BSN3A Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
Exam Questions & [Verified Answers],
Plus Explained Rationales | 2026/2027
Latest Update | Instant Download PDF
1. The key components of evidence-based practice (EBP) are:
A) Best external evidence and professional expertise
B) Best external evidence and patient values and expectations
C) Professional expertise and patient values and expectations
D) Best external evidence, professional expertise, and patient values and expectations
Answer: D) Best external evidence, professional expertise, and patient values and
expectations
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates three essential components: the best
available research evidence, the clinician's professional expertise, and the patient's
values, preferences, and expectations. This triad ensures that clinical decisions are
informed by research, guided by clinical judgment, and aligned with patient priorities .
2. The first step in the evidence-based practice process is:
A) Asking a clinical question
B) Searching for evidence
C) Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
D) Appraising the evidence
Answer: C) Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
Rationale: The very first step of EBP is cultivating a spirit of inquiry . This foundational
step involves questioning current practices and being curious about whether there is
better evidence to guide care. Without this mindset, the EBP process cannot begin.
,3. The "P" in PICOT stands for:
A) Problem
B) Population of interest
C) Procedure
D) Priority
Answer: B) Population of interest
Rationale: The 'P' in PICOT stands for Patient, Population, or Problem . It identifies the
target group for the clinical question and is essential for focusing the search for
evidence.
4. Which of the following is at the top of the hierarchy of evidence?
A) Case reports
B) Expert opinion
C) Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
D) Single descriptive studies
Answer: C) Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs are at the top of the evidence
pyramid, providing the highest level of evidence . They synthesize findings from multiple
high-quality studies to produce the most reliable estimates of treatment effects.
5. The primary purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to:
A) Review the scientific merit of completed research
B) Assure that vulnerable groups are never included in research
C) Protect researchers from potential litigation
D) Protect the rights of research participants
Answer: D) Protect the rights of research participants
Rationale: The primary purpose of the IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of human
research participants. The IRB reviews research protocols to ensure risks are minimized,
informed consent is obtained, and participants' rights are protected .
,6. The Belmont Report established which core ethical principles for research?
A) Confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy
B) Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice
C) Autonomy, nonmaleficence, and fidelity
D) Beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice
Answer: B) Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice
Rationale: The Belmont Report identifies three core ethical principles: Respect for
Persons (autonomy), Beneficence (maximizing benefits and minimizing harms), and
Justice (fair distribution of risks and benefits) .
7. Which of the following is an example of a "problem-focused trigger" for
implementing an EBP project?
A) A new research finding published in a journal
B) A clinical practice guideline
C) A rise in patient falls on a unit
D) A systematic review
Answer: C) A rise in patient falls on a unit
Rationale: Problem-focused triggers arise from clinical problems such as quality
indicators, patient safety events, or staff concerns. A rise in patient falls is a clinical
problem that may trigger an EBP project to find evidence-based fall prevention
strategies .
8. Which type of research design provides the strongest evidence for causality?
A) Correlational design
B) Quasi-experimental design
C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D) Descriptive design
Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
, Rationale: The RCT provides the strongest evidence for causality because randomization
helps control for confounding variables and bias. It is considered the "gold standard" for
determining cause-and-effect relationships .
9. Secondary research is defined as:
A) Research conducted in secondary schools
B) Research that uses data originally collected for another purpose
C) Research that is less rigorous than primary research
D) Research that follows primary research
Answer: B) Research that uses data originally collected for another purpose
Rationale: Secondary research uses data that was originally collected for another
purpose . This includes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and integrative reviews that
synthesize existing research findings.
10. A p-value of less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) generally indicates:
A) The results are due to chance
B) The null hypothesis is accepted
C) The study has low reliability
D) The results are statistically significant
Answer: D) The results are statistically significant
Rationale: A p-value less than 0.05 indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that
the results occurred by chance. This is the conventional threshold for statistical
significance, and the null hypothesis is rejected .
11. Which of the following best describes the difference between research
utilization and evidence-based practice?
A) Research utilization focuses on applying research findings; EBP integrates research
with clinical expertise and patient preferences
B) Research utilization is more rigorous than EBP
Exam Questions & [Verified Answers],
Plus Explained Rationales | 2026/2027
Latest Update | Instant Download PDF
1. The key components of evidence-based practice (EBP) are:
A) Best external evidence and professional expertise
B) Best external evidence and patient values and expectations
C) Professional expertise and patient values and expectations
D) Best external evidence, professional expertise, and patient values and expectations
Answer: D) Best external evidence, professional expertise, and patient values and
expectations
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates three essential components: the best
available research evidence, the clinician's professional expertise, and the patient's
values, preferences, and expectations. This triad ensures that clinical decisions are
informed by research, guided by clinical judgment, and aligned with patient priorities .
2. The first step in the evidence-based practice process is:
A) Asking a clinical question
B) Searching for evidence
C) Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
D) Appraising the evidence
Answer: C) Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
Rationale: The very first step of EBP is cultivating a spirit of inquiry . This foundational
step involves questioning current practices and being curious about whether there is
better evidence to guide care. Without this mindset, the EBP process cannot begin.
,3. The "P" in PICOT stands for:
A) Problem
B) Population of interest
C) Procedure
D) Priority
Answer: B) Population of interest
Rationale: The 'P' in PICOT stands for Patient, Population, or Problem . It identifies the
target group for the clinical question and is essential for focusing the search for
evidence.
4. Which of the following is at the top of the hierarchy of evidence?
A) Case reports
B) Expert opinion
C) Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
D) Single descriptive studies
Answer: C) Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs are at the top of the evidence
pyramid, providing the highest level of evidence . They synthesize findings from multiple
high-quality studies to produce the most reliable estimates of treatment effects.
5. The primary purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to:
A) Review the scientific merit of completed research
B) Assure that vulnerable groups are never included in research
C) Protect researchers from potential litigation
D) Protect the rights of research participants
Answer: D) Protect the rights of research participants
Rationale: The primary purpose of the IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of human
research participants. The IRB reviews research protocols to ensure risks are minimized,
informed consent is obtained, and participants' rights are protected .
,6. The Belmont Report established which core ethical principles for research?
A) Confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy
B) Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice
C) Autonomy, nonmaleficence, and fidelity
D) Beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice
Answer: B) Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice
Rationale: The Belmont Report identifies three core ethical principles: Respect for
Persons (autonomy), Beneficence (maximizing benefits and minimizing harms), and
Justice (fair distribution of risks and benefits) .
7. Which of the following is an example of a "problem-focused trigger" for
implementing an EBP project?
A) A new research finding published in a journal
B) A clinical practice guideline
C) A rise in patient falls on a unit
D) A systematic review
Answer: C) A rise in patient falls on a unit
Rationale: Problem-focused triggers arise from clinical problems such as quality
indicators, patient safety events, or staff concerns. A rise in patient falls is a clinical
problem that may trigger an EBP project to find evidence-based fall prevention
strategies .
8. Which type of research design provides the strongest evidence for causality?
A) Correlational design
B) Quasi-experimental design
C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D) Descriptive design
Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
, Rationale: The RCT provides the strongest evidence for causality because randomization
helps control for confounding variables and bias. It is considered the "gold standard" for
determining cause-and-effect relationships .
9. Secondary research is defined as:
A) Research conducted in secondary schools
B) Research that uses data originally collected for another purpose
C) Research that is less rigorous than primary research
D) Research that follows primary research
Answer: B) Research that uses data originally collected for another purpose
Rationale: Secondary research uses data that was originally collected for another
purpose . This includes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and integrative reviews that
synthesize existing research findings.
10. A p-value of less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) generally indicates:
A) The results are due to chance
B) The null hypothesis is accepted
C) The study has low reliability
D) The results are statistically significant
Answer: D) The results are statistically significant
Rationale: A p-value less than 0.05 indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that
the results occurred by chance. This is the conventional threshold for statistical
significance, and the null hypothesis is rejected .
11. Which of the following best describes the difference between research
utilization and evidence-based practice?
A) Research utilization focuses on applying research findings; EBP integrates research
with clinical expertise and patient preferences
B) Research utilization is more rigorous than EBP
