NRS 445 Final Exam V1 | NRS 445 Nursing
Research and Evidence-Based Practice | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NRS445 Final Exam) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A nurse is formulating a PICOT question to investigate the impact of pressure mattress
overlays on skin integrity in elderly patients. In this scenario, what does the ‘I’ represent?
A. Pressure mattress overlays
B. Elderly patients
C. Skin integrity
D. Standard hospital mattresses
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In the PICOT format, ‘I’ stands for the Intervention or issue of interest, which
in this case is the pressure mattress overlay. The ‘P’ represents the population, ‘C’
represents the comparison, and ‘O’ represents the outcome. Understanding each
component is essential for developing a focused clinical question that guides a systematic
search for evidence.
2. According to the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following is considered the strongest
level of evidence for informing clinical practice?
A. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
B. Expert opinion of authorities
,C. Case-control study
D. Systematic review of meta-analysis of RCTs
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A systematic review or meta-analysis of all relevant randomized controlled
trials (RCTs) represents Level I evidence, the highest level in the hierarchy. This level
provides the most rigorous and reliable data because it synthesizes results from multiple
high-quality studies. Lower levels, such as expert opinion (Level VII), are considered the
least reliable due to potential bias.
3. Which of the following are core ethical principles identified in the Belmont Report for the
protection of human subjects in research? (Select All That Apply)
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Respect for Persons
D. Veracity
E. Non-maleficence
F. Autonomy
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: The Belmont Report outlines three fundamental ethical principles: Respect
for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice. Respect for persons involves recognizing autonomy
,and protecting those with diminished autonomy, while beneficence focuses on maximizing
benefits and minimizing harms. Justice addresses the fair distribution of the burdens and
benefits of research across different populations.
4. A researcher is conducting a study to understand the lived experience of parents who have
lost a child to a terminal illness. Which qualitative research design is most appropriate?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Phenomenology
C. Ethnography
D. Historical Research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Phenomenology is a qualitative research approach that focuses on describing
the ‘lived experience’ of individuals regarding a specific phenomenon. This method seeks to
understand the essence of the experience from the perspective of those who have lived it.
Grounded theory, in contrast, aims to develop a theory based on data, while ethnography
focuses on cultural patterns.
5. What is the primary difference between a quasi-experimental study and a true
experimental study?
A. The use of a control group
B. The measurement of a dependent variable
C. The manipulation of an independent variable
, D. Random assignment of participants to groups
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The defining characteristic that distinguishes a true experiment from a quasi-
experimental design is the random assignment of subjects to groups. Both designs involve
the manipulation of an independent variable, but quasi-experiments lack random
assignment, which weakens the ability to infer causality. Randomization helps ensure that
any differences found between groups are due to the intervention rather than pre-existing
differences.
6. A nurse researcher is evaluating a new screening tool for depression. The tool yields
consistent results when administered to the same patient multiple times under the same
conditions. This consistency is known as:
A. Reliability
B. Validity
C. Sensitivity
D. Specificity
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Reliability refers to the consistency or stability of a measurement tool over
time and across different conditions. If a tool is reliable, it produces the same results
repeatedly when measuring the same unchanging attribute. Validity, on the other hand,
refers to the degree to which a tool actually measures what it is intended to measure.
Research and Evidence-Based Practice | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NRS445 Final Exam) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A nurse is formulating a PICOT question to investigate the impact of pressure mattress
overlays on skin integrity in elderly patients. In this scenario, what does the ‘I’ represent?
A. Pressure mattress overlays
B. Elderly patients
C. Skin integrity
D. Standard hospital mattresses
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In the PICOT format, ‘I’ stands for the Intervention or issue of interest, which
in this case is the pressure mattress overlay. The ‘P’ represents the population, ‘C’
represents the comparison, and ‘O’ represents the outcome. Understanding each
component is essential for developing a focused clinical question that guides a systematic
search for evidence.
2. According to the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following is considered the strongest
level of evidence for informing clinical practice?
A. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
B. Expert opinion of authorities
,C. Case-control study
D. Systematic review of meta-analysis of RCTs
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A systematic review or meta-analysis of all relevant randomized controlled
trials (RCTs) represents Level I evidence, the highest level in the hierarchy. This level
provides the most rigorous and reliable data because it synthesizes results from multiple
high-quality studies. Lower levels, such as expert opinion (Level VII), are considered the
least reliable due to potential bias.
3. Which of the following are core ethical principles identified in the Belmont Report for the
protection of human subjects in research? (Select All That Apply)
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Respect for Persons
D. Veracity
E. Non-maleficence
F. Autonomy
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: The Belmont Report outlines three fundamental ethical principles: Respect
for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice. Respect for persons involves recognizing autonomy
,and protecting those with diminished autonomy, while beneficence focuses on maximizing
benefits and minimizing harms. Justice addresses the fair distribution of the burdens and
benefits of research across different populations.
4. A researcher is conducting a study to understand the lived experience of parents who have
lost a child to a terminal illness. Which qualitative research design is most appropriate?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Phenomenology
C. Ethnography
D. Historical Research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Phenomenology is a qualitative research approach that focuses on describing
the ‘lived experience’ of individuals regarding a specific phenomenon. This method seeks to
understand the essence of the experience from the perspective of those who have lived it.
Grounded theory, in contrast, aims to develop a theory based on data, while ethnography
focuses on cultural patterns.
5. What is the primary difference between a quasi-experimental study and a true
experimental study?
A. The use of a control group
B. The measurement of a dependent variable
C. The manipulation of an independent variable
, D. Random assignment of participants to groups
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The defining characteristic that distinguishes a true experiment from a quasi-
experimental design is the random assignment of subjects to groups. Both designs involve
the manipulation of an independent variable, but quasi-experiments lack random
assignment, which weakens the ability to infer causality. Randomization helps ensure that
any differences found between groups are due to the intervention rather than pre-existing
differences.
6. A nurse researcher is evaluating a new screening tool for depression. The tool yields
consistent results when administered to the same patient multiple times under the same
conditions. This consistency is known as:
A. Reliability
B. Validity
C. Sensitivity
D. Specificity
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Reliability refers to the consistency or stability of a measurement tool over
time and across different conditions. If a tool is reliable, it produces the same results
repeatedly when measuring the same unchanging attribute. Validity, on the other hand,
refers to the degree to which a tool actually measures what it is intended to measure.
