Galen College NSG 4000 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Evidence-
Based Research | Nursing
1. Which of the following is the primary goal of Evidence-Based Practice
(EBP) in the clinical setting?
A) Reducing the cost of healthcare supplies
B) Increasing the workload of nursing staff
C) Improving patient outcomes through validated research
D) Ensuring all nurses have advanced research degrees
Correct Answer: Improving patient outcomes through validated research
Rationale: The primary driver of EBP is to improve the quality of care and
patient outcomes by integrating the best available research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient preferences. Cost reduction and workload are
not the primary goals, and EBP does not require advanced research degrees.
2. In the PICOT format for framing clinical questions, what does the "I"
represent?
A) Institution
B) Intervention
C) Implementation
D) Investigation
Correct Answer: Intervention
Rationale: In the PICOT acronym (Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, Time), the "I" stands for the intervention or issue being studied.
This is the core treatment, exposure, or practice being examined.
,3. A nurse researcher is looking for the "gold standard" of evidence to
support a change in wound care protocols. Which source represents the
highest level of evidence?
A) A single randomized controlled trial (RCT)
B) A systematic review or meta-analysis of RCTs
C) A qualitative study exploring patient experiences
D) An expert opinion from a wound care specialist
Correct Answer: A systematic review or meta-analysis of RCTs
Rationale: A systematic review or meta-analysis of multiple RCTs is
considered the highest level of evidence (Level I) because it synthesizes
findings from several high-quality studies, providing the strongest and most
reliable evidence to guide practice.
4. A nurse is formulating a clinical question using PICOT. Which element is
represented by the length of stay in a study comparing two wound care
protocols?
A) Population
B) Intervention
C) Comparison
D) Outcome
Correct Answer: Outcome
Rationale: The "O" in PICOT represents the Outcome, which is the result
being measured, such as length of stay, infection rate, healing time, or
patient satisfaction.
,5. Which of the following is the first step in the Evidence-Based Practice
process?
A) Searching for the best evidence
B) Appraising the evidence
C) Asking a clinical question
D) Applying the evidence to practice
Correct Answer: Asking a clinical question
Rationale: The EBP process begins with asking a clinical question, often using
the PICOT format. This is followed by searching for and appraising the
evidence, applying it to practice, and evaluating the outcomes.
6. In quantitative research, the dependent variable is defined as:
A) The variable that is manipulated by the researcher
B) The variable that is measured to see if it is affected by the independent
variable
C) The variable that is controlled by the researcher
D) A variable that is not part of the study
Correct Answer: The variable that is measured to see if it is affected by the
independent variable
Rationale: In quantitative research, the dependent variable is the outcome or
response that is measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.
The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or changed by the
researcher.
, 7. A nurse is reading a research article that describes a study exploring the
lived experiences of patients with chronic pain. The researcher uses in-depth
interviews to collect data. This is an example of which type of research?
A) Quantitative research
B) Experimental research
C) Qualitative research
D) Correlational research
Correct Answer: Qualitative research
Rationale: Qualitative research is used to explore and understand the
meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. It
focuses on subjective experiences and uses methods like interviews and
observations.
8. According to the hierarchy of evidence, a well-designed randomized
controlled trial (RCT) is considered:
A) Level I
B) Level II
C) Level III
D) Level IV
Correct Answer: Level II
Rationale: In the hierarchy of evidence, a well-designed randomized
controlled trial (RCT) is considered Level II evidence. Systematic reviews and
meta-analyses of RCTs are Level I.
9. A nurse is appraising a research article and finds that the study has a high
risk of bias. This means that:
Based Research | Nursing
1. Which of the following is the primary goal of Evidence-Based Practice
(EBP) in the clinical setting?
A) Reducing the cost of healthcare supplies
B) Increasing the workload of nursing staff
C) Improving patient outcomes through validated research
D) Ensuring all nurses have advanced research degrees
Correct Answer: Improving patient outcomes through validated research
Rationale: The primary driver of EBP is to improve the quality of care and
patient outcomes by integrating the best available research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient preferences. Cost reduction and workload are
not the primary goals, and EBP does not require advanced research degrees.
2. In the PICOT format for framing clinical questions, what does the "I"
represent?
A) Institution
B) Intervention
C) Implementation
D) Investigation
Correct Answer: Intervention
Rationale: In the PICOT acronym (Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, Time), the "I" stands for the intervention or issue being studied.
This is the core treatment, exposure, or practice being examined.
,3. A nurse researcher is looking for the "gold standard" of evidence to
support a change in wound care protocols. Which source represents the
highest level of evidence?
A) A single randomized controlled trial (RCT)
B) A systematic review or meta-analysis of RCTs
C) A qualitative study exploring patient experiences
D) An expert opinion from a wound care specialist
Correct Answer: A systematic review or meta-analysis of RCTs
Rationale: A systematic review or meta-analysis of multiple RCTs is
considered the highest level of evidence (Level I) because it synthesizes
findings from several high-quality studies, providing the strongest and most
reliable evidence to guide practice.
4. A nurse is formulating a clinical question using PICOT. Which element is
represented by the length of stay in a study comparing two wound care
protocols?
A) Population
B) Intervention
C) Comparison
D) Outcome
Correct Answer: Outcome
Rationale: The "O" in PICOT represents the Outcome, which is the result
being measured, such as length of stay, infection rate, healing time, or
patient satisfaction.
,5. Which of the following is the first step in the Evidence-Based Practice
process?
A) Searching for the best evidence
B) Appraising the evidence
C) Asking a clinical question
D) Applying the evidence to practice
Correct Answer: Asking a clinical question
Rationale: The EBP process begins with asking a clinical question, often using
the PICOT format. This is followed by searching for and appraising the
evidence, applying it to practice, and evaluating the outcomes.
6. In quantitative research, the dependent variable is defined as:
A) The variable that is manipulated by the researcher
B) The variable that is measured to see if it is affected by the independent
variable
C) The variable that is controlled by the researcher
D) A variable that is not part of the study
Correct Answer: The variable that is measured to see if it is affected by the
independent variable
Rationale: In quantitative research, the dependent variable is the outcome or
response that is measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.
The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or changed by the
researcher.
, 7. A nurse is reading a research article that describes a study exploring the
lived experiences of patients with chronic pain. The researcher uses in-depth
interviews to collect data. This is an example of which type of research?
A) Quantitative research
B) Experimental research
C) Qualitative research
D) Correlational research
Correct Answer: Qualitative research
Rationale: Qualitative research is used to explore and understand the
meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. It
focuses on subjective experiences and uses methods like interviews and
observations.
8. According to the hierarchy of evidence, a well-designed randomized
controlled trial (RCT) is considered:
A) Level I
B) Level II
C) Level III
D) Level IV
Correct Answer: Level II
Rationale: In the hierarchy of evidence, a well-designed randomized
controlled trial (RCT) is considered Level II evidence. Systematic reviews and
meta-analyses of RCTs are Level I.
9. A nurse is appraising a research article and finds that the study has a high
risk of bias. This means that:
