BSN Evidence-Based Practice
Examination Practice Questions &
[Verified Answers], Plus Explained
Rationales|2026 Latest Update| Instant
Download PDF
Question 1
Which statement best describes evidence-based practice (EBP) in
nursing?
A. Using only research findings when caring for patients
B. Following clinical guidelines regardless of patient preferences
C. Integrating best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences and values
D. Using the most commonly accepted nursing intervention
Answer: C. Integrating best available evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences and values
Rationale: EBP combines the best current research evidence with the
nurse's clinical expertise and the patient's preferences, values, and
circumstances. This integration supports individualized, scientifically
informed care.
Question 2
A nurse wants to determine whether hourly rounding decreases patient
falls compared with usual nursing care. Which component of a PICOT
question represents "decreased patient falls"?
1|Page
,A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Answer: D. Outcome
Rationale: The outcome is the measurable result expected from the
intervention. In this case, the desired outcome is a reduction in patient
falls.
Question 3
Which question is most appropriately written as a PICOT question?
A. Why do patients fall in hospitals?
B. Does nursing education improve patient care?
C. In hospitalized older adults, does hourly rounding compared with
usual care reduce falls during hospitalization?
D. What causes medication errors?
Answer: C. In hospitalized older adults, does hourly rounding
compared with usual care reduce falls during hospitalization?
Rationale: This question clearly identifies the population, intervention,
comparison, outcome, and clinical context. It is therefore
appropriately structured for evidence-based inquiry.
Question 4
In the PICOT framework, which element identifies the patient group or
clinical problem?
2|Page
,A. P
B. I
C. C
D. T
Answer: A. P
Rationale: P represents the patient population or problem. I
represents intervention, C comparison, O outcome, and T time when
applicable.
Question 5
A nurse searches for studies evaluating the effectiveness of
chlorhexidine bathing in preventing central-line-associated
bloodstream infections. Which search strategy would produce the most
focused results?
A. Chlorhexidine OR infection
B. Chlorhexidine AND central-line-associated bloodstream infection
C. Bathing NOT infection
D. Central lines OR patients
Answer: B. Chlorhexidine AND central-line-associated bloodstream
infection
Rationale: The Boolean operator AND requires both concepts to
appear, narrowing the search to studies addressing the relationship
between chlorhexidine bathing and central-line-associated
bloodstream infection.
Question 6
3|Page
, Which Boolean operator broadens a literature search by retrieving
results containing either of two terms?
A. AND
B. NOT
C. OR
D. WITH
Answer: C. OR
Rationale: OR broadens a search because a result can contain either
search term. AND narrows a search by requiring both terms, while
NOT excludes terms.
Question 7
A nurse is evaluating the quality of a randomized controlled trial before
applying its findings. Which question is most important?
A. Is the article less than one year old?
B. Was the study published in a nursing journal?
C. Was randomization appropriately performed?
D. Does the article contain colorful figures?
Answer: C. Was randomization appropriately performed?
Rationale: Proper randomization reduces selection bias and
strengthens internal validity. It is a critical methodological feature
when evaluating a randomized controlled trial.
Question 8
Which type of research design generally provides the strongest
evidence for determining the effectiveness of an intervention?
4|Page
Examination Practice Questions &
[Verified Answers], Plus Explained
Rationales|2026 Latest Update| Instant
Download PDF
Question 1
Which statement best describes evidence-based practice (EBP) in
nursing?
A. Using only research findings when caring for patients
B. Following clinical guidelines regardless of patient preferences
C. Integrating best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences and values
D. Using the most commonly accepted nursing intervention
Answer: C. Integrating best available evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences and values
Rationale: EBP combines the best current research evidence with the
nurse's clinical expertise and the patient's preferences, values, and
circumstances. This integration supports individualized, scientifically
informed care.
Question 2
A nurse wants to determine whether hourly rounding decreases patient
falls compared with usual nursing care. Which component of a PICOT
question represents "decreased patient falls"?
1|Page
,A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Answer: D. Outcome
Rationale: The outcome is the measurable result expected from the
intervention. In this case, the desired outcome is a reduction in patient
falls.
Question 3
Which question is most appropriately written as a PICOT question?
A. Why do patients fall in hospitals?
B. Does nursing education improve patient care?
C. In hospitalized older adults, does hourly rounding compared with
usual care reduce falls during hospitalization?
D. What causes medication errors?
Answer: C. In hospitalized older adults, does hourly rounding
compared with usual care reduce falls during hospitalization?
Rationale: This question clearly identifies the population, intervention,
comparison, outcome, and clinical context. It is therefore
appropriately structured for evidence-based inquiry.
Question 4
In the PICOT framework, which element identifies the patient group or
clinical problem?
2|Page
,A. P
B. I
C. C
D. T
Answer: A. P
Rationale: P represents the patient population or problem. I
represents intervention, C comparison, O outcome, and T time when
applicable.
Question 5
A nurse searches for studies evaluating the effectiveness of
chlorhexidine bathing in preventing central-line-associated
bloodstream infections. Which search strategy would produce the most
focused results?
A. Chlorhexidine OR infection
B. Chlorhexidine AND central-line-associated bloodstream infection
C. Bathing NOT infection
D. Central lines OR patients
Answer: B. Chlorhexidine AND central-line-associated bloodstream
infection
Rationale: The Boolean operator AND requires both concepts to
appear, narrowing the search to studies addressing the relationship
between chlorhexidine bathing and central-line-associated
bloodstream infection.
Question 6
3|Page
, Which Boolean operator broadens a literature search by retrieving
results containing either of two terms?
A. AND
B. NOT
C. OR
D. WITH
Answer: C. OR
Rationale: OR broadens a search because a result can contain either
search term. AND narrows a search by requiring both terms, while
NOT excludes terms.
Question 7
A nurse is evaluating the quality of a randomized controlled trial before
applying its findings. Which question is most important?
A. Is the article less than one year old?
B. Was the study published in a nursing journal?
C. Was randomization appropriately performed?
D. Does the article contain colorful figures?
Answer: C. Was randomization appropriately performed?
Rationale: Proper randomization reduces selection bias and
strengthens internal validity. It is a critical methodological feature
when evaluating a randomized controlled trial.
Question 8
Which type of research design generally provides the strongest
evidence for determining the effectiveness of an intervention?
4|Page
