NSG 324A Final Exam V3 | NSG 324A
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. A nurse is developing a PICOT question for a clinical study regarding pressure ulcer
prevention. Which elements are correctly identified within the PICOT format? (Select All That
Apply)
A. P: Patients at risk for pressure ulcers
B. I: Implementation of a new air-mattress overlay
C. C: Comparison to standard foam mattress
D. O: Reduction in incidence of stage II ulcers
E. T: Timeframe of the 30-day post-intervention period
F. P: Post-operative orthopedic unit
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: The PICOT format includes the Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Timeframe. In this scenario, the population is the at-risk patient group, while
the unit (F) is the setting, not the population itself. Each identified component from A
through E aligns with the standardized evidence-based practice framework for formulating
a clinical question.
,2. Which level of evidence is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the hierarchy of evidence for
making clinical decisions about treatment effectiveness?
A. Systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
B. Single Correlational/Observational study
C. Expert opinion of clinical leaders
D. Case-control studies
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of all relevant randomized controlled
trials represent Level I evidence, which is the highest level in the hierarchy. This level
provides the most rigorous synthesis of data to minimize bias and provide reliable results.
Other levels, such as expert opinion or observational studies, provide lower levels of
certainty regarding cause-and-effect relationships.
3. In a quantitative research study, the nurse researcher identifies the ‘independent variable’
as which of the following?
A. The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the outcome
B. The outcome that the researcher wants to predict or explain
C. A variable that cannot be controlled by the researcher
D. The characteristic of the subjects that remains constant
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or treatment that is
manipulated or varied by the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable.
In experimental designs, this is the ‘cause’ in a cause-and-effect relationship. The
dependent variable, conversely, is the response or outcome that is measured by the
researcher.
4. A researcher is conducting a study on the lived experiences of mothers of children with
chronic illness. Which qualitative research tradition is most appropriate for this study?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Historical Research
C. Ethnography
D. Phenomenology
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the ‘lived experience’ of individuals regarding a
specific phenomenon to discover its essence. Grounded theory is used when the goal is to
develop a theory about social processes, while ethnography focuses on cultural patterns.
This specific research question targets the subjective meaning of a life experience, which is
the hallmark of phenomenological inquiry.
5. Which of the following are characteristics of a ‘Randomized Controlled Trial’ (RCT)? (Select
All That Apply)
A. An intervention or manipulation
, B. Control group for comparison
C. Random assignment to groups
D. Non-probability sampling
E. Prospective data collection
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: The three essential components of a true experimental design or RCT are
manipulation, control, and randomization. These studies are prospective as they follow
subjects forward in time to observe the effects of an intervention. Non-probability
sampling (D) is incorrect because RCTs typically aim for probability-based methods to
enhance generalizability.
6. A nurse identifies that a study used ‘Convenience Sampling.’ What is the primary limitation
of this sampling method?
A. It increases the risk of sampling bias and limits generalizability
B. It is too expensive and time-consuming
C. It requires a complex mathematical formula to select participants
D. It ensures that 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, which often leads to a sample that does not accurately represent the target
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. A nurse is developing a PICOT question for a clinical study regarding pressure ulcer
prevention. Which elements are correctly identified within the PICOT format? (Select All That
Apply)
A. P: Patients at risk for pressure ulcers
B. I: Implementation of a new air-mattress overlay
C. C: Comparison to standard foam mattress
D. O: Reduction in incidence of stage II ulcers
E. T: Timeframe of the 30-day post-intervention period
F. P: Post-operative orthopedic unit
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: The PICOT format includes the Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Timeframe. In this scenario, the population is the at-risk patient group, while
the unit (F) is the setting, not the population itself. Each identified component from A
through E aligns with the standardized evidence-based practice framework for formulating
a clinical question.
,2. Which level of evidence is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the hierarchy of evidence for
making clinical decisions about treatment effectiveness?
A. Systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
B. Single Correlational/Observational study
C. Expert opinion of clinical leaders
D. Case-control studies
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of all relevant randomized controlled
trials represent Level I evidence, which is the highest level in the hierarchy. This level
provides the most rigorous synthesis of data to minimize bias and provide reliable results.
Other levels, such as expert opinion or observational studies, provide lower levels of
certainty regarding cause-and-effect relationships.
3. In a quantitative research study, the nurse researcher identifies the ‘independent variable’
as which of the following?
A. The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the outcome
B. The outcome that the researcher wants to predict or explain
C. A variable that cannot be controlled by the researcher
D. The characteristic of the subjects that remains constant
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or treatment that is
manipulated or varied by the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable.
In experimental designs, this is the ‘cause’ in a cause-and-effect relationship. The
dependent variable, conversely, is the response or outcome that is measured by the
researcher.
4. A researcher is conducting a study on the lived experiences of mothers of children with
chronic illness. Which qualitative research tradition is most appropriate for this study?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Historical Research
C. Ethnography
D. Phenomenology
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the ‘lived experience’ of individuals regarding a
specific phenomenon to discover its essence. Grounded theory is used when the goal is to
develop a theory about social processes, while ethnography focuses on cultural patterns.
This specific research question targets the subjective meaning of a life experience, which is
the hallmark of phenomenological inquiry.
5. Which of the following are characteristics of a ‘Randomized Controlled Trial’ (RCT)? (Select
All That Apply)
A. An intervention or manipulation
, B. Control group for comparison
C. Random assignment to groups
D. Non-probability sampling
E. Prospective data collection
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: The three essential components of a true experimental design or RCT are
manipulation, control, and randomization. These studies are prospective as they follow
subjects forward in time to observe the effects of an intervention. Non-probability
sampling (D) is incorrect because RCTs typically aim for probability-based methods to
enhance generalizability.
6. A nurse identifies that a study used ‘Convenience Sampling.’ What is the primary limitation
of this sampling method?
A. It increases the risk of sampling bias and limits generalizability
B. It is too expensive and time-consuming
C. It requires a complex mathematical formula to select participants
D. It ensures that 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, which often leads to a sample that does not accurately represent the target
