COMPREHENSIVE BUILD
EVIDENCE 2026/2027-BASED
PRACTICE SKILLS
WITH THE VERIFIED TEST BANK
Understanding Nursing Research:
Building an Evidence-Based Practice
7th Edition
Authors: Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN
Part I: Foundations of Nursing Science and Evidence-Based
Practice
1. The historical evolution of nursing research is often traced back to the work of
Florence Nightingale. Which of the following best describes her primary contribution to
the establishment of evidence-based practice? A. The creation of the first distinct nursing
theory focused on self-care deficits. B. The use of statistical data to link environmental
conditions, such as sanitation, to patient mortality rates. C. The establishment of the first
peer-reviewed nursing journal for the dissemination of clinical findings. D. The founding of the
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) to fund clinical trials.
Answer: B Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the first nurse researcher. Her most
significant contribution to the foundation of evidence-based practice was her meticulous data
collection and statistical analysis (specifically the use of the polar area diagram) during the
Crimean War. She demonstrated a direct correlation between poor sanitation (environmental
conditions) and high soldier mortality rates, leading to practice changes that saved lives.
● Distractor Analysis: Option A refers to Orem (much later). Option C occurred later in the
20th century. Option D occurred in the late 20th century (1986/1993).
2. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) serves a critical role in the
advancement of the profession. What is the primary focus of the research funded by this
organization? A. To support medical research that overlaps with nursing tasks. B. To strictly
fund educational research regarding teaching methodologies. C. To support clinical and basic
research that establishes the scientific basis for the care of individuals across the lifespan. D. To
develop standardized care plans for hospital accreditation.
Answer: C Rationale: The NINR, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has a specific
mandate to support the conduct and dissemination of knowledge development through nursing
research. Its focus is on clinical and basic research that improves health outcomes and patient
care, rather than medical pathology or educational pedagogy.
3. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is defined as a problem-solving approach to clinical
practice that integrates which three components? A. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses,
, and randomized controlled trials. B. Clinical expertise, the best research evidence, and patient
values/preferences. C. Internal validity, external validity, and statistical significance. D. Hospital
policy, cost-containment strategies, and nursing intuition.
Answer: B Rationale: EBP is widely accepted as a triad consisting of (1) the best external
evidence (research), (2) the clinician’s internal evidence and expertise, and (3) the patient's
preferences and values. All three must be synthesized to make the optimal clinical decision.
4. A nurse manager is reviewing a study that predicts which staff members are at highest
risk for needle-stick injuries based on their years of experience and shift rotation. Which
description best classifies this type of research? A. Description B. Explanation C. Prediction
D. Control
Answer: C Rationale: Prediction involves estimating the probability of a specific outcome in a
given situation. In this case, the study aims to forecast (predict) a risk factor based on variables
(experience, shift). It goes beyond describing the injury (Description) or explaining the
physiological mechanism (Explanation).
5. Which of the following statements best describes the "Control" purpose in nursing research?
A. It clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain events occur. B. It
identifies and understands the nature of nursing phenomena. C. It estimates the probability of a
specific outcome in a given situation. D. It indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to
produce desired results.
Answer: D Rationale: Control is the highest level of research purpose in quantitative inquiry. It
implies the ability to manipulate a situation (usually through an intervention) to produce a
specific, desired outcome, such as using a specific protocol to reduce infection rates.
---
Part II: Ethics and Research Problems
6. The Belmont Report (1979) articulates three primary ethical principles that guide
human subject research. Which principle dictates that persons with diminished
autonomy are entitled to protection? A. Beneficence B. Justice C. Respect for Persons D.
Veracity
Answer: C Rationale: The principle of Respect for Persons incorporates two ethical
convictions: individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and persons with diminished
autonomy (e.g., children, prisoners, cognitively impaired) are entitled to protection. This implies
the necessity of informed consent.
7. In a research study, the principle of Justice is primarily upheld through which
procedure? A. Ensuring the benefits of the study outweigh the risks. B. Fair selection and
treatment of subjects, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not exploited. C. Obtaining
voluntary informed consent from all participants. D. Keeping all data anonymous and
confidential.
Answer: B Rationale: Justice is concerned with the fair distribution of burdens and benefits. In
research, this manifests as the equitable selection of subjects—ensuring that no group (e.g., the
poor or institutionalized) is selected simply because of their easy availability or manipulability.
8. Which of the following represents a directional hypothesis? A. "There is a relationship
between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality." B. "Nurse staffing levels and patient
mortality are unrelated." C. "Higher nurse staffing levels are associated with lower patient
mortality rates." D. "Patient mortality varies depending on the hospital setting."
Answer: C Rationale: A directional hypothesis predicts the specific nature or direction of the
relationship (positive or negative, higher or lower). Option A is non-directional (states a
EVIDENCE 2026/2027-BASED
PRACTICE SKILLS
WITH THE VERIFIED TEST BANK
Understanding Nursing Research:
Building an Evidence-Based Practice
7th Edition
Authors: Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN
Part I: Foundations of Nursing Science and Evidence-Based
Practice
1. The historical evolution of nursing research is often traced back to the work of
Florence Nightingale. Which of the following best describes her primary contribution to
the establishment of evidence-based practice? A. The creation of the first distinct nursing
theory focused on self-care deficits. B. The use of statistical data to link environmental
conditions, such as sanitation, to patient mortality rates. C. The establishment of the first
peer-reviewed nursing journal for the dissemination of clinical findings. D. The founding of the
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) to fund clinical trials.
Answer: B Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the first nurse researcher. Her most
significant contribution to the foundation of evidence-based practice was her meticulous data
collection and statistical analysis (specifically the use of the polar area diagram) during the
Crimean War. She demonstrated a direct correlation between poor sanitation (environmental
conditions) and high soldier mortality rates, leading to practice changes that saved lives.
● Distractor Analysis: Option A refers to Orem (much later). Option C occurred later in the
20th century. Option D occurred in the late 20th century (1986/1993).
2. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) serves a critical role in the
advancement of the profession. What is the primary focus of the research funded by this
organization? A. To support medical research that overlaps with nursing tasks. B. To strictly
fund educational research regarding teaching methodologies. C. To support clinical and basic
research that establishes the scientific basis for the care of individuals across the lifespan. D. To
develop standardized care plans for hospital accreditation.
Answer: C Rationale: The NINR, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has a specific
mandate to support the conduct and dissemination of knowledge development through nursing
research. Its focus is on clinical and basic research that improves health outcomes and patient
care, rather than medical pathology or educational pedagogy.
3. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is defined as a problem-solving approach to clinical
practice that integrates which three components? A. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses,
, and randomized controlled trials. B. Clinical expertise, the best research evidence, and patient
values/preferences. C. Internal validity, external validity, and statistical significance. D. Hospital
policy, cost-containment strategies, and nursing intuition.
Answer: B Rationale: EBP is widely accepted as a triad consisting of (1) the best external
evidence (research), (2) the clinician’s internal evidence and expertise, and (3) the patient's
preferences and values. All three must be synthesized to make the optimal clinical decision.
4. A nurse manager is reviewing a study that predicts which staff members are at highest
risk for needle-stick injuries based on their years of experience and shift rotation. Which
description best classifies this type of research? A. Description B. Explanation C. Prediction
D. Control
Answer: C Rationale: Prediction involves estimating the probability of a specific outcome in a
given situation. In this case, the study aims to forecast (predict) a risk factor based on variables
(experience, shift). It goes beyond describing the injury (Description) or explaining the
physiological mechanism (Explanation).
5. Which of the following statements best describes the "Control" purpose in nursing research?
A. It clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain events occur. B. It
identifies and understands the nature of nursing phenomena. C. It estimates the probability of a
specific outcome in a given situation. D. It indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to
produce desired results.
Answer: D Rationale: Control is the highest level of research purpose in quantitative inquiry. It
implies the ability to manipulate a situation (usually through an intervention) to produce a
specific, desired outcome, such as using a specific protocol to reduce infection rates.
---
Part II: Ethics and Research Problems
6. The Belmont Report (1979) articulates three primary ethical principles that guide
human subject research. Which principle dictates that persons with diminished
autonomy are entitled to protection? A. Beneficence B. Justice C. Respect for Persons D.
Veracity
Answer: C Rationale: The principle of Respect for Persons incorporates two ethical
convictions: individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and persons with diminished
autonomy (e.g., children, prisoners, cognitively impaired) are entitled to protection. This implies
the necessity of informed consent.
7. In a research study, the principle of Justice is primarily upheld through which
procedure? A. Ensuring the benefits of the study outweigh the risks. B. Fair selection and
treatment of subjects, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not exploited. C. Obtaining
voluntary informed consent from all participants. D. Keeping all data anonymous and
confidential.
Answer: B Rationale: Justice is concerned with the fair distribution of burdens and benefits. In
research, this manifests as the equitable selection of subjects—ensuring that no group (e.g., the
poor or institutionalized) is selected simply because of their easy availability or manipulability.
8. Which of the following represents a directional hypothesis? A. "There is a relationship
between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality." B. "Nurse staffing levels and patient
mortality are unrelated." C. "Higher nurse staffing levels are associated with lower patient
mortality rates." D. "Patient mortality varies depending on the hospital setting."
Answer: C Rationale: A directional hypothesis predicts the specific nature or direction of the
relationship (positive or negative, higher or lower). Option A is non-directional (states a
