NSG 324A Exam 2 V1 | NSG 324A
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Exam 2) | Grand Canyon University
1. When evaluating the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following sources represent the
highest levels of evidence available for clinical decision-making? (Select all that apply)
A. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
B. Meta-analyses of relevant studies
C. Expert committee reports and clinical opinions
D. Single descriptive or qualitative studies
E. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines based on systematic reviews
F. Case-control and cohort studies
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Explanation: Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines derived
from these syntheses sit at the top of the evidence pyramid. These sources provide the
most rigorous and synthesized data by evaluating multiple studies simultaneously to
reduce bias. Lower levels of evidence, such as single qualitative studies or expert opinions,
are useful for generating hypotheses but lack the statistical power of summarized evidence.
,2. A researcher is studying the effect of a new wound care protocol on the healing rate of
pressure ulcers. In this study, the ‘healing rate’ is considered which type of variable?
A. Independent variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Confounding variable
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The healing rate is the dependent variable because it is the outcome that the
researcher is measuring. The wound care protocol is the independent variable, as it is the
intervention being manipulated. In research, the dependent variable is expected to change
in response to the changes made to the independent variable.
3. A nursing student is reviewing a research article that utilizes a convenience sample. What is
the primary limitation the student should identify regarding this sampling method?
A. It significantly increases the risk of sampling bias and limits generalizability.
B. It is the most rigorous method for qualitative research.
C. It requires a large budget and extensive resources.
D. It ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: Convenience sampling involves selecting participants who are easily
accessible to the researcher, which often results in a non-representative sample. This lack
of representation makes it difficult to generalize the findings to the broader population.
Because participants are not chosen randomly, there is a high risk that the results reflect
the specific characteristics of the group rather than the population at large.
4. In a quantitative study, what is the primary purpose of using a control group?
A. To ensure that the experimental group receives the best possible care.
B. To allow participants to choose which group they prefer to join.
C. To increase the sample size to achieve statistical significance.
D. To provide a baseline for comparison to see the effects of the intervention.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A control group serves as a comparison point to determine if the
intervention or treatment had a measurable effect. By comparing the outcomes of the
experimental group to the control group, researchers can better isolate the impact of the
independent variable. This design helps to rule out other factors that might have caused the
observed changes in the dependent variable.
5. The PICO(T) format is used to develop a well-built clinical question. What do the
components of PICO(T) represent? (Select all that apply)
A. P - Population or Patient
B. I - Intervention or Interest
, C. C - Comparison intervention
D. O - Outcome
E. T - Timeframe
F. P - Protocol or Procedure
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: The PICO(T) framework is essential for guiding evidence-based practice
searches by defining specific parameters. Each letter represents a critical piece of the
clinical inquiry: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time. Using this
structure ensures that the researcher or clinician focuses on the most relevant evidence to
address a specific patient need.
6. Which of the following is considered the ‘gold standard’ for testing the effects of a specific
intervention in clinical research?
A. Qualitative phenomenological study
B. Correlational study
C. Retrospective chart review
D. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard
because they use randomization to minimize bias. By randomly assigning participants to
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Exam 2) | Grand Canyon University
1. When evaluating the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following sources represent the
highest levels of evidence available for clinical decision-making? (Select all that apply)
A. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
B. Meta-analyses of relevant studies
C. Expert committee reports and clinical opinions
D. Single descriptive or qualitative studies
E. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines based on systematic reviews
F. Case-control and cohort studies
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Explanation: Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines derived
from these syntheses sit at the top of the evidence pyramid. These sources provide the
most rigorous and synthesized data by evaluating multiple studies simultaneously to
reduce bias. Lower levels of evidence, such as single qualitative studies or expert opinions,
are useful for generating hypotheses but lack the statistical power of summarized evidence.
,2. A researcher is studying the effect of a new wound care protocol on the healing rate of
pressure ulcers. In this study, the ‘healing rate’ is considered which type of variable?
A. Independent variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Confounding variable
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The healing rate is the dependent variable because it is the outcome that the
researcher is measuring. The wound care protocol is the independent variable, as it is the
intervention being manipulated. In research, the dependent variable is expected to change
in response to the changes made to the independent variable.
3. A nursing student is reviewing a research article that utilizes a convenience sample. What is
the primary limitation the student should identify regarding this sampling method?
A. It significantly increases the risk of sampling bias and limits generalizability.
B. It is the most rigorous method for qualitative research.
C. It requires a large budget and extensive resources.
D. It ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: Convenience sampling involves selecting participants who are easily
accessible to the researcher, which often results in a non-representative sample. This lack
of representation makes it difficult to generalize the findings to the broader population.
Because participants are not chosen randomly, there is a high risk that the results reflect
the specific characteristics of the group rather than the population at large.
4. In a quantitative study, what is the primary purpose of using a control group?
A. To ensure that the experimental group receives the best possible care.
B. To allow participants to choose which group they prefer to join.
C. To increase the sample size to achieve statistical significance.
D. To provide a baseline for comparison to see the effects of the intervention.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A control group serves as a comparison point to determine if the
intervention or treatment had a measurable effect. By comparing the outcomes of the
experimental group to the control group, researchers can better isolate the impact of the
independent variable. This design helps to rule out other factors that might have caused the
observed changes in the dependent variable.
5. The PICO(T) format is used to develop a well-built clinical question. What do the
components of PICO(T) represent? (Select all that apply)
A. P - Population or Patient
B. I - Intervention or Interest
, C. C - Comparison intervention
D. O - Outcome
E. T - Timeframe
F. P - Protocol or Procedure
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: The PICO(T) framework is essential for guiding evidence-based practice
searches by defining specific parameters. Each letter represents a critical piece of the
clinical inquiry: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time. Using this
structure ensures that the researcher or clinician focuses on the most relevant evidence to
address a specific patient need.
6. Which of the following is considered the ‘gold standard’ for testing the effects of a specific
intervention in clinical research?
A. Qualitative phenomenological study
B. Correlational study
C. Retrospective chart review
D. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard
because they use randomization to minimize bias. By randomly assigning participants to
