EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Spirit of inquiry as the first EBP driver
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Spirit of Inquiry
Stem:
A medical-surgical unit has long used routine bedrest after
certain procedures, even though several nurses have
questioned whether early mobilization improves recovery. A
new graduate asks, “Why do we still do this if patients seem to
,recover faster when they move earlier?” Which response best
reflects a spirit of inquiry that supports evidence-based
practice?
Options:
A. “We should keep the current practice until a physician orders
otherwise.”
B. “That is a good question; let’s examine the current evidence
and outcomes.”
C. “Experienced nurses usually know what works, so
questioning the practice may be disruptive.”
D. “We should change the policy immediately because newer
practices are always better.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct:
A spirit of inquiry begins with curiosity about whether current
practice is the best available approach. The nurse’s question
opens the door to examining evidence, outcomes, and practice
variation before changing care. This is the foundation of EBP.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A ignores evidence and defers entirely to authority. C
discourages questioning and suppresses inquiry. D assumes
novelty equals superiority, which is not evidence-based.
Teaching Point:
Curiosity plus evidence review begins the EBP process.
,Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Distinguishing tradition from evidence
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Tradition vs. Evidence
Stem:
A pediatric unit continues using a preoperative fasting guideline
because “that is how we have always done it,” despite staff
concern that it may be overly restrictive. The nurse manager
wants to know whether the practice is supported by current
research. What is the most appropriate reason to question the
tradition?
Options:
A. Traditions are invalid unless they are unpopular.
B. Longstanding practices should be accepted if no adverse
event has occurred.
C. A practice should be supported by best available evidence,
not habit alone.
D. If a practice is common, it is already evidence-based.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct:
EBP requires that practice decisions be grounded in current best
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. A long-
, standing routine may still be ineffective or outdated.
Questioning tradition is appropriate when evidence support is
unclear.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A is irrelevant and not a principle of EBP. B confuses absence of
obvious harm with proof of effectiveness. D incorrectly assumes
frequency equals scientific support.
Teaching Point:
Common practice is not the same as evidence-supported
practice.
Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Why EBP improves quality of care
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Outcomes and Quality
Stem:
A quality council reviews two wound-care approaches and finds
one is associated with fewer infections and shorter healing
time. Leadership asks why the organization should invest in
changing practice. Which rationale is strongest?
Options:
A. EBP helps standardize care around practices that improve
& HEALTHCARE
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE
5TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)BERNADETTE MAZUREK
MELNYK; ELLEN FINEOUT-OVERHOLT
TEST BANK
1) Spirit of inquiry as the first EBP driver
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Spirit of Inquiry
Stem:
A medical-surgical unit has long used routine bedrest after
certain procedures, even though several nurses have
questioned whether early mobilization improves recovery. A
new graduate asks, “Why do we still do this if patients seem to
,recover faster when they move earlier?” Which response best
reflects a spirit of inquiry that supports evidence-based
practice?
Options:
A. “We should keep the current practice until a physician orders
otherwise.”
B. “That is a good question; let’s examine the current evidence
and outcomes.”
C. “Experienced nurses usually know what works, so
questioning the practice may be disruptive.”
D. “We should change the policy immediately because newer
practices are always better.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct:
A spirit of inquiry begins with curiosity about whether current
practice is the best available approach. The nurse’s question
opens the door to examining evidence, outcomes, and practice
variation before changing care. This is the foundation of EBP.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A ignores evidence and defers entirely to authority. C
discourages questioning and suppresses inquiry. D assumes
novelty equals superiority, which is not evidence-based.
Teaching Point:
Curiosity plus evidence review begins the EBP process.
,Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Distinguishing tradition from evidence
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Tradition vs. Evidence
Stem:
A pediatric unit continues using a preoperative fasting guideline
because “that is how we have always done it,” despite staff
concern that it may be overly restrictive. The nurse manager
wants to know whether the practice is supported by current
research. What is the most appropriate reason to question the
tradition?
Options:
A. Traditions are invalid unless they are unpopular.
B. Longstanding practices should be accepted if no adverse
event has occurred.
C. A practice should be supported by best available evidence,
not habit alone.
D. If a practice is common, it is already evidence-based.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct:
EBP requires that practice decisions be grounded in current best
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. A long-
, standing routine may still be ineffective or outdated.
Questioning tradition is appropriate when evidence support is
unclear.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A is irrelevant and not a principle of EBP. B confuses absence of
obvious harm with proof of effectiveness. D incorrectly assumes
frequency equals scientific support.
Teaching Point:
Common practice is not the same as evidence-supported
practice.
Citation:
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-Based
Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (5th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Why EBP improves quality of care
Reference: Ch. 1 — Making the Case for Evidence-Based
Practice — Outcomes and Quality
Stem:
A quality council reviews two wound-care approaches and finds
one is associated with fewer infections and shorter healing
time. Leadership asks why the organization should invest in
changing practice. Which rationale is strongest?
Options:
A. EBP helps standardize care around practices that improve
