Nursing Prerequisite – Statistics
3 Credits
Final Assessment Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Question:
In a study comparing the recovery times of patients receiving two
different treatments—with the assumption of normally distributed
data—the most appropriate test to compare the means of these
independent groups is:
- A) Paired t-test
- B) Two-sample t-test
- C) Chi-square test
- D) Mann–Whitney U test
Correct ANS: B) Two-sample t-test
Rationale:
The two-sample t-test is used to compare the means of two
independent groups when the data are approximately normally
distributed. This test is ideal for evaluating differences in recovery times
between patients treated with two different protocols.
2. Question:
A researcher wishes to model the relationship between nurse staffing
levels (continuous variable) and patient recovery time (continuous
outcome). Which statistical method is most appropriate for this purpose?
- A) Logistic Regression
- B) Linear Regression
- C) Cox Regression
- D) ANOVA
Correct ANS: B) Linear Regression
Rationale:
Linear regression is the method of choice when modeling the
relationship between two continuous variables. It allows the estimation
of how changes in nurse staffing levels are associated with changes in
average patient recovery time.
2
,3. Question:
When reporting the estimated mean recovery time for patients, a 95%
confidence interval is provided. This interval represents:
- A) The probability that the sample mean falls within the interval
- B) The range within which we are 95% confident the true population
mean lies
- C) The standard error of the sample mean multiplied by 1.96
- D) The p-value associated with the hypothesis test
Correct ANS: B) The range within which we are 95% confident the
true population mean lies
Rationale:
A 95% confidence interval provides a range of values that, based on the
sample data, is likely to contain the true population mean 95% of the
time. This measure of precision is key in determining the reliability of
study estimates.
4. Question:
In a study with small sample sizes comparing the rate of treatment
success (a categorical outcome) between two groups, the most
appropriate statistical test is:
- A) Chi-square test
- B) Fisher’s exact test
- C) Z-test for proportions
- D) McNemar's test
Correct ANS: B) Fisher’s exact test
Rationale:
Fisher’s exact test is preferred for small samples where the
assumptions of the chi-square test may not hold. It provides an exact p-
value, making it appropriate for analyses of categorical data with limited
observations.
5. Question:
3
, A p-value of 0.03 in a hypothesis test indicates that:
- A) There is a 3% probability that the null hypothesis is true
- B) There is a 3% chance of observing the data (or more extreme),
assuming the null hypothesis is correct
- C) The alternative hypothesis is 97% likely true
- D) The study results are clinically significant
Correct ANS: B) There is a 3% chance of observing the data (or more
extreme), assuming the null hypothesis is correct
Rationale:
The p-value indicates the probability of observing the study results, or
more extreme results, if the null hypothesis were true. A value of 0.03
means that such an observation has a 3% likelihood under the null
hypothesis.
6. Question:
To account for potential confounding variables in a study examining the
effect of a nursing intervention on patient outcomes, which statistical
method is most appropriate?
- A) Stratified Analysis
- B) Multiple Regression
- C) Descriptive Statistics
- D) Kaplan–Meier Analysis
Correct ANS: B) Multiple Regression
Rationale:
Multiple regression allows researchers to adjust for several
confounding variables simultaneously. By including these covariates in
the model, it is possible to obtain a clearer estimate of the intervention’s
effect on patient outcomes.
7. Question:
In a meta-analysis of randomized trials evaluating a nursing
intervention, which metric is most commonly used to summarize the
magnitude of the intervention effect across studies?
4
3 Credits
Final Assessment Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Question:
In a study comparing the recovery times of patients receiving two
different treatments—with the assumption of normally distributed
data—the most appropriate test to compare the means of these
independent groups is:
- A) Paired t-test
- B) Two-sample t-test
- C) Chi-square test
- D) Mann–Whitney U test
Correct ANS: B) Two-sample t-test
Rationale:
The two-sample t-test is used to compare the means of two
independent groups when the data are approximately normally
distributed. This test is ideal for evaluating differences in recovery times
between patients treated with two different protocols.
2. Question:
A researcher wishes to model the relationship between nurse staffing
levels (continuous variable) and patient recovery time (continuous
outcome). Which statistical method is most appropriate for this purpose?
- A) Logistic Regression
- B) Linear Regression
- C) Cox Regression
- D) ANOVA
Correct ANS: B) Linear Regression
Rationale:
Linear regression is the method of choice when modeling the
relationship between two continuous variables. It allows the estimation
of how changes in nurse staffing levels are associated with changes in
average patient recovery time.
2
,3. Question:
When reporting the estimated mean recovery time for patients, a 95%
confidence interval is provided. This interval represents:
- A) The probability that the sample mean falls within the interval
- B) The range within which we are 95% confident the true population
mean lies
- C) The standard error of the sample mean multiplied by 1.96
- D) The p-value associated with the hypothesis test
Correct ANS: B) The range within which we are 95% confident the
true population mean lies
Rationale:
A 95% confidence interval provides a range of values that, based on the
sample data, is likely to contain the true population mean 95% of the
time. This measure of precision is key in determining the reliability of
study estimates.
4. Question:
In a study with small sample sizes comparing the rate of treatment
success (a categorical outcome) between two groups, the most
appropriate statistical test is:
- A) Chi-square test
- B) Fisher’s exact test
- C) Z-test for proportions
- D) McNemar's test
Correct ANS: B) Fisher’s exact test
Rationale:
Fisher’s exact test is preferred for small samples where the
assumptions of the chi-square test may not hold. It provides an exact p-
value, making it appropriate for analyses of categorical data with limited
observations.
5. Question:
3
, A p-value of 0.03 in a hypothesis test indicates that:
- A) There is a 3% probability that the null hypothesis is true
- B) There is a 3% chance of observing the data (or more extreme),
assuming the null hypothesis is correct
- C) The alternative hypothesis is 97% likely true
- D) The study results are clinically significant
Correct ANS: B) There is a 3% chance of observing the data (or more
extreme), assuming the null hypothesis is correct
Rationale:
The p-value indicates the probability of observing the study results, or
more extreme results, if the null hypothesis were true. A value of 0.03
means that such an observation has a 3% likelihood under the null
hypothesis.
6. Question:
To account for potential confounding variables in a study examining the
effect of a nursing intervention on patient outcomes, which statistical
method is most appropriate?
- A) Stratified Analysis
- B) Multiple Regression
- C) Descriptive Statistics
- D) Kaplan–Meier Analysis
Correct ANS: B) Multiple Regression
Rationale:
Multiple regression allows researchers to adjust for several
confounding variables simultaneously. By including these covariates in
the model, it is possible to obtain a clearer estimate of the intervention’s
effect on patient outcomes.
7. Question:
In a meta-analysis of randomized trials evaluating a nursing
intervention, which metric is most commonly used to summarize the
magnitude of the intervention effect across studies?
4
