NSG 324A Final Exam V1 | NSG 324A
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. When formulating a clinical question using the PICOT format, what does the ‘C’ represent?
A. Comparison of interest
B. Clinical setting
C. Control group only
D. Confounding variables
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ‘C’ in the PICOT mnemonic specifically stands for the Comparison of
Interest. This element allows the researcher or clinician to compare the intervention of
interest against the standard of care or an alternative treatment. It is a critical component
for establishing the relative effectiveness of the proposed intervention in evidence-based
practice.
2. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the hierarchy of evidence for clinical
decision-making?
A. Case-control studies
B. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
,C. Expert opinion and consensus reports
D. Single descriptive or qualitative studies
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all relevant randomized controlled
trials represent Level I evidence, the highest in the hierarchy. This level of evidence
synthesizes findings from multiple high-quality studies to provide the strongest basis for
clinical practice. It reduces the risk of bias that may be present in individual studies or
lower levels of evidence.
3. In the context of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), which of the following are considered
essential components of the ‘EBP Triad’? (Select all that apply)
A. Best research evidence
B. Clinical expertise
C. Patient values and preferences
D. Facility budget constraints
E. Hospital accreditation status
F. The nurse’s personal schedule
Correct Answer: ABC
Explanation: Evidence-Based Practice is defined by the integration of clinical expertise
with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. Furthermore,
, the triad includes the values and preferences of the patient, ensuring that care is person-
centered. Ignoring any of these three components results in a practice that is not truly
evidence-based.
4. A researcher is studying the lived experience of mothers who have lost a child to sudden
infant death syndrome. Which research design is most appropriate?
A. Experimental design
B. Phenomenology
C. Correlational research
D. Quasi-experimental design
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Phenomenology is a qualitative research method used to describe the
essence of a lived experience of a phenomenon from the perspective of the participants.
This design is ideal for understanding the deep, subjective meanings of human experiences
like grief or loss. Unlike quantitative designs, it does not seek to measure variables but to
understand human meaning.
5. A nurse identifies that a research study has a p-value of 0.02. How should this result be
interpreted?
A. The results are not statistically significant.
B. There is a 20% chance that the results are due to error.
C. The results are statistically significant, assuming an alpha of 0.05.
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. When formulating a clinical question using the PICOT format, what does the ‘C’ represent?
A. Comparison of interest
B. Clinical setting
C. Control group only
D. Confounding variables
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ‘C’ in the PICOT mnemonic specifically stands for the Comparison of
Interest. This element allows the researcher or clinician to compare the intervention of
interest against the standard of care or an alternative treatment. It is a critical component
for establishing the relative effectiveness of the proposed intervention in evidence-based
practice.
2. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the hierarchy of evidence for clinical
decision-making?
A. Case-control studies
B. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
,C. Expert opinion and consensus reports
D. Single descriptive or qualitative studies
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all relevant randomized controlled
trials represent Level I evidence, the highest in the hierarchy. This level of evidence
synthesizes findings from multiple high-quality studies to provide the strongest basis for
clinical practice. It reduces the risk of bias that may be present in individual studies or
lower levels of evidence.
3. In the context of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), which of the following are considered
essential components of the ‘EBP Triad’? (Select all that apply)
A. Best research evidence
B. Clinical expertise
C. Patient values and preferences
D. Facility budget constraints
E. Hospital accreditation status
F. The nurse’s personal schedule
Correct Answer: ABC
Explanation: Evidence-Based Practice is defined by the integration of clinical expertise
with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. Furthermore,
, the triad includes the values and preferences of the patient, ensuring that care is person-
centered. Ignoring any of these three components results in a practice that is not truly
evidence-based.
4. A researcher is studying the lived experience of mothers who have lost a child to sudden
infant death syndrome. Which research design is most appropriate?
A. Experimental design
B. Phenomenology
C. Correlational research
D. Quasi-experimental design
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Phenomenology is a qualitative research method used to describe the
essence of a lived experience of a phenomenon from the perspective of the participants.
This design is ideal for understanding the deep, subjective meanings of human experiences
like grief or loss. Unlike quantitative designs, it does not seek to measure variables but to
understand human meaning.
5. A nurse identifies that a research study has a p-value of 0.02. How should this result be
interpreted?
A. The results are not statistically significant.
B. There is a 20% chance that the results are due to error.
C. The results are statistically significant, assuming an alpha of 0.05.