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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 492 – NURSING
CAPSTONE FOR POST-LICENSURE STUDENTS
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES |100
GUARANTEED PASS 2026/27
Covers Synthesis of Nursing Knowledge, Evidence-Based Practice,
Quality Improvement, Leadership, Professional Role Integration,
Healthcare Policy, Ethics, Interprofessional Collaboration, Population
Health, and Transition to Professional Practice
QUESTION 1
A nurse is completing a capstone project on improving patient outcomes
in a medical-surgical unit. Which step should the nurse take first in the
evidence-based practice process?
A) Search for evidence
B) Appraise the evidence
C) Formulate a clinical question using PICO format
D) Implement the change
Verified Answer: C
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Rationale: The first step in the EBP process is formulating a clinical
question in PICO format (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome).
This guides the search for evidence and ensures a focused approach.
Implementation occurs after evidence appraisal.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is leading a quality improvement project to reduce catheter-
associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Which is the most
appropriate evidence-based intervention?
A) Insert urinary catheters for all patients
B) Use sterile technique for catheter insertion and remove catheters as
soon as possible
C) Change catheters daily
D) Use antibiotic ointment at the insertion site
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice for CAUTI prevention includes
using sterile technique for insertion, maintaining a closed drainage
system, and removing the catheter as soon as it is no longer needed.
Daily changes and antibiotic ointment are not recommended.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is transitioning from an LVN to an RN role. Which change in
scope of practice is most significant?
A) LVNs can perform comprehensive assessments; RNs cannot
B) RNs can develop care plans and perform comprehensive assessments
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C) LVNs can administer IV medications; RNs cannot
D) There is no difference in scope of practice
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: The RN scope includes comprehensive assessment, care
planning, and delegation. LVNs provide care under RN supervision and
do not perform initial comprehensive assessments or develop care plans.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a new evidence-based practice
guideline. Which outcome measure is most appropriate?
A) Staff satisfaction
B) Patient outcomes
C) Cost savings
D) All of the above
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation of EBP guidelines should include patient
outcomes, staff satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. All of these are
important for sustaining the change.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is presenting a capstone project to hospital leadership. Which
communication strategy is most effective?
A) Use complex medical terminology
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B) Provide a clear, concise summary with data and recommendations
C) Focus only on personal opinions
D) Avoid discussing challenges
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Effective presentations to leadership should be clear, concise,
and data-driven. Personal opinions and avoiding challenges are not
professional. Recommendations should be evidence-based.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is implementing a fall prevention program. Which intervention
is most effective?
A) Bed alarms and frequent rounding
B) Restraints
C) Keeping the bed in the highest position
D) Leaving the room dark
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Evidence-based fall prevention includes bed alarms, frequent
rounding, low beds, and patient education. Restraints and high beds
increase fall risk. Adequate lighting is important.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is reviewing a research article for an EBP project. Which factor
indicates a high-quality study?
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 492 – NURSING
CAPSTONE FOR POST-LICENSURE STUDENTS
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES |100
GUARANTEED PASS 2026/27
Covers Synthesis of Nursing Knowledge, Evidence-Based Practice,
Quality Improvement, Leadership, Professional Role Integration,
Healthcare Policy, Ethics, Interprofessional Collaboration, Population
Health, and Transition to Professional Practice
QUESTION 1
A nurse is completing a capstone project on improving patient outcomes
in a medical-surgical unit. Which step should the nurse take first in the
evidence-based practice process?
A) Search for evidence
B) Appraise the evidence
C) Formulate a clinical question using PICO format
D) Implement the change
Verified Answer: C
,2 | Page
Rationale: The first step in the EBP process is formulating a clinical
question in PICO format (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome).
This guides the search for evidence and ensures a focused approach.
Implementation occurs after evidence appraisal.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is leading a quality improvement project to reduce catheter-
associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Which is the most
appropriate evidence-based intervention?
A) Insert urinary catheters for all patients
B) Use sterile technique for catheter insertion and remove catheters as
soon as possible
C) Change catheters daily
D) Use antibiotic ointment at the insertion site
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice for CAUTI prevention includes
using sterile technique for insertion, maintaining a closed drainage
system, and removing the catheter as soon as it is no longer needed.
Daily changes and antibiotic ointment are not recommended.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is transitioning from an LVN to an RN role. Which change in
scope of practice is most significant?
A) LVNs can perform comprehensive assessments; RNs cannot
B) RNs can develop care plans and perform comprehensive assessments
,3 | Page
C) LVNs can administer IV medications; RNs cannot
D) There is no difference in scope of practice
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: The RN scope includes comprehensive assessment, care
planning, and delegation. LVNs provide care under RN supervision and
do not perform initial comprehensive assessments or develop care plans.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a new evidence-based practice
guideline. Which outcome measure is most appropriate?
A) Staff satisfaction
B) Patient outcomes
C) Cost savings
D) All of the above
Verified Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation of EBP guidelines should include patient
outcomes, staff satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. All of these are
important for sustaining the change.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is presenting a capstone project to hospital leadership. Which
communication strategy is most effective?
A) Use complex medical terminology
, 4 | Page
B) Provide a clear, concise summary with data and recommendations
C) Focus only on personal opinions
D) Avoid discussing challenges
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Effective presentations to leadership should be clear, concise,
and data-driven. Personal opinions and avoiding challenges are not
professional. Recommendations should be evidence-based.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is implementing a fall prevention program. Which intervention
is most effective?
A) Bed alarms and frequent rounding
B) Restraints
C) Keeping the bed in the highest position
D) Leaving the room dark
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Evidence-based fall prevention includes bed alarms, frequent
rounding, low beds, and patient education. Restraints and high beds
increase fall risk. Adequate lighting is important.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is reviewing a research article for an EBP project. Which factor
indicates a high-quality study?
