandate requires a change before
reconsidering the practice
D. Change the schedule immediately without reviewing patient
factors or evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: An EBP mindset begins with questioning
routine practice and asking whether outcomes can be improved
using the best available evidence. This reflects a spirit of inquiry
rather than reliance on tradition.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Familiar practice is not the same as
effective practice, and longevity alone does not establish best
evidence.
Rationale — Incorrect C: EBP is proactive, not dependent on
external mandates.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Practice changes should be guided by
evidence and patient context, not by abrupt action alone.
Teaching Point: Tradition is not evidence; good EBP starts by
questioning routine care.
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 Evidence-Based
Practice — Why EBP Matters
Stem: A unit leader tells newly hired nurses that evidence-
,based practice is “just research reading.” Another nurse argues
that research alone is enough to guide care. Which statement
best captures the full meaning of EBP?
A. EBP is the same as using only randomized controlled trials
B. EBP integrates best research evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences and values
C. EBP is simply following policies written by experts
D. EBP replaces clinical judgment with standardized protocols
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: EBP is a three-part integration process,
not research alone. It requires combining research evidence
with clinician expertise and the patient’s values and
preferences.
Rationale — Incorrect A: EBP is broader than one study design
and does not rely only on RCTs.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Policies may reflect evidence, but EBP
requires active appraisal and application.
Rationale — Incorrect D: EBP strengthens, rather than replaces,
clinical judgment.
Teaching Point: EBP = research evidence + clinical expertise +
patient values.
Citation: Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt (2023). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry — Clinical
Curiosity
Stem: During bedside report, a nurse notices that some
patients with the same diagnosis recover faster than others
even when they receive similar routine care. The nurse begins
, asking what factors may explain the difference. What EBP
concept is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Research misconduct
B. Spirit of inquiry
C. Statistical generalization
D. Professional dependency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry is a persistent curiosity
about practice and outcomes that prompts questioning and
improvement. It is the starting point for moving from routine
care to evidence-based care.
Rationale — Incorrect A: The scenario reflects curiosity, not
unethical behavior.
Rationale — Incorrect C: The nurse is not making a statistical
claim; they are identifying a practice question.
Rationale — Incorrect D: EBP encourages independent critical
thinking, not blind dependence.
Teaching Point: Curiosity about outcome differences is the seed
of EBP.
Citation: Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt (2023). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Best Care Decisions
Stem: A patient asks why one nurse recommends early
ambulation after surgery while another advises rest until
discharge. The team recognizes that practice varies and that
they have no clear unit standard supported by evidence. What
is the best next step?
& 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 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry
Stem: A medical-surgical unit has used the same turning
schedule for pressure injury prevention for years, even though
new staff members notice outcomes vary widely between
patients. The nurse manager asks the team to “stay with what
has always worked” because it feels familiar. Which response
best reflects an evidence-based practice mindset?
A. Continue the current schedule because long-standing routine
,is usually safest
B. Ask whether the current approach is producing the best
patient outcomes and whether stronger evidence exists
C. Wait until a national mandate requires a change before
reconsidering the practice
D. Change the schedule immediately without reviewing patient
factors or evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: An EBP mindset begins with questioning
routine practice and asking whether outcomes can be improved
using the best available evidence. This reflects a spirit of inquiry
rather than reliance on tradition.
Rationale — Incorrect A: Familiar practice is not the same as
effective practice, and longevity alone does not establish best
evidence.
Rationale — Incorrect C: EBP is proactive, not dependent on
external mandates.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Practice changes should be guided by
evidence and patient context, not by abrupt action alone.
Teaching Point: Tradition is not evidence; good EBP starts by
questioning routine care.
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 Evidence-Based
Practice — Why EBP Matters
Stem: A unit leader tells newly hired nurses that evidence-
,based practice is “just research reading.” Another nurse argues
that research alone is enough to guide care. Which statement
best captures the full meaning of EBP?
A. EBP is the same as using only randomized controlled trials
B. EBP integrates best research evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences and values
C. EBP is simply following policies written by experts
D. EBP replaces clinical judgment with standardized protocols
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: EBP is a three-part integration process,
not research alone. It requires combining research evidence
with clinician expertise and the patient’s values and
preferences.
Rationale — Incorrect A: EBP is broader than one study design
and does not rely only on RCTs.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Policies may reflect evidence, but EBP
requires active appraisal and application.
Rationale — Incorrect D: EBP strengthens, rather than replaces,
clinical judgment.
Teaching Point: EBP = research evidence + clinical expertise +
patient values.
Citation: Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt (2023). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry — Clinical
Curiosity
Stem: During bedside report, a nurse notices that some
patients with the same diagnosis recover faster than others
even when they receive similar routine care. The nurse begins
, asking what factors may explain the difference. What EBP
concept is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Research misconduct
B. Spirit of inquiry
C. Statistical generalization
D. Professional dependency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry is a persistent curiosity
about practice and outcomes that prompts questioning and
improvement. It is the starting point for moving from routine
care to evidence-based care.
Rationale — Incorrect A: The scenario reflects curiosity, not
unethical behavior.
Rationale — Incorrect C: The nurse is not making a statistical
claim; they are identifying a practice question.
Rationale — Incorrect D: EBP encourages independent critical
thinking, not blind dependence.
Teaching Point: Curiosity about outcome differences is the seed
of EBP.
Citation: Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt (2023). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Best Care Decisions
Stem: A patient asks why one nurse recommends early
ambulation after surgery while another advises rest until
discharge. The team recognizes that practice varies and that
they have no clear unit standard supported by evidence. What
is the best next step?
