EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) EBP as the Best Clinical Decision-Making Approach
Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Why Evidence-Based
Practice Matters
Stem
A medical-surgical unit continues using an old wound care
protocol because “that is how it has always been done.” A new
nurse notices slower healing and inconsistent dressing changes
,among staff. The nurse manager asks what best justifies
changing the protocol.
Which statement best reflects the core rationale for evidence-
based practice?
Options
A. EBP replaces clinical judgment with research findings alone.
B. EBP combines best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences to improve outcomes.
C. EBP requires every practice change to be supported by a
randomized controlled trial.
D. EBP is used only when a unit has already identified a quality
failure.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
B is correct. EBP integrates research evidence, clinical
expertise, and patient values to support the best possible
decisions. It is not research alone, and it does not eliminate
professional judgment.
A is incorrect. EBP does not replace clinical expertise; it
depends on it.
C is incorrect. High-level evidence is preferred, but not
every decision requires an RCT.
D is incorrect. EBP is proactive and can be used to improve
care before a major failure occurs.
,Teaching Point
EBP is integration, not research alone.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Spirit of Inquiry
Reference
Ch. 1 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry — Questioning Current
Practice
Stem
A nurse notices that some postoperative patients seem to
recover faster when early ambulation is initiated sooner, but
the unit’s routine is still to wait until the next morning. The
nurse does not know whether the current routine is the best
approach.
Which action best demonstrates a spirit of inquiry?
Options
A. Accepting the current routine because it is already approved
by the unit
B. Asking whether evidence supports earlier ambulation for this
patient population
C. Changing the practice immediately without discussing it with
anyone
, D. Documenting the concern but avoiding discussion to prevent
conflict
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
B is correct. A spirit of inquiry begins with curiosity about
whether current practice is the best practice. It leads to asking a
focused question before making changes.
A is incorrect. Inquiry challenges “we have always done it
this way” thinking.
C is incorrect. Immediate unsystematic change is not
evidence-based.
D is incorrect. Avoiding the issue does not support EBP
development.
Teaching Point
Inquiry starts with curiosity about current practice.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Recognizing an Evidence-Based Practice Gap
Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Identifying Practice Gaps
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) EBP as the Best Clinical Decision-Making Approach
Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Why Evidence-Based
Practice Matters
Stem
A medical-surgical unit continues using an old wound care
protocol because “that is how it has always been done.” A new
nurse notices slower healing and inconsistent dressing changes
,among staff. The nurse manager asks what best justifies
changing the protocol.
Which statement best reflects the core rationale for evidence-
based practice?
Options
A. EBP replaces clinical judgment with research findings alone.
B. EBP combines best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences to improve outcomes.
C. EBP requires every practice change to be supported by a
randomized controlled trial.
D. EBP is used only when a unit has already identified a quality
failure.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
B is correct. EBP integrates research evidence, clinical
expertise, and patient values to support the best possible
decisions. It is not research alone, and it does not eliminate
professional judgment.
A is incorrect. EBP does not replace clinical expertise; it
depends on it.
C is incorrect. High-level evidence is preferred, but not
every decision requires an RCT.
D is incorrect. EBP is proactive and can be used to improve
care before a major failure occurs.
,Teaching Point
EBP is integration, not research alone.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Spirit of Inquiry
Reference
Ch. 1 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry — Questioning Current
Practice
Stem
A nurse notices that some postoperative patients seem to
recover faster when early ambulation is initiated sooner, but
the unit’s routine is still to wait until the next morning. The
nurse does not know whether the current routine is the best
approach.
Which action best demonstrates a spirit of inquiry?
Options
A. Accepting the current routine because it is already approved
by the unit
B. Asking whether evidence supports earlier ambulation for this
patient population
C. Changing the practice immediately without discussing it with
anyone
, D. Documenting the concern but avoiding discussion to prevent
conflict
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
B is correct. A spirit of inquiry begins with curiosity about
whether current practice is the best practice. It leads to asking a
focused question before making changes.
A is incorrect. Inquiry challenges “we have always done it
this way” thinking.
C is incorrect. Immediate unsystematic change is not
evidence-based.
D is incorrect. Avoiding the issue does not support EBP
development.
Teaching Point
Inquiry starts with curiosity about current practice.
Citation
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Recognizing an Evidence-Based Practice Gap
Reference
Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Identifying Practice Gaps
