Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Exam –
2026 Edition
Question 1
A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the
following represents the correct order of steps in the EBP process?
A) Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
B) Acquire, Ask, Appraise, Apply, Assess
C) Appraise, Ask, Acquire, Apply, Assess
D) Ask, Appraise, Acquire, Apply, Assess
Correct Answer: A) Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
Rationale: The correct order of the EBP process is: Ask a clinical question, Acquire the best evidence,
Appraise the evidence for validity and applicability, Apply the evidence to practice, and Assess the
outcomes. This systematic approach ensures that evidence is critically evaluated before implementation.
Question 2
A nurse is formulating a clinical question using the PICO format. What does "P" stand for in PICO?
A) Prognosis
B) Population/Patient problem
C) Prevention
D) Procedure
Correct Answer: B) Population/Patient problem
Rationale: PICO is an acronym for: P = Population/Patient problem, I = Intervention, C = Comparison, O =
Outcome. This framework helps structure clinical questions to facilitate evidence searches. The
population describes the specific patient group or problem of interest.
Question 3
A nurse is searching for evidence to support a change in practice. Which of the following sources
provides the highest level of evidence?
,A) Expert opinion
B) Systematic review and meta-analysis
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Case-control study
Correct Answer: B) Systematic review and meta-analysis
Rationale: In the hierarchy of evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled
trials represent the highest level of evidence. They synthesize multiple studies to provide a
comprehensive overview of the evidence. Expert opinion is the lowest level. Randomized controlled trials
are high-level but not as high as systematic reviews.
Question 4
A nurse is appraising a research article. Which of the following is the most important criterion for
evaluating the validity of a randomized controlled trial?
A) The sample size
B) The statistical significance of the results
C) The randomization process and blinding
D) The author's credentials
Correct Answer: C) The randomization process and blinding
Rationale: The validity of a randomized controlled trial depends on the methodological quality, including
proper randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. These factors reduce bias and increase the
reliability of the results. Sample size and statistical significance are important but secondary to
methodological rigor.
Question 5
A nurse is implementing a new evidence-based protocol for pressure ulcer prevention. Which of the
following is essential for successful implementation?
A) Mandating the protocol without staff input
B) Providing education and training to staff
C) Implementing the protocol immediately
D) Using the protocol only for high-risk patients
Correct Answer: B) Providing education and training to staff
, Rationale: Successful implementation of evidence-based practice requires education and training of staff
to ensure understanding and buy-in. Mandating without input can lead to resistance. Implementation
should be planned and systematic. The protocol should be applied to all relevant patients, not just high-
risk ones.
Question 6
A nurse is evaluating the strength of a body of evidence. Which of the following is the most important
factor in determining the strength of evidence?
A) The number of studies available
B) The consistency of findings across studies
C) The reputation of the researchers
D) The publication date of the studies
Correct Answer: B) The consistency of findings across studies
Rationale: The strength of evidence is determined by the quality, quantity, and consistency of the
findings. Consistent findings across multiple high-quality studies provide strong evidence. The number of
studies and reputation of researchers are less important than consistency and methodological rigor.
Question 7
A nurse is using the GRADE system to evaluate evidence for a clinical guideline. What does GRADE stand
for?
A) Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation
B) Global Research Assessment for Diagnostic Evidence
C) Guideline Review and Appraisal for Decision Excellence
D) General Recommendations and Assessment for Diagnostic Evidence
Correct Answer: A) Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation
Rationale: GRADE is a framework for rating the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations in
clinical guidelines. It provides a systematic and transparent approach to grading evidence. The correct
acronym is Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.
Question 8
A nurse is appraising a qualitative research study. Which of the following criteria is most appropriate for
evaluating qualitative research?
2026 Edition
Question 1
A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the
following represents the correct order of steps in the EBP process?
A) Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
B) Acquire, Ask, Appraise, Apply, Assess
C) Appraise, Ask, Acquire, Apply, Assess
D) Ask, Appraise, Acquire, Apply, Assess
Correct Answer: A) Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess
Rationale: The correct order of the EBP process is: Ask a clinical question, Acquire the best evidence,
Appraise the evidence for validity and applicability, Apply the evidence to practice, and Assess the
outcomes. This systematic approach ensures that evidence is critically evaluated before implementation.
Question 2
A nurse is formulating a clinical question using the PICO format. What does "P" stand for in PICO?
A) Prognosis
B) Population/Patient problem
C) Prevention
D) Procedure
Correct Answer: B) Population/Patient problem
Rationale: PICO is an acronym for: P = Population/Patient problem, I = Intervention, C = Comparison, O =
Outcome. This framework helps structure clinical questions to facilitate evidence searches. The
population describes the specific patient group or problem of interest.
Question 3
A nurse is searching for evidence to support a change in practice. Which of the following sources
provides the highest level of evidence?
,A) Expert opinion
B) Systematic review and meta-analysis
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Case-control study
Correct Answer: B) Systematic review and meta-analysis
Rationale: In the hierarchy of evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled
trials represent the highest level of evidence. They synthesize multiple studies to provide a
comprehensive overview of the evidence. Expert opinion is the lowest level. Randomized controlled trials
are high-level but not as high as systematic reviews.
Question 4
A nurse is appraising a research article. Which of the following is the most important criterion for
evaluating the validity of a randomized controlled trial?
A) The sample size
B) The statistical significance of the results
C) The randomization process and blinding
D) The author's credentials
Correct Answer: C) The randomization process and blinding
Rationale: The validity of a randomized controlled trial depends on the methodological quality, including
proper randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. These factors reduce bias and increase the
reliability of the results. Sample size and statistical significance are important but secondary to
methodological rigor.
Question 5
A nurse is implementing a new evidence-based protocol for pressure ulcer prevention. Which of the
following is essential for successful implementation?
A) Mandating the protocol without staff input
B) Providing education and training to staff
C) Implementing the protocol immediately
D) Using the protocol only for high-risk patients
Correct Answer: B) Providing education and training to staff
, Rationale: Successful implementation of evidence-based practice requires education and training of staff
to ensure understanding and buy-in. Mandating without input can lead to resistance. Implementation
should be planned and systematic. The protocol should be applied to all relevant patients, not just high-
risk ones.
Question 6
A nurse is evaluating the strength of a body of evidence. Which of the following is the most important
factor in determining the strength of evidence?
A) The number of studies available
B) The consistency of findings across studies
C) The reputation of the researchers
D) The publication date of the studies
Correct Answer: B) The consistency of findings across studies
Rationale: The strength of evidence is determined by the quality, quantity, and consistency of the
findings. Consistent findings across multiple high-quality studies provide strong evidence. The number of
studies and reputation of researchers are less important than consistency and methodological rigor.
Question 7
A nurse is using the GRADE system to evaluate evidence for a clinical guideline. What does GRADE stand
for?
A) Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation
B) Global Research Assessment for Diagnostic Evidence
C) Guideline Review and Appraisal for Decision Excellence
D) General Recommendations and Assessment for Diagnostic Evidence
Correct Answer: A) Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation
Rationale: GRADE is a framework for rating the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations in
clinical guidelines. It provides a systematic and transparent approach to grading evidence. The correct
acronym is Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.
Question 8
A nurse is appraising a qualitative research study. Which of the following criteria is most appropriate for
evaluating qualitative research?
