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 Evidence-Based
Practice — Why EBP Matters
A medical-surgical unit continues using a wound-care protocol
that staff “have always used,” despite rising catheter-associated
infections and longer lengths of stay. The nurse manager asks
what makes the strongest case for moving the unit toward
evidence-based practice. Which rationale is most defensible?
,A. EBP replaces all clinical judgment with research findings
B. EBP integrates the best evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences to improve outcomes
C. EBP is mainly useful for reducing documentation workload
D. EBP is appropriate only when no clinical guidelines exist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
EBP is not research alone; it is the integration of the best
available evidence with clinician expertise and patient
values/preferences. In this scenario, the strongest justification is
improved outcomes through deliberate, evidence-informed
decision-making. That is the central argument for EBP in
practice change.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because EBP does not eliminate clinical judgment;
it strengthens it. C is incorrect because documentation
efficiency is not the primary purpose of EBP. D is incorrect
because EBP applies even when guidelines exist, especially
when evaluating whether current practice aligns with the best
evidence.
Teaching Point: EBP integrates evidence, expertise, and patient
values to improve outcomes.
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 a
Practice Gap
During report, an RN notices that two preceptors give different
answers about whether early ambulation after surgery should
begin on the day of operation. The RN wonders whether the
unit’s current routine is still best practice. What best describes
this nurse’s thinking?
A. Passive acceptance of authority
B. Spirit of inquiry
C. Random curiosity without clinical relevance
D. Research misconduct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A spirit of inquiry is a persistent questioning of current practice
and a desire to understand whether care is truly optimal. The
nurse is noticing a clinical inconsistency and considering
whether evidence supports a different approach. That
questioning is the starting point for EBP.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because the nurse is not simply accepting what
others say. C is incorrect because the question is directly tied to
patient care. D is incorrect because asking about practice is
appropriate and expected, not unethical.
, Teaching Point: Inquiry begins when nurses question whether
current practice is the best practice.
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 —
Organizational Outcomes
A chief nursing officer wants to justify funding EBP education
for staff. Which outcome best aligns with the chapter’s case for
investing in EBP?
A. More variation in practice across shifts
B. Improved patient outcomes and more reliable care processes
C. Less need to evaluate care quality
D. Reduced need for patient-centered decision-making
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
EBP supports consistent, high-quality care by reducing
unwarranted variation and promoting outcomes-based practice.
When staff use the best evidence, care processes become more
reliable and patient outcomes can improve. That is a strong
organizational argument for EBP investment.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is the opposite of what EBP aims to reduce. C is incorrect
& 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 Evidence-Based
Practice — Why EBP Matters
A medical-surgical unit continues using a wound-care protocol
that staff “have always used,” despite rising catheter-associated
infections and longer lengths of stay. The nurse manager asks
what makes the strongest case for moving the unit toward
evidence-based practice. Which rationale is most defensible?
,A. EBP replaces all clinical judgment with research findings
B. EBP integrates the best evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences to improve outcomes
C. EBP is mainly useful for reducing documentation workload
D. EBP is appropriate only when no clinical guidelines exist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
EBP is not research alone; it is the integration of the best
available evidence with clinician expertise and patient
values/preferences. In this scenario, the strongest justification is
improved outcomes through deliberate, evidence-informed
decision-making. That is the central argument for EBP in
practice change.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because EBP does not eliminate clinical judgment;
it strengthens it. C is incorrect because documentation
efficiency is not the primary purpose of EBP. D is incorrect
because EBP applies even when guidelines exist, especially
when evaluating whether current practice aligns with the best
evidence.
Teaching Point: EBP integrates evidence, expertise, and patient
values to improve outcomes.
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 a
Practice Gap
During report, an RN notices that two preceptors give different
answers about whether early ambulation after surgery should
begin on the day of operation. The RN wonders whether the
unit’s current routine is still best practice. What best describes
this nurse’s thinking?
A. Passive acceptance of authority
B. Spirit of inquiry
C. Random curiosity without clinical relevance
D. Research misconduct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A spirit of inquiry is a persistent questioning of current practice
and a desire to understand whether care is truly optimal. The
nurse is noticing a clinical inconsistency and considering
whether evidence supports a different approach. That
questioning is the starting point for EBP.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because the nurse is not simply accepting what
others say. C is incorrect because the question is directly tied to
patient care. D is incorrect because asking about practice is
appropriate and expected, not unethical.
, Teaching Point: Inquiry begins when nurses question whether
current practice is the best practice.
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 —
Organizational Outcomes
A chief nursing officer wants to justify funding EBP education
for staff. Which outcome best aligns with the chapter’s case for
investing in EBP?
A. More variation in practice across shifts
B. Improved patient outcomes and more reliable care processes
C. Less need to evaluate care quality
D. Reduced need for patient-centered decision-making
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
EBP supports consistent, high-quality care by reducing
unwarranted variation and promoting outcomes-based practice.
When staff use the best evidence, care processes become more
reliable and patient outcomes can improve. That is a strong
organizational argument for EBP investment.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is the opposite of what EBP aims to reduce. C is incorrect
