NSG 3160 FINAL EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A nurse researcher is conducting a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new wound
dressing compared to the standard of care. Which component of the PICOT question does the
‘standard of care’ represent?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the PICOT format, ‘C’ stands for Comparison, which is the
alternative to the intervention being tested, such as the current standard of care or a
placebo.
2. Which level of evidence is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the hierarchy of evidence for
determining the effectiveness of an intervention?
A. Expert opinion of consensus committees
B. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of RCTs
,C. Single correlational or observational studies
D. Case-control and cohort studies
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all relevant
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) occupy Level I, the highest level in the evidence
hierarchy.
3. In a research study, a ‘Type II error’ occurs when the researcher does which of the
following?
A. Rejects a true null hypothesis
B. Correctly accepts a true null hypothesis
C. Correctly rejects a false null hypothesis
D. Accepts a false null hypothesis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A Type II error (false negative) occurs when the researcher fails
to reject the null hypothesis even though it is actually false.
4. A researcher is using a tool to measure blood pressure, but the cuff is consistently
calibrated 10 mmHg too high. This issue represents a problem with:
A. External Validity
B. Internal Validity
, C. Reliability
D. Sensitivity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. If a tool
consistently provides the same (even if wrong) measurement, it has reliability but lacks
validity.
5. Which qualitative research tradition focuses on the lived experience of individuals
regarding a specific phenomenon?
A. Phenomenology
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Historical Research
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology is the study of how people describe a specific
experience and how they perceive that experience.
6. The Belmont Report identifies three basic ethical principles. Which principle requires that
the benefits of research be maximized while risks are minimized?
A. Justice
B. Respect for persons
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A nurse researcher is conducting a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new wound
dressing compared to the standard of care. Which component of the PICOT question does the
‘standard of care’ represent?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the PICOT format, ‘C’ stands for Comparison, which is the
alternative to the intervention being tested, such as the current standard of care or a
placebo.
2. Which level of evidence is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the hierarchy of evidence for
determining the effectiveness of an intervention?
A. Expert opinion of consensus committees
B. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of RCTs
,C. Single correlational or observational studies
D. Case-control and cohort studies
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all relevant
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) occupy Level I, the highest level in the evidence
hierarchy.
3. In a research study, a ‘Type II error’ occurs when the researcher does which of the
following?
A. Rejects a true null hypothesis
B. Correctly accepts a true null hypothesis
C. Correctly rejects a false null hypothesis
D. Accepts a false null hypothesis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A Type II error (false negative) occurs when the researcher fails
to reject the null hypothesis even though it is actually false.
4. A researcher is using a tool to measure blood pressure, but the cuff is consistently
calibrated 10 mmHg too high. This issue represents a problem with:
A. External Validity
B. Internal Validity
, C. Reliability
D. Sensitivity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. If a tool
consistently provides the same (even if wrong) measurement, it has reliability but lacks
validity.
5. Which qualitative research tradition focuses on the lived experience of individuals
regarding a specific phenomenon?
A. Phenomenology
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Historical Research
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology is the study of how people describe a specific
experience and how they perceive that experience.
6. The Belmont Report identifies three basic ethical principles. Which principle requires that
the benefits of research be maximized while risks are minimized?
A. Justice
B. Respect for persons
