NSG 448 Exam 1 V2 | NSG 448 Evidence-
Based Project Capstone | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG448 Exam 1) | Grand
Canyon University
1. Which of the following describes the first step in the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
process?
A. Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
B. Searching for the best evidence
C. Critically appraising the evidence
D. Integrating evidence into practice
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cultivating a spirit of inquiry is considered Step 0 of the EBP process.
Without a baseline culture of curiosity and questioning, the subsequent steps of EBP cannot
effectively occur within a healthcare organization. This step involves creating an
environment where nurses feel empowered to question current practices and seek better
alternatives.
2. A nurse researcher is evaluating the strength of evidence for a clinical intervention.
According to the hierarchy of evidence, which source provides the highest level of evidence?
A. Single Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
,B. Case-control studies
C. Opinions of expert committees
D. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of RCTs
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are considered Level 1 evidence
because they synthesize findings from multiple high-quality studies. This synthesis reduces
bias and provides a more comprehensive overview of the intervention’s effectiveness
compared to single studies. It is the gold standard for clinical decision-making in nursing
research.
3. When developing a clinical question using the PICOT format, which components should the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Population of interest
B. Intervention or area of interest
C. Comparison intervention or group
D. Outcome
E. Time
F. Statistical significance
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
,Explanation: The PICOT acronym stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. These five elements provide a structured framework for clinical
questions to ensure the literature search is focused and efficient. Statistical significance is a
result of research analysis rather than a component of the initial clinical question
formulation.
4. In research studies, what is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A. To ensure the study is profitable for the university
B. To select the participants for the study
C. To review the statistical analysis plan
D. To protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The IRB is a regulatory committee mandated by federal law to oversee
research involving human participants. Its main objective is to verify that ethical principles
such as beneficence, justice, and respect for persons are maintained. Researchers cannot
begin data collection until the IRB has approved their study protocol to ensure no harm
comes to the participants.
5. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report refers to the obligation to ‘do no harm’
and maximize possible benefits while minimizing potential harms?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
, C. Fidelity
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Beneficence is a core ethical principle requiring researchers to protect
participants from harm and ensure their well-being. It involves a careful risk-benefit
analysis to justify the conduct of the study. This principle ensures that the potential
knowledge gained from research outweighs any physical or psychological risks to the
subjects.
6. A nurse is conducting a study to see if a new wound dressing reduces healing time
compared to standard gauze. In this study, ‘healing time’ is which type of variable?
A. Independent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Dependent variable
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome or effect that the researcher is
interested in measuring. In this scenario, the healing time depends on the type of dressing
applied to the wound. The independent variable would be the type of dressing, as it is the
factor being manipulated by the researcher.
Based Project Capstone | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NSG448 Exam 1) | Grand
Canyon University
1. Which of the following describes the first step in the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
process?
A. Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
B. Searching for the best evidence
C. Critically appraising the evidence
D. Integrating evidence into practice
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cultivating a spirit of inquiry is considered Step 0 of the EBP process.
Without a baseline culture of curiosity and questioning, the subsequent steps of EBP cannot
effectively occur within a healthcare organization. This step involves creating an
environment where nurses feel empowered to question current practices and seek better
alternatives.
2. A nurse researcher is evaluating the strength of evidence for a clinical intervention.
According to the hierarchy of evidence, which source provides the highest level of evidence?
A. Single Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
,B. Case-control studies
C. Opinions of expert committees
D. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of RCTs
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are considered Level 1 evidence
because they synthesize findings from multiple high-quality studies. This synthesis reduces
bias and provides a more comprehensive overview of the intervention’s effectiveness
compared to single studies. It is the gold standard for clinical decision-making in nursing
research.
3. When developing a clinical question using the PICOT format, which components should the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Population of interest
B. Intervention or area of interest
C. Comparison intervention or group
D. Outcome
E. Time
F. Statistical significance
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
,Explanation: The PICOT acronym stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. These five elements provide a structured framework for clinical
questions to ensure the literature search is focused and efficient. Statistical significance is a
result of research analysis rather than a component of the initial clinical question
formulation.
4. In research studies, what is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A. To ensure the study is profitable for the university
B. To select the participants for the study
C. To review the statistical analysis plan
D. To protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The IRB is a regulatory committee mandated by federal law to oversee
research involving human participants. Its main objective is to verify that ethical principles
such as beneficence, justice, and respect for persons are maintained. Researchers cannot
begin data collection until the IRB has approved their study protocol to ensure no harm
comes to the participants.
5. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report refers to the obligation to ‘do no harm’
and maximize possible benefits while minimizing potential harms?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
, C. Fidelity
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Beneficence is a core ethical principle requiring researchers to protect
participants from harm and ensure their well-being. It involves a careful risk-benefit
analysis to justify the conduct of the study. This principle ensures that the potential
knowledge gained from research outweighs any physical or psychological risks to the
subjects.
6. A nurse is conducting a study to see if a new wound dressing reduces healing time
compared to standard gauze. In this study, ‘healing time’ is which type of variable?
A. Independent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Dependent variable
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome or effect that the researcher is
interested in measuring. In this scenario, the healing time depends on the type of dressing
applied to the wound. The independent variable would be the type of dressing, as it is the
factor being manipulated by the researcher.
