WILKES NSG 502 ADVANCED
NURSING RESEARCH FINAL EXAM
2026/2027: 100 EXAM-STYLE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES – PASSAN SCHOOL OF
NURSING MSN PREP
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of nursing
research?
A) To confirm existing nursing practices
B) To generate new knowledge to guide nursing practice
C) To increase the credibility of nursing as a profession
D) To satisfy academic requirements
Correct Answer: B) To generate new knowledge to guide nursing practice
Rationale: The primary purpose of nursing research is to generate new knowledge that
can guide and improve nursing practice, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
While confirming existing practices, increasing credibility, and satisfying academic
requirements may be secondary benefits, they are not the primary purpose. Research is
essential for advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient care.
2. A nurse is formulating a clinical question. Which component of a PICOT
question refers to the specific intervention or exposure being studied?
A) Population
B) Intervention
C) Comparison
D) Outcome
Correct Answer: B) Intervention
Rationale: In a PICOT question, P = Population/Patient, I = Intervention (the treatment
or exposure being studied), C = Comparison (alternative intervention or control), O =
Outcome (the result being measured), and T = Timeframe (optional). The intervention
is the specific therapy, treatment, or exposure being investigated. Using the PICOT
format helps focus the search for evidence and ensures the question is answerable.
3. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based practice change on a unit. What
is the first step in the EBP process?
,A) Appraise the evidence
B) Ask a clinically relevant question
C) Cultivate a spirit of inquiry
D) Integrate the evidence
Correct Answer: C) Cultivate a spirit of inquiry
Rationale: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is to cultivate a spirit of
inquiry, which involves encouraging healthcare providers to question current practices
and identify areas for improvement. This is followed by asking a clinically relevant
question, searching for evidence, appraising the evidence, integrating evidence,
evaluating outcomes, and disseminating results. A spirit of inquiry is essential for
creating a culture that values evidence-based practice.
4. Which level of evidence is considered the strongest and most reliable for
guiding clinical decisions?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case-control studies
C) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
D) Cohort studies
Correct Answer: C) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled
trials
Rationale: In the hierarchy of evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of
randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the strongest level of evidence
because they synthesize results from multiple well-designed RCTs. This provides the
most reliable evidence for guiding clinical decisions. Expert opinion, case-control
studies, and cohort studies are lower on the evidence hierarchy.
5. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based practice change and wants to
evaluate the outcomes. Which of the following is a key component of
evaluation?
A) Measuring outcomes before and after the change
B) Ignoring the results of the change
C) Focusing only on patient satisfaction
D) Implementing the change without evaluation
Correct Answer: A) Measuring outcomes before and after the change
Rationale: Evaluation of a practice change should include measuring outcomes before
and after the change to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. This allows the
nurse to determine whether the change has achieved the desired results and to make
adjustments as needed. Ignoring results, focusing only on satisfaction, or implementing
without evaluation are not appropriate evaluation strategies.
6. Which of the following is a component of the ACE Star Model of Evidence-
Based Practice?
, A) Discovery, summary, translation, integration, evaluation
B) Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
C) Orientation, identification, exploitation, resolution
D) Knowledge, attitude, practice, outcome
Correct Answer: A) Discovery, summary, translation, integration, evaluation
Rationale: The ACE Star Model is a framework for evidence-based practice that
describes the transformation of evidence from its original form to its application in
practice. The five points of the star are: Discovery (knowledge generation through
research), Summary (systematic reviews and meta-analyses), Translation (clinical
practice guidelines), Integration (implementation into practice), and Evaluation
(outcome measurement). This model emphasizes the translation of research into
practice.
7. A nurse is conducting a literature search for evidence on a clinical question.
Which database is most appropriate for nursing research?
A) PubMed
B) CINAHL
C) Web of Science
D) Google Scholar
Correct Answer: B) CINAHL
Rationale: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) is the
most comprehensive database for nursing research, indexing nursing journals and
allied health literature. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar are also useful
but cover broader disciplines. CINAHL provides access to nursing-specific journals,
evidence-based care sheets, and continuing education modules.
8. Which of the following is a barrier to implementing evidence-based practice?
A) Strong organizational support
B) Adequate time and resources
C) Lack of access to research databases
D) A culture that values evidence-based decision-making
Correct Answer: C) Lack of access to research databases
Rationale: Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice include lack of time, lack
of resources, lack of access to research databases, lack of knowledge and skills, and
organizational culture that does not support EBP. Strong organizational support,
adequate resources, and a culture that values EBP facilitate implementation.
Addressing these barriers is essential for successful translation of evidence into practice.
9. Which of the following is true about evidence-based practice?
A) It replaces clinical judgment
B) It integrates research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
NURSING RESEARCH FINAL EXAM
2026/2027: 100 EXAM-STYLE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES – PASSAN SCHOOL OF
NURSING MSN PREP
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of nursing
research?
A) To confirm existing nursing practices
B) To generate new knowledge to guide nursing practice
C) To increase the credibility of nursing as a profession
D) To satisfy academic requirements
Correct Answer: B) To generate new knowledge to guide nursing practice
Rationale: The primary purpose of nursing research is to generate new knowledge that
can guide and improve nursing practice, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
While confirming existing practices, increasing credibility, and satisfying academic
requirements may be secondary benefits, they are not the primary purpose. Research is
essential for advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient care.
2. A nurse is formulating a clinical question. Which component of a PICOT
question refers to the specific intervention or exposure being studied?
A) Population
B) Intervention
C) Comparison
D) Outcome
Correct Answer: B) Intervention
Rationale: In a PICOT question, P = Population/Patient, I = Intervention (the treatment
or exposure being studied), C = Comparison (alternative intervention or control), O =
Outcome (the result being measured), and T = Timeframe (optional). The intervention
is the specific therapy, treatment, or exposure being investigated. Using the PICOT
format helps focus the search for evidence and ensures the question is answerable.
3. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based practice change on a unit. What
is the first step in the EBP process?
,A) Appraise the evidence
B) Ask a clinically relevant question
C) Cultivate a spirit of inquiry
D) Integrate the evidence
Correct Answer: C) Cultivate a spirit of inquiry
Rationale: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is to cultivate a spirit of
inquiry, which involves encouraging healthcare providers to question current practices
and identify areas for improvement. This is followed by asking a clinically relevant
question, searching for evidence, appraising the evidence, integrating evidence,
evaluating outcomes, and disseminating results. A spirit of inquiry is essential for
creating a culture that values evidence-based practice.
4. Which level of evidence is considered the strongest and most reliable for
guiding clinical decisions?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case-control studies
C) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
D) Cohort studies
Correct Answer: C) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled
trials
Rationale: In the hierarchy of evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of
randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the strongest level of evidence
because they synthesize results from multiple well-designed RCTs. This provides the
most reliable evidence for guiding clinical decisions. Expert opinion, case-control
studies, and cohort studies are lower on the evidence hierarchy.
5. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based practice change and wants to
evaluate the outcomes. Which of the following is a key component of
evaluation?
A) Measuring outcomes before and after the change
B) Ignoring the results of the change
C) Focusing only on patient satisfaction
D) Implementing the change without evaluation
Correct Answer: A) Measuring outcomes before and after the change
Rationale: Evaluation of a practice change should include measuring outcomes before
and after the change to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. This allows the
nurse to determine whether the change has achieved the desired results and to make
adjustments as needed. Ignoring results, focusing only on satisfaction, or implementing
without evaluation are not appropriate evaluation strategies.
6. Which of the following is a component of the ACE Star Model of Evidence-
Based Practice?
, A) Discovery, summary, translation, integration, evaluation
B) Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
C) Orientation, identification, exploitation, resolution
D) Knowledge, attitude, practice, outcome
Correct Answer: A) Discovery, summary, translation, integration, evaluation
Rationale: The ACE Star Model is a framework for evidence-based practice that
describes the transformation of evidence from its original form to its application in
practice. The five points of the star are: Discovery (knowledge generation through
research), Summary (systematic reviews and meta-analyses), Translation (clinical
practice guidelines), Integration (implementation into practice), and Evaluation
(outcome measurement). This model emphasizes the translation of research into
practice.
7. A nurse is conducting a literature search for evidence on a clinical question.
Which database is most appropriate for nursing research?
A) PubMed
B) CINAHL
C) Web of Science
D) Google Scholar
Correct Answer: B) CINAHL
Rationale: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) is the
most comprehensive database for nursing research, indexing nursing journals and
allied health literature. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar are also useful
but cover broader disciplines. CINAHL provides access to nursing-specific journals,
evidence-based care sheets, and continuing education modules.
8. Which of the following is a barrier to implementing evidence-based practice?
A) Strong organizational support
B) Adequate time and resources
C) Lack of access to research databases
D) A culture that values evidence-based decision-making
Correct Answer: C) Lack of access to research databases
Rationale: Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice include lack of time, lack
of resources, lack of access to research databases, lack of knowledge and skills, and
organizational culture that does not support EBP. Strong organizational support,
adequate resources, and a culture that values EBP facilitate implementation.
Addressing these barriers is essential for successful translation of evidence into practice.
9. Which of the following is true about evidence-based practice?
A) It replaces clinical judgment
B) It integrates research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
