MSN563
Evidence Based Inquiry for
Scholarship & Practice
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, Question 1
Case Scenario: An advanced practice nurse is initiating an evidence-
based inquiry project to improve patient outcomes in a surgical unit. To
begin, she formulates a focused clinical question using the PICO
framework.
Question: Which PICO element is specifically designed to capture the
desired result of the intervention?
- A) Population
- B) Intervention
- C) Comparison
- D) Outcome
Correct ANS: D
Rationale: The PICO model (Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome) is used to develop clinical questions. The “Outcome” element
defines the result or effect that the intervention is expected to achieve.
---
Question 2
Case Scenario: A nurse scholar embarks on a systematic review by
searching multiple databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and the
Cochrane Library, to gather literature for an evidence-based practice
project.
Question: Which of the following strategies is most effective for
narrowing the search results?
- A) Using intuition-based keywords
- B) Employing search terms derived from a PICO question
- C) Limiting the search to one database
- D) Excluding grey literature entirely
Correct ANS: B
2
, Rationale: Structuring search terms based on the PICO framework
ensures that the literature search is focused and relevant to the clinical
question. This approach minimizes extraneous results while capturing
high‑quality evidence.
---
Question 3
Case Scenario: A nurse reviews the literature to determine the best
evidence for a new intervention. She comes across various study designs.
Question: Which level of evidence is least likely to be quantitatively
synthesized in a meta‑analysis?
- A) Randomized controlled trials
- B) Cohort studies
- C) Case series and expert opinion
- D) Systematic reviews
Correct ANS: C
Rationale: Meta‑analysis combines quantitative data from studies, and
while RCTs and cohort studies are ideal candidates, case series and
expert opinions are less rigorous and rarely lend themselves to statistical
synthesis due to inherent biases and variability.
---
Question 4
Case Scenario: While critically appraising a study’s methodology, an
advanced practice nurse focuses on the internal validity of the findings.
Question: Which aspect is most directly assessed when evaluating
internal validity?
- A) Representativeness of the sample
- B) Reliability of the measurement tools
- C) Consistency of the study’s outcomes with other evidence
- D) Generalizability of the results
3
, Correct ANS: B
Rationale: Internal validity evaluates whether the study accurately
demonstrates a cause–effect relationship. Assessing the reliability of
measurement instruments is key to ensuring that the study’s results are
due to the intervention rather than errors in data collection.
---
Question 5
Case Scenario: A nurse is tasked with translating research findings into
clinical practice. She is evaluating several evidence‑based practice
models for guidance.
Question: Which model is specifically designed to facilitate the
translation of research evidence into practice?
- A) The Health Belief Model
- B) Orem’s Self‑Care Deficit Theory
- C) The Stetler Model
- D) The Roy Adaptation Model
Correct ANS: C
Rationale: The Stetler Model provides a structured approach for
appraising and integrating research findings into clinical practice, thereby
supporting evidence-based decision-making.
---
Question 6
Case Scenario: A nurse scholar is preparing a quality improvement
project using evidence-based inquiry methods.
Question: What is the first critical step in the evidence-based practice
(EBP) process?
- A) Implementation of the intervention
- B) Developing a focused clinical question
- C) Data analysis
- D) Outcome evaluation
4
Evidence Based Inquiry for
Scholarship & Practice
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, Question 1
Case Scenario: An advanced practice nurse is initiating an evidence-
based inquiry project to improve patient outcomes in a surgical unit. To
begin, she formulates a focused clinical question using the PICO
framework.
Question: Which PICO element is specifically designed to capture the
desired result of the intervention?
- A) Population
- B) Intervention
- C) Comparison
- D) Outcome
Correct ANS: D
Rationale: The PICO model (Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome) is used to develop clinical questions. The “Outcome” element
defines the result or effect that the intervention is expected to achieve.
---
Question 2
Case Scenario: A nurse scholar embarks on a systematic review by
searching multiple databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and the
Cochrane Library, to gather literature for an evidence-based practice
project.
Question: Which of the following strategies is most effective for
narrowing the search results?
- A) Using intuition-based keywords
- B) Employing search terms derived from a PICO question
- C) Limiting the search to one database
- D) Excluding grey literature entirely
Correct ANS: B
2
, Rationale: Structuring search terms based on the PICO framework
ensures that the literature search is focused and relevant to the clinical
question. This approach minimizes extraneous results while capturing
high‑quality evidence.
---
Question 3
Case Scenario: A nurse reviews the literature to determine the best
evidence for a new intervention. She comes across various study designs.
Question: Which level of evidence is least likely to be quantitatively
synthesized in a meta‑analysis?
- A) Randomized controlled trials
- B) Cohort studies
- C) Case series and expert opinion
- D) Systematic reviews
Correct ANS: C
Rationale: Meta‑analysis combines quantitative data from studies, and
while RCTs and cohort studies are ideal candidates, case series and
expert opinions are less rigorous and rarely lend themselves to statistical
synthesis due to inherent biases and variability.
---
Question 4
Case Scenario: While critically appraising a study’s methodology, an
advanced practice nurse focuses on the internal validity of the findings.
Question: Which aspect is most directly assessed when evaluating
internal validity?
- A) Representativeness of the sample
- B) Reliability of the measurement tools
- C) Consistency of the study’s outcomes with other evidence
- D) Generalizability of the results
3
, Correct ANS: B
Rationale: Internal validity evaluates whether the study accurately
demonstrates a cause–effect relationship. Assessing the reliability of
measurement instruments is key to ensuring that the study’s results are
due to the intervention rather than errors in data collection.
---
Question 5
Case Scenario: A nurse is tasked with translating research findings into
clinical practice. She is evaluating several evidence‑based practice
models for guidance.
Question: Which model is specifically designed to facilitate the
translation of research evidence into practice?
- A) The Health Belief Model
- B) Orem’s Self‑Care Deficit Theory
- C) The Stetler Model
- D) The Roy Adaptation Model
Correct ANS: C
Rationale: The Stetler Model provides a structured approach for
appraising and integrating research findings into clinical practice, thereby
supporting evidence-based decision-making.
---
Question 6
Case Scenario: A nurse scholar is preparing a quality improvement
project using evidence-based inquiry methods.
Question: What is the first critical step in the evidence-based practice
(EBP) process?
- A) Implementation of the intervention
- B) Developing a focused clinical question
- C) Data analysis
- D) Outcome evaluation
4
