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: Using Outcomes to Identify a
Practice Gap
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Practice Gap Identification
Stem: A medical-surgical unit has an above-benchmark rate of
catheter-associated urinary tract infections despite staff
reporting that the insertion protocol is “always followed.” The
charge nurse suspects that the current approach may not
,reflect the best available evidence. What is the most
appropriate first EBP action?
A. Immediately replace the protocol with the newest
intervention discussed at a conference
B. Gather local outcome data and compare the current practice
with the best available evidence
C. Ask the most experienced nurse to decide whether the
protocol should change
D. Wait until a formal research study is completed on the unit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: EBP begins with identifying a clinical
problem and determining whether a practice gap exists
between current care and best evidence. Local outcome data
help establish the magnitude of the problem and support a
justified change process.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Newness does not equal evidence; immediate replacement
risks adopting an untested practice.
C. Expert opinion can inform care, but it should not replace
evidence appraisal.
D. EBP does not require the unit to conduct original research
before acting.
Teaching Point: Practice change starts with outcome data, not
assumptions or enthusiasm.
,Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1.
2) Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry
Reference: Ch. 1 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry — Clinical
Questioning
Stem: During shift report, a nurse asks, “Why do we keep
turning stable postoperative patients every hour when they are
already ambulating frequently?” The nurse wants to know
whether the current routine truly improves outcomes or is
simply tradition. Which behavior best reflects a spirit of inquiry?
A. Accepting the routine because it has always been used on
the unit
B. Asking whether the practice is supported by evidence and
outcome data
C. Repeating the practice until a physician requests a change
D. Avoiding the question to prevent conflict with senior staff
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry involves curiosity,
questioning routine practices, and seeking evidence to
determine whether care is beneficial. This is the first mindset
required for EBP.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Tradition alone does not establish effectiveness.
, C. EBP is nurse-driven and should not depend on waiting for
external correction.
D. Avoidance suppresses inquiry and blocks practice
improvement.
Teaching Point: Inquiry begins with “why do we do this?” and
ends with evidence.
Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1.
3) Core Definition of EBP
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Integrating
Sources of Evidence
Stem: A new graduate nurse says EBP means using research
articles to replace everything learned in school. The preceptor
explains that this definition is incomplete. Which statement
best reflects EBP?
A. Using only randomized controlled trials to guide care
B. Combining the best evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
C. Following expert opinion when the literature is difficult to
interpret
D. Adopting the most common practice in the organization
Correct Answer: B
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Making the Case for EBP: Using Outcomes to Identify a
Practice Gap
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Practice Gap Identification
Stem: A medical-surgical unit has an above-benchmark rate of
catheter-associated urinary tract infections despite staff
reporting that the insertion protocol is “always followed.” The
charge nurse suspects that the current approach may not
,reflect the best available evidence. What is the most
appropriate first EBP action?
A. Immediately replace the protocol with the newest
intervention discussed at a conference
B. Gather local outcome data and compare the current practice
with the best available evidence
C. Ask the most experienced nurse to decide whether the
protocol should change
D. Wait until a formal research study is completed on the unit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: EBP begins with identifying a clinical
problem and determining whether a practice gap exists
between current care and best evidence. Local outcome data
help establish the magnitude of the problem and support a
justified change process.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Newness does not equal evidence; immediate replacement
risks adopting an untested practice.
C. Expert opinion can inform care, but it should not replace
evidence appraisal.
D. EBP does not require the unit to conduct original research
before acting.
Teaching Point: Practice change starts with outcome data, not
assumptions or enthusiasm.
,Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1.
2) Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry
Reference: Ch. 1 — Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry — Clinical
Questioning
Stem: During shift report, a nurse asks, “Why do we keep
turning stable postoperative patients every hour when they are
already ambulating frequently?” The nurse wants to know
whether the current routine truly improves outcomes or is
simply tradition. Which behavior best reflects a spirit of inquiry?
A. Accepting the routine because it has always been used on
the unit
B. Asking whether the practice is supported by evidence and
outcome data
C. Repeating the practice until a physician requests a change
D. Avoiding the question to prevent conflict with senior staff
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: A spirit of inquiry involves curiosity,
questioning routine practices, and seeking evidence to
determine whether care is beneficial. This is the first mindset
required for EBP.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Tradition alone does not establish effectiveness.
, C. EBP is nurse-driven and should not depend on waiting for
external correction.
D. Avoidance suppresses inquiry and blocks practice
improvement.
Teaching Point: Inquiry begins with “why do we do this?” and
ends with evidence.
Citation: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023).
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch.
1.
3) Core Definition of EBP
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for EBP — Integrating
Sources of Evidence
Stem: A new graduate nurse says EBP means using research
articles to replace everything learned in school. The preceptor
explains that this definition is incomplete. Which statement
best reflects EBP?
A. Using only randomized controlled trials to guide care
B. Combining the best evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
C. Following expert opinion when the literature is difficult to
interpret
D. Adopting the most common practice in the organization
Correct Answer: B
