WGU D223 – Evidence-Based Practice
Exam Questions With Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales|
2026/2027 Q&A | Instant Download
Pdf.
1. A nurse practitioner wants to determine whether implementing a
standardized fall-prevention protocol reduces inpatient falls
compared with usual care. Which component of evidence-based
practice is most directly represented by this question?
A. Clinical expertise
B. Patient preferences
C. Best available research evidence
D. Organizational culture
Answer: C. Best available research evidence
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates the best available
research evidence with clinical expertise, patient values and
preferences, and the clinical context. In this scenario, the practitioner is
specifically seeking research evidence to determine whether a fall-
prevention protocol is effective.
, 2. Which statement best describes evidence-based practice in
healthcare?
A. Following clinical guidelines regardless of patient preferences
B. Using the most recent research article to make every clinical decision
C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, patient preferences,
and contextual factors
D. Replacing professional judgment with statistical evidence
Answer: C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, patient
preferences, and contextual factors
Rationale: EBP is not simply the use of research findings. It combines the
strongest available evidence with professional expertise, patient or
population preferences and values, and the realities of the clinical
setting. Effective EBP therefore requires a balanced decision-making
process.
3. A clinician develops the following question: “In adults with
hypertension, does home blood-pressure monitoring compared
with clinic-only monitoring improve blood-pressure control over
six months?” Which element represents the intervention?
A. Adults with hypertension
B. Home blood-pressure monitoring
C. Clinic-only monitoring
D. Blood-pressure control over six months
Answer: B. Home blood-pressure monitoring
,Rationale: In a PICO question, P represents the population or problem, I
represents the intervention, C represents the comparison, and O
represents the outcome. Home blood-pressure monitoring is the
intervention being evaluated in this question.
4. Which PICO element describes the measurable result that the
researcher wants to determine?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Answer: D. Outcome
Rationale: The outcome is the measurable effect or result of an
intervention. Examples include reduction in blood pressure, decreased
infection rates, improved patient satisfaction, reduced hospital
readmissions, or improved functional status.
5. A healthcare professional asks, “Among adults with type 2
diabetes, does a structured exercise program compared with usual
care improve glycemic control?” What is the population in this
PICO question?
A. Structured exercise program
B. Usual care
C. Adults with type 2 diabetes
D. Improved glycemic control
, Answer: C. Adults with type 2 diabetes
Rationale: The population identifies the patient group or clinical
problem being studied. Here, adults with type 2 diabetes are the
population. The exercise program is the intervention, usual care is the
comparison, and improved glycemic control is the outcome.
6. Which type of research question is most appropriate for
determining whether a new intervention causes a measurable
change in patient outcomes?
A. Etiology question
B. Intervention question
C. Meaning question
D. Prediction question
Answer: B. Intervention question
Rationale: Intervention questions examine whether a treatment,
procedure, educational program, or other intervention produces a
desired outcome. These questions are often addressed using
experimental or quasi-experimental research designs.
7. A nurse is searching for evidence about whether hourly rounding
decreases patient falls. Which search strategy would most likely
produce relevant research?
A. Search only the phrase “patient safety”
B. Search broad healthcare websites without identifying key concepts
C. Combine terms related to hourly rounding, patient falls, and
Exam Questions With Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales|
2026/2027 Q&A | Instant Download
Pdf.
1. A nurse practitioner wants to determine whether implementing a
standardized fall-prevention protocol reduces inpatient falls
compared with usual care. Which component of evidence-based
practice is most directly represented by this question?
A. Clinical expertise
B. Patient preferences
C. Best available research evidence
D. Organizational culture
Answer: C. Best available research evidence
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates the best available
research evidence with clinical expertise, patient values and
preferences, and the clinical context. In this scenario, the practitioner is
specifically seeking research evidence to determine whether a fall-
prevention protocol is effective.
, 2. Which statement best describes evidence-based practice in
healthcare?
A. Following clinical guidelines regardless of patient preferences
B. Using the most recent research article to make every clinical decision
C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, patient preferences,
and contextual factors
D. Replacing professional judgment with statistical evidence
Answer: C. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, patient
preferences, and contextual factors
Rationale: EBP is not simply the use of research findings. It combines the
strongest available evidence with professional expertise, patient or
population preferences and values, and the realities of the clinical
setting. Effective EBP therefore requires a balanced decision-making
process.
3. A clinician develops the following question: “In adults with
hypertension, does home blood-pressure monitoring compared
with clinic-only monitoring improve blood-pressure control over
six months?” Which element represents the intervention?
A. Adults with hypertension
B. Home blood-pressure monitoring
C. Clinic-only monitoring
D. Blood-pressure control over six months
Answer: B. Home blood-pressure monitoring
,Rationale: In a PICO question, P represents the population or problem, I
represents the intervention, C represents the comparison, and O
represents the outcome. Home blood-pressure monitoring is the
intervention being evaluated in this question.
4. Which PICO element describes the measurable result that the
researcher wants to determine?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Answer: D. Outcome
Rationale: The outcome is the measurable effect or result of an
intervention. Examples include reduction in blood pressure, decreased
infection rates, improved patient satisfaction, reduced hospital
readmissions, or improved functional status.
5. A healthcare professional asks, “Among adults with type 2
diabetes, does a structured exercise program compared with usual
care improve glycemic control?” What is the population in this
PICO question?
A. Structured exercise program
B. Usual care
C. Adults with type 2 diabetes
D. Improved glycemic control
, Answer: C. Adults with type 2 diabetes
Rationale: The population identifies the patient group or clinical
problem being studied. Here, adults with type 2 diabetes are the
population. The exercise program is the intervention, usual care is the
comparison, and improved glycemic control is the outcome.
6. Which type of research question is most appropriate for
determining whether a new intervention causes a measurable
change in patient outcomes?
A. Etiology question
B. Intervention question
C. Meaning question
D. Prediction question
Answer: B. Intervention question
Rationale: Intervention questions examine whether a treatment,
procedure, educational program, or other intervention produces a
desired outcome. These questions are often addressed using
experimental or quasi-experimental research designs.
7. A nurse is searching for evidence about whether hourly rounding
decreases patient falls. Which search strategy would most likely
produce relevant research?
A. Search only the phrase “patient safety”
B. Search broad healthcare websites without identifying key concepts
C. Combine terms related to hourly rounding, patient falls, and
