Nursing Research, Evidence-
Based Practice, and Informatics
year 2026
### Question 1
The nurse researcher is designing a quantitative study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new fall
prevention protocol. Which type of research design provides the strongest evidence for clinical practice?
A. Quasi-experimental design
B. Randomized controlled trial
C. Correlational design
D. Descriptive design
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) provides the strongest evidence for clinical
practice because it minimizes bias through randomization and controls for confounding variables. The
RCT is considered the "gold standard" for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Randomized controlled trial
---
### Question 2
The nurse is appraising a research article and notes that the study used a convenience sample of 30
participants. Which concern is most relevant to this sampling method?
A. Increased risk of Type I error
B. Decreased external validity
C. Increased statistical power
D. Decreased risk of selection bias
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Convenience sampling involves selecting participants who are readily available.
This increases the risk of sampling bias and decreases external validity, making it difficult to generalize
findings to the broader population. The small sample size may also reduce statistical power.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Decreased external validity
---
### Question 3
,A nurse manager is implementing an evidence-based practice change to reduce catheter-associated
urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Which step should the nurse take first in the evidence-based practice
process?
A. Search for the best available evidence
B. Formulate a clinical question using the PICO format
C. Evaluate the outcomes of the practice change
D. Appraise the quality of the evidence
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is to formulate a clinical
question using the PICO format (Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). This focused
question guides the search for relevant evidence and ensures efficient use of resources.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Formulate a clinical question using the PICO format
---
### Question 4
The nurse is reading a research study that reports a p-value of 0.04. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. The results are statistically significant
B. The results are clinically significant
C. There is a 4% chance the results are due to random error
D. Both A and C
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A p-value of 0.04 indicates statistical significance because it is less than the
conventional alpha level of 0.05. It means there is a 4% probability that the results are due to chance.
However, statistical significance does not automatically indicate clinical significance.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. Both A and C
---
### Question 5
The nurse is implementing a new evidence-based protocol for pain management. Which factor is most
important for promoting adoption of the new protocol?
A. The protocol is supported by the hospital administration
B. The protocol has a clear benefit for patient outcomes
C. The protocol is easy to implement and requires minimal training
D. The protocol was developed by expert clinicians
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A clear benefit for patient outcomes is the most important factor for promoting
adoption of evidence-based practice. Clinicians are more likely to adopt new practices when they can
see direct, meaningful improvements in patient care and outcomes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. The protocol has a clear benefit for patient outcomes
---
Based Practice, and Informatics
year 2026
### Question 1
The nurse researcher is designing a quantitative study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new fall
prevention protocol. Which type of research design provides the strongest evidence for clinical practice?
A. Quasi-experimental design
B. Randomized controlled trial
C. Correlational design
D. Descriptive design
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) provides the strongest evidence for clinical
practice because it minimizes bias through randomization and controls for confounding variables. The
RCT is considered the "gold standard" for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Randomized controlled trial
---
### Question 2
The nurse is appraising a research article and notes that the study used a convenience sample of 30
participants. Which concern is most relevant to this sampling method?
A. Increased risk of Type I error
B. Decreased external validity
C. Increased statistical power
D. Decreased risk of selection bias
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Convenience sampling involves selecting participants who are readily available.
This increases the risk of sampling bias and decreases external validity, making it difficult to generalize
findings to the broader population. The small sample size may also reduce statistical power.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Decreased external validity
---
### Question 3
,A nurse manager is implementing an evidence-based practice change to reduce catheter-associated
urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Which step should the nurse take first in the evidence-based practice
process?
A. Search for the best available evidence
B. Formulate a clinical question using the PICO format
C. Evaluate the outcomes of the practice change
D. Appraise the quality of the evidence
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is to formulate a clinical
question using the PICO format (Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). This focused
question guides the search for relevant evidence and ensures efficient use of resources.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Formulate a clinical question using the PICO format
---
### Question 4
The nurse is reading a research study that reports a p-value of 0.04. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. The results are statistically significant
B. The results are clinically significant
C. There is a 4% chance the results are due to random error
D. Both A and C
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A p-value of 0.04 indicates statistical significance because it is less than the
conventional alpha level of 0.05. It means there is a 4% probability that the results are due to chance.
However, statistical significance does not automatically indicate clinical significance.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. Both A and C
---
### Question 5
The nurse is implementing a new evidence-based protocol for pain management. Which factor is most
important for promoting adoption of the new protocol?
A. The protocol is supported by the hospital administration
B. The protocol has a clear benefit for patient outcomes
C. The protocol is easy to implement and requires minimal training
D. The protocol was developed by expert clinicians
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A clear benefit for patient outcomes is the most important factor for promoting
adoption of evidence-based practice. Clinicians are more likely to adopt new practices when they can
see direct, meaningful improvements in patient care and outcomes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. The protocol has a clear benefit for patient outcomes
---
