ATI Evidence-Based Practice:
Comprehensive Examination
Questions well written one
year 2025 /2026 updated
graded A+ Comprehensive 150-Question
Multiple-Choice Examination on Evidence-Based
Practice for Advanced Nursing Professionals
,SECTION A: FOUNDATIONS OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (Questions 1-
25)
1. A nurse researcher is explaining the core components of evidence-based practice to a
group of nursing students. Which of the following correctly identifies the three main
pillars of EBP?
A) Research evidence, clinical guidelines, and institutional policies
B) Current research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
C) Systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies
D) Nursing theory, clinical experience, and patient satisfaction
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
Rationale: The three main components of EBP are current research, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences, which collectively enhance patient care outcomes. Evidence-based
practice combines these elements to create a holistic approach to patient care, ensuring that
decisions are informed by the best available evidence while also considering individual patient
needs.
2. A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice on a medical-surgical unit. According
to the EBP process, which of the following should the nurse perform FIRST?
A) Search the literature for relevant studies
B) Critically appraise the evidence
C) Ask a well-built clinical question
D) Implement recommendations into practice
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-C
Rationale: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is asking a burning clinical
question, typically formatted using the PICOT framework. Without a well-defined clinical
question, subsequent steps of searching, appraising, and implementing evidence lack direction
and purpose.
3. Which of the following represents the highest level of evidence in the evidence
hierarchy?
,A) Expert opinion
B) Randomized controlled trial
C) Systematic review of multiple randomized controlled trials
D) Case-control study
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-C
Rationale: Systematic reviews synthesizing multiple RCTs provide stronger evidence than a
single study or expert opinion. The hierarchy of evidence places systematic reviews and
metaanalyses at the top, followed by randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-
controlled studies, and case series/reports.
4. A nurse is developing a PICOT question to address a clinical concern about fall
prevention in elderly patients. Which component of PICOT does "fall rate" represent?
A) Population
B) Intervention
C) Comparison
D) Outcome
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-D
Rationale: In the PICOT framework, "O" represents the Outcome—the desired result or effect
of the intervention. The outcome should be specific and measurable, such as fall rate, infection
rate, or pain score.
5. A nursing team is evaluating research evidence for a new wound care protocol. A study
that uses a randomized controlled trial design would be classified at which level of
evidence?
A) Level I
B) Level II
C) Level III
D) Level IV
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
, Rationale: While hierarchies may vary, Level II is widely recognized in nursing literature as
evidence from at least one well-designed randomized controlled trial. Level I typically
represents systematic reviews or meta-analyses of multiple RCTs.
6. A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice to determine the best practice for
dressing changes. According to EBP, in what order should the nurse perform the
following steps?
A) Search for evidence → Ask a clinical question → Appraise evidence → Implement → Evaluate
B) Ask a clinical question → Search for evidence → Appraise evidence → Implement → Evaluate
C) Appraise evidence → Ask a clinical question → Search for evidence → Implement → Evaluate
D) Implement → Evaluate → Ask a clinical question → Search for evidence → Appraise
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
Rationale: The EBP process follows a sequential order: (1) Ask a clinical question, (2) Search for
and collect the most relevant best evidence, (3) Critically appraise the evidence, (4) Implement
recommendations, and (5) Review effectiveness.
7. Which of the following best describes the purpose of critically appraising evidence in
the EBP process?
A) To identify the most recent publications on a topic
B) To evaluate the validity, reliability, and applicability of research findings
C) To count the number of studies available on a topic
D) To determine the cost of implementing a new practice
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
Rationale: Critical appraisal involves evaluating the quality, validity, and applicability of
research evidence to determine whether findings are trustworthy and relevant for clinical
practice.
8. A nurse is using evidence-based practice to develop a PICOT question. Which of the
following best describes the "P" in PICOT?
Comprehensive Examination
Questions well written one
year 2025 /2026 updated
graded A+ Comprehensive 150-Question
Multiple-Choice Examination on Evidence-Based
Practice for Advanced Nursing Professionals
,SECTION A: FOUNDATIONS OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (Questions 1-
25)
1. A nurse researcher is explaining the core components of evidence-based practice to a
group of nursing students. Which of the following correctly identifies the three main
pillars of EBP?
A) Research evidence, clinical guidelines, and institutional policies
B) Current research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
C) Systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies
D) Nursing theory, clinical experience, and patient satisfaction
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
Rationale: The three main components of EBP are current research, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences, which collectively enhance patient care outcomes. Evidence-based
practice combines these elements to create a holistic approach to patient care, ensuring that
decisions are informed by the best available evidence while also considering individual patient
needs.
2. A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice on a medical-surgical unit. According
to the EBP process, which of the following should the nurse perform FIRST?
A) Search the literature for relevant studies
B) Critically appraise the evidence
C) Ask a well-built clinical question
D) Implement recommendations into practice
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-C
Rationale: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is asking a burning clinical
question, typically formatted using the PICOT framework. Without a well-defined clinical
question, subsequent steps of searching, appraising, and implementing evidence lack direction
and purpose.
3. Which of the following represents the highest level of evidence in the evidence
hierarchy?
,A) Expert opinion
B) Randomized controlled trial
C) Systematic review of multiple randomized controlled trials
D) Case-control study
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-C
Rationale: Systematic reviews synthesizing multiple RCTs provide stronger evidence than a
single study or expert opinion. The hierarchy of evidence places systematic reviews and
metaanalyses at the top, followed by randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-
controlled studies, and case series/reports.
4. A nurse is developing a PICOT question to address a clinical concern about fall
prevention in elderly patients. Which component of PICOT does "fall rate" represent?
A) Population
B) Intervention
C) Comparison
D) Outcome
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-D
Rationale: In the PICOT framework, "O" represents the Outcome—the desired result or effect
of the intervention. The outcome should be specific and measurable, such as fall rate, infection
rate, or pain score.
5. A nursing team is evaluating research evidence for a new wound care protocol. A study
that uses a randomized controlled trial design would be classified at which level of
evidence?
A) Level I
B) Level II
C) Level III
D) Level IV
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
, Rationale: While hierarchies may vary, Level II is widely recognized in nursing literature as
evidence from at least one well-designed randomized controlled trial. Level I typically
represents systematic reviews or meta-analyses of multiple RCTs.
6. A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice to determine the best practice for
dressing changes. According to EBP, in what order should the nurse perform the
following steps?
A) Search for evidence → Ask a clinical question → Appraise evidence → Implement → Evaluate
B) Ask a clinical question → Search for evidence → Appraise evidence → Implement → Evaluate
C) Appraise evidence → Ask a clinical question → Search for evidence → Implement → Evaluate
D) Implement → Evaluate → Ask a clinical question → Search for evidence → Appraise
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
Rationale: The EBP process follows a sequential order: (1) Ask a clinical question, (2) Search for
and collect the most relevant best evidence, (3) Critically appraise the evidence, (4) Implement
recommendations, and (5) Review effectiveness.
7. Which of the following best describes the purpose of critically appraising evidence in
the EBP process?
A) To identify the most recent publications on a topic
B) To evaluate the validity, reliability, and applicability of research findings
C) To count the number of studies available on a topic
D) To determine the cost of implementing a new practice
- detailed answer 100 % correct :-B
Rationale: Critical appraisal involves evaluating the quality, validity, and applicability of
research evidence to determine whether findings are trustworthy and relevant for clinical
practice.
8. A nurse is using evidence-based practice to develop a PICOT question. Which of the
following best describes the "P" in PICOT?
