EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Making the case for EBP in a practice-change discussion
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Practice Change
Rationale
A medical-surgical unit continues using an outdated wound-
dressing protocol because “it has always worked.” A nurse
reviews recent outcomes and notices that infection rates
remain higher than benchmark despite good staff compliance.
,The nurse wants to advocate for a change using evidence rather
than opinion.
Which action is the best first step in making the case for
evidence-based practice?
A. Implement the new dressing protocol on a single patient to
demonstrate success
B. Formulate a focused clinical question and locate the best
available evidence
C. Ask the most experienced nurse on the unit which dressing
has worked best historically
D. Request that all staff vote on which dressing seems most
practical
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Formulating a focused clinical question is the entry point for
evidence-based practice because it turns a vague concern into a
searchable, answerable problem. This supports use of the best
available evidence before changing practice.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Trialing a change on one patient is anecdotal and does not
establish a sound basis for practice-wide change.
C. Experience matters, but expert opinion alone is not sufficient
when stronger evidence is available.
D. Majority preference does not equal evidence-based decision-
making and may preserve ineffective practice.
,Teaching Point:
A good EBP argument starts with a focused question, not a vote
or a hunch.
Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (5th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
Reference: Ch. 1 — Spirit of Inquiry — Questioning Practice
During shift huddle, a nurse notices that patients receiving early
mobilization after surgery appear to recover faster than those
who remain in bed longer. The nurse asks, “Why do we wait so
long to ambulate some patients?” The team leader wants to
strengthen inquiry on the unit.
Which leadership response best cultivates a spirit of inquiry?
A. Tell staff to stop questioning practice changes unless
administration approves
B. Encourage staff to ask focused practice questions and explore
evidence together
C. Instruct staff to follow the current protocol exactly until a
formal research study is done
D. Remind staff that questioning routine practice may confuse
newer nurses
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A spirit of inquiry is fostered when clinicians are encouraged to
ask “why” and “what if” questions and then examine evidence
collaboratively. This promotes curiosity, learning, and evidence-
based decision-making.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Restricting questions suppresses inquiry and weakens EBP
culture.
C. Research is not required before asking a practice question or
reviewing existing evidence.
D. Questioning is a strength in EBP culture, not a threat to
novice learning.
Teaching Point:
Inquiry grows in environments that reward thoughtful
questions, not silence.
Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (5th
ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Evidence versus anecdote
Reference: Ch. 1 — EBP Foundations — Using Best Evidence
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Making the case for EBP in a practice-change discussion
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Practice Change
Rationale
A medical-surgical unit continues using an outdated wound-
dressing protocol because “it has always worked.” A nurse
reviews recent outcomes and notices that infection rates
remain higher than benchmark despite good staff compliance.
,The nurse wants to advocate for a change using evidence rather
than opinion.
Which action is the best first step in making the case for
evidence-based practice?
A. Implement the new dressing protocol on a single patient to
demonstrate success
B. Formulate a focused clinical question and locate the best
available evidence
C. Ask the most experienced nurse on the unit which dressing
has worked best historically
D. Request that all staff vote on which dressing seems most
practical
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Formulating a focused clinical question is the entry point for
evidence-based practice because it turns a vague concern into a
searchable, answerable problem. This supports use of the best
available evidence before changing practice.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Trialing a change on one patient is anecdotal and does not
establish a sound basis for practice-wide change.
C. Experience matters, but expert opinion alone is not sufficient
when stronger evidence is available.
D. Majority preference does not equal evidence-based decision-
making and may preserve ineffective practice.
,Teaching Point:
A good EBP argument starts with a focused question, not a vote
or a hunch.
Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (5th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Cultivating a spirit of inquiry
Reference: Ch. 1 — Spirit of Inquiry — Questioning Practice
During shift huddle, a nurse notices that patients receiving early
mobilization after surgery appear to recover faster than those
who remain in bed longer. The nurse asks, “Why do we wait so
long to ambulate some patients?” The team leader wants to
strengthen inquiry on the unit.
Which leadership response best cultivates a spirit of inquiry?
A. Tell staff to stop questioning practice changes unless
administration approves
B. Encourage staff to ask focused practice questions and explore
evidence together
C. Instruct staff to follow the current protocol exactly until a
formal research study is done
D. Remind staff that questioning routine practice may confuse
newer nurses
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A spirit of inquiry is fostered when clinicians are encouraged to
ask “why” and “what if” questions and then examine evidence
collaboratively. This promotes curiosity, learning, and evidence-
based decision-making.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Restricting questions suppresses inquiry and weakens EBP
culture.
C. Research is not required before asking a practice question or
reviewing existing evidence.
D. Questioning is a strength in EBP culture, not a threat to
novice learning.
Teaching Point:
Inquiry grows in environments that reward thoughtful
questions, not silence.
Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (5th
ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Evidence versus anecdote
Reference: Ch. 1 — EBP Foundations — Using Best Evidence
