N3321 Nursing Quality & Safety – Higher
Education Nursing Curriculum – 2026/2027
Academic Year – Verified Questions and
Answers for University-Level Nursing
Students
Question 1
A nurse researcher is studying the effects of a new fall prevention protocol on
hospitalized older adults. The researcher defines the target population as all adults
aged 65 and older who have been hospitalized in the past year. What is the accessible
population in this study?
A. All adults aged 65 and older in the United States.
B. Adults aged 65 and older who are currently hospitalized in the participating
healthcare facility.
C. All hospitalized adults regardless of age.
D. Adults aged 65 and older who have never been hospitalized.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The accessible population is the portion of the target population to which
the researcher has reasonable access. The target population is the entire set of
individuals who meet sampling criteria, while the accessible population represents those
available for recruitment. In this scenario, older adults currently hospitalized in the
,participating facility represent the accessible subset of the broader target population of
all hospitalized older adults .
Question 2
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between random
variation and systematic variation in research?
A. Random variation can be eliminated entirely, while systematic variation cannot.
B. Systematic variation introduces bias and should be avoided, while random variation
decreases with larger sample sizes.
C. Random variation is always preferred over systematic variation.
D. Systematic variation is expected and desirable in all studies.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Random variation refers to expected differences in values that occur when
different participants from the same sample are examined; as sample size increases,
random variation decreases and improves representativeness. Systematic variation is a
consequence of selecting study participants whose measurement values differ in some
specific way from those of the population—this introduces bias and should be avoided .
Question 3
A nurse with a BSN degree is expected to contribute to nursing research by primarily:
A. Independently developing national evidence-based practice protocols.
B. Reading and appraising studies and using evidence-based practice with guidance.
C. Conducting funded research programs independently.
D. Leading programs of research and obtaining research funding.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The research role of a BSN-prepared nurse includes reading and appraising
research studies, assisting with problem identification, and using evidence-based
practice with guidance. More advanced roles, such as independently leading research or
, developing national protocols, are typically associated with graduate degrees like the
MSN, DNP, or PhD .
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of a literature review in a research study?
A. To prove the researcher's hypothesis is correct.
B. To provide background, identify current knowledge, and reveal knowledge gaps.
C. To detail the statistical methods used in the study.
D. To describe the study's participants in detail.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The literature review provides the background for the study and establishes
current knowledge on the topic. Its primary purpose is to identify gaps in the existing
knowledge, which the new study aims to address. It explains how the study is being
reported and has contributed to knowledge .
Question 5
Which of the following describes the PICO format for asking a clinical question?
A. Patient/Population, Issue, Comparison, Outcome.
B. Problem, Intervention, Control, Outcome.
C. Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome.
D. Patient, Intervention, Concern, Outcome.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PICO questions are represented by the following: (P) patient/population of
interest, (I) intervention of interest, (C) comparison of interest, and (O) outcome of
interest .
Question 6
Education Nursing Curriculum – 2026/2027
Academic Year – Verified Questions and
Answers for University-Level Nursing
Students
Question 1
A nurse researcher is studying the effects of a new fall prevention protocol on
hospitalized older adults. The researcher defines the target population as all adults
aged 65 and older who have been hospitalized in the past year. What is the accessible
population in this study?
A. All adults aged 65 and older in the United States.
B. Adults aged 65 and older who are currently hospitalized in the participating
healthcare facility.
C. All hospitalized adults regardless of age.
D. Adults aged 65 and older who have never been hospitalized.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The accessible population is the portion of the target population to which
the researcher has reasonable access. The target population is the entire set of
individuals who meet sampling criteria, while the accessible population represents those
available for recruitment. In this scenario, older adults currently hospitalized in the
,participating facility represent the accessible subset of the broader target population of
all hospitalized older adults .
Question 2
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between random
variation and systematic variation in research?
A. Random variation can be eliminated entirely, while systematic variation cannot.
B. Systematic variation introduces bias and should be avoided, while random variation
decreases with larger sample sizes.
C. Random variation is always preferred over systematic variation.
D. Systematic variation is expected and desirable in all studies.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Random variation refers to expected differences in values that occur when
different participants from the same sample are examined; as sample size increases,
random variation decreases and improves representativeness. Systematic variation is a
consequence of selecting study participants whose measurement values differ in some
specific way from those of the population—this introduces bias and should be avoided .
Question 3
A nurse with a BSN degree is expected to contribute to nursing research by primarily:
A. Independently developing national evidence-based practice protocols.
B. Reading and appraising studies and using evidence-based practice with guidance.
C. Conducting funded research programs independently.
D. Leading programs of research and obtaining research funding.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The research role of a BSN-prepared nurse includes reading and appraising
research studies, assisting with problem identification, and using evidence-based
practice with guidance. More advanced roles, such as independently leading research or
, developing national protocols, are typically associated with graduate degrees like the
MSN, DNP, or PhD .
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of a literature review in a research study?
A. To prove the researcher's hypothesis is correct.
B. To provide background, identify current knowledge, and reveal knowledge gaps.
C. To detail the statistical methods used in the study.
D. To describe the study's participants in detail.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The literature review provides the background for the study and establishes
current knowledge on the topic. Its primary purpose is to identify gaps in the existing
knowledge, which the new study aims to address. It explains how the study is being
reported and has contributed to knowledge .
Question 5
Which of the following describes the PICO format for asking a clinical question?
A. Patient/Population, Issue, Comparison, Outcome.
B. Problem, Intervention, Control, Outcome.
C. Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome.
D. Patient, Intervention, Concern, Outcome.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PICO questions are represented by the following: (P) patient/population of
interest, (I) intervention of interest, (C) comparison of interest, and (O) outcome of
interest .
Question 6
