NSG 501 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS, VERIFIED
ANSWERS & COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Define Evidence Based Practice (EBP). - correct answer ✔✔the integration of clinical expertise,
patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision- making process for patient
care
Identify basic components of EBP. - correct answer ✔✔- clinical expertise
- patient values
- best research evidence
Identify the link between EBP and quality care. - correct answer ✔✔- Improves quality, safety,
and patient outcomes
- Increases nurse satisfaction
- Reduces costs
Describe the importance of basing practice changes on evidence. - correct answer ✔✔-
Research: using disciplined methods to solve a problem and answer questions
- Nursing Research: it's the systemic inquiry to develop knowledge about the issues of
importance to the nursing profession.
- Individual clinical expertise, best external evidence, and patient values and
expectations.
What are the steps to EBP. - correct answer ✔✔0. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry.
1. Ask a clinical question in PICOT format.
2. Search for the most relevant evidence.
3. Critically appraise the evidence you gather.
,4. Integrate all evidence with your clinical expertise and patient preferences and values.
5. Evaluate the outcomes of practice decisions or changes using evidence.
6. Share the outcomes with others.
Level 1 evidence - correct answer ✔✔- systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized
controlled trials (RCTs)
- evidence based clinical practice guidelines based on systematic reviews
Level 2 evidence - correct answer ✔✔randomized controlled trials
Level 3 evidence - correct answer ✔✔control trial; no randomization
Level 4 evidence - correct answer ✔✔single non-experiment study
- correlation study
- cohort study
- case control
Level 5 evidence - correct answer ✔✔Systematic review of descriptive/qualitative studies
Level 6 evidence - correct answer ✔✔single descriptive/qualitative study
Qualitative study - correct answer ✔✔more holistic and focused on exploring individual
thoughts/ perspectives / experience
Descriptive study - correct answer ✔✔data may be collected qualitatively - often through
surveys, interviews and observation but analyzed quantitatively (%, averages, etc)
, level 7 evidence - correct answer ✔✔expert opinion
What is a PICO(T) question? - correct answer ✔✔a clinically relevant question that provides a
way to formulate a researchable question. it provides the framework for the nurse/student to
search literature on a scientific topic
parts of the PICO(T) question - correct answer ✔✔P- (specific) patient population of interest
I- intervention or issue of interest
C- comparison with another intervention or issue
O- outcome of interest
T- timeframe (optional)
Define the microsystem. - correct answer ✔✔- synthesis of the individual, team, and patient
- embed improvement in everyday functioning
- building blocks of a "system"
(i.e. the clinical unit and everyone involved with a patient)
Discuss the assessment of a clinical microsystem including the 5 P's. - correct answer ✔✔-
Purpose
- Patients
- Processes
- Professionals
- Patterns
Discuss the role of the microsystem in providing high quality (care?). - correct answer ✔✔-
Essential building blocks of health system and the larger organization
- Small yet functional front-line units that provide health care to patients
ANSWERS & COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Define Evidence Based Practice (EBP). - correct answer ✔✔the integration of clinical expertise,
patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision- making process for patient
care
Identify basic components of EBP. - correct answer ✔✔- clinical expertise
- patient values
- best research evidence
Identify the link between EBP and quality care. - correct answer ✔✔- Improves quality, safety,
and patient outcomes
- Increases nurse satisfaction
- Reduces costs
Describe the importance of basing practice changes on evidence. - correct answer ✔✔-
Research: using disciplined methods to solve a problem and answer questions
- Nursing Research: it's the systemic inquiry to develop knowledge about the issues of
importance to the nursing profession.
- Individual clinical expertise, best external evidence, and patient values and
expectations.
What are the steps to EBP. - correct answer ✔✔0. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry.
1. Ask a clinical question in PICOT format.
2. Search for the most relevant evidence.
3. Critically appraise the evidence you gather.
,4. Integrate all evidence with your clinical expertise and patient preferences and values.
5. Evaluate the outcomes of practice decisions or changes using evidence.
6. Share the outcomes with others.
Level 1 evidence - correct answer ✔✔- systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized
controlled trials (RCTs)
- evidence based clinical practice guidelines based on systematic reviews
Level 2 evidence - correct answer ✔✔randomized controlled trials
Level 3 evidence - correct answer ✔✔control trial; no randomization
Level 4 evidence - correct answer ✔✔single non-experiment study
- correlation study
- cohort study
- case control
Level 5 evidence - correct answer ✔✔Systematic review of descriptive/qualitative studies
Level 6 evidence - correct answer ✔✔single descriptive/qualitative study
Qualitative study - correct answer ✔✔more holistic and focused on exploring individual
thoughts/ perspectives / experience
Descriptive study - correct answer ✔✔data may be collected qualitatively - often through
surveys, interviews and observation but analyzed quantitatively (%, averages, etc)
, level 7 evidence - correct answer ✔✔expert opinion
What is a PICO(T) question? - correct answer ✔✔a clinically relevant question that provides a
way to formulate a researchable question. it provides the framework for the nurse/student to
search literature on a scientific topic
parts of the PICO(T) question - correct answer ✔✔P- (specific) patient population of interest
I- intervention or issue of interest
C- comparison with another intervention or issue
O- outcome of interest
T- timeframe (optional)
Define the microsystem. - correct answer ✔✔- synthesis of the individual, team, and patient
- embed improvement in everyday functioning
- building blocks of a "system"
(i.e. the clinical unit and everyone involved with a patient)
Discuss the assessment of a clinical microsystem including the 5 P's. - correct answer ✔✔-
Purpose
- Patients
- Processes
- Professionals
- Patterns
Discuss the role of the microsystem in providing high quality (care?). - correct answer ✔✔-
Essential building blocks of health system and the larger organization
- Small yet functional front-line units that provide health care to patients
