NRS 445 Exam 4 V3 | NRS 445 Nursing Research
and Evidence-Based Practice | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NRS445 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon
University
1. A nurse researcher is examining the effect of a new skin care protocol on the incidence of
pressure injuries in an ICU setting. Which type of validity is most concerned with the extent
to which the researcher can conclude that the protocol, rather than extraneous variables,
caused the change in outcomes?
A. Internal validity
B. Construct validity
C. External validity
D. Content validity
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Internal validity refers to the degree to which it can be inferred that the
experimental treatment, rather than uncontrolled external factors, responsible for the
observed effects. Researchers must control for threats such as history, maturation, and
selection bias to strengthen this. In the context of an ICU skin protocol, ensuring no other
simultaneous interventions influenced the results is a hallmark of internal validity
assessment.
,2. When evaluating a quantitative research study, the nurse notes a Cronbach’s alpha
coefficient of 0.85 for the primary instrument. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. The instrument has low internal consistency.
B. The instrument has poor test-retest reliability.
C. The instrument has high internal consistency reliability.
D. The instrument is valid but not reliable.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cronbach’s alpha is a statistical measure used to assess the internal
consistency or reliability of a multi-item scale. A coefficient above 0.70 is generally
considered acceptable, while 0.80 or higher is regarded as good for established
instruments. Therefore, a score of 0.85 indicates that the items within the tool are highly
correlated and consistently measuring the same construct.
3. A researcher is selecting a sample for a study on maternal-child bonding and chooses to
recruit every 5th patient admitted to the postpartum unit. Which sampling method is being
utilized?
A. Systematic sampling
B. Stratified random sampling
C. Simple random sampling
D. Cluster sampling
,Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Systematic sampling involves selecting every ‘k-th’ individual from a list or
sequence after a random start. This method is often more convenient than simple random
sampling while still maintaining a level of objectivity. It is essential that the list does not
have a periodic pattern that coincides with the sampling interval, which could introduce
bias.
4. A nurse manager is implementing an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project using the Iowa
Model of Evidence-Based Practice. Which of the following are considered ‘triggers’ for an EBP
project according to this model? (Select all that apply)
A. New organizational standards or regulations
B. Identification of a clinical problem
C. Increased frequency of adverse events
D. A researcher’s personal interest in a topic
E. New data from benchmarking
F. A desire to publish in a nursing journal
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: Triggers in the Iowa Model are divided into knowledge-focused triggers and
problem-focused triggers. Knowledge-focused triggers include new research, national
guidelines, or organizational standards, while problem-focused triggers include clinical
, problems, financial data, and quality improvement data. Personal interest or a desire for
publication are not formal triggers within the structural framework of the Iowa Model.
5. In a study comparing two different wound dressings, the researcher finds a p-value of 0.02.
If the alpha level was set at 0.05, what should the researcher conclude?
A. The null hypothesis should be accepted.
B. There is a statistically significant difference between the two groups.
C. The results are not statistically significant.
D. A Type II error has occurred.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A p-value measures the probability that the observed results occurred by
chance if the null hypothesis were true. Since the p-value (0.02) is less than the pre-
specified alpha level (0.05), the researcher rejects the null hypothesis. This indicates that
the difference between the wound dressings is statistically significant and likely not due to
random variation.
6. A nurse is conducting a qualitative study to understand the lived experiences of patients
diagnosed with terminal cancer. Which research tradition is most appropriate for this goal?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Phenomenology
C. Ethnography
and Evidence-Based Practice | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NRS445 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon
University
1. A nurse researcher is examining the effect of a new skin care protocol on the incidence of
pressure injuries in an ICU setting. Which type of validity is most concerned with the extent
to which the researcher can conclude that the protocol, rather than extraneous variables,
caused the change in outcomes?
A. Internal validity
B. Construct validity
C. External validity
D. Content validity
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Internal validity refers to the degree to which it can be inferred that the
experimental treatment, rather than uncontrolled external factors, responsible for the
observed effects. Researchers must control for threats such as history, maturation, and
selection bias to strengthen this. In the context of an ICU skin protocol, ensuring no other
simultaneous interventions influenced the results is a hallmark of internal validity
assessment.
,2. When evaluating a quantitative research study, the nurse notes a Cronbach’s alpha
coefficient of 0.85 for the primary instrument. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. The instrument has low internal consistency.
B. The instrument has poor test-retest reliability.
C. The instrument has high internal consistency reliability.
D. The instrument is valid but not reliable.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cronbach’s alpha is a statistical measure used to assess the internal
consistency or reliability of a multi-item scale. A coefficient above 0.70 is generally
considered acceptable, while 0.80 or higher is regarded as good for established
instruments. Therefore, a score of 0.85 indicates that the items within the tool are highly
correlated and consistently measuring the same construct.
3. A researcher is selecting a sample for a study on maternal-child bonding and chooses to
recruit every 5th patient admitted to the postpartum unit. Which sampling method is being
utilized?
A. Systematic sampling
B. Stratified random sampling
C. Simple random sampling
D. Cluster sampling
,Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Systematic sampling involves selecting every ‘k-th’ individual from a list or
sequence after a random start. This method is often more convenient than simple random
sampling while still maintaining a level of objectivity. It is essential that the list does not
have a periodic pattern that coincides with the sampling interval, which could introduce
bias.
4. A nurse manager is implementing an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project using the Iowa
Model of Evidence-Based Practice. Which of the following are considered ‘triggers’ for an EBP
project according to this model? (Select all that apply)
A. New organizational standards or regulations
B. Identification of a clinical problem
C. Increased frequency of adverse events
D. A researcher’s personal interest in a topic
E. New data from benchmarking
F. A desire to publish in a nursing journal
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: Triggers in the Iowa Model are divided into knowledge-focused triggers and
problem-focused triggers. Knowledge-focused triggers include new research, national
guidelines, or organizational standards, while problem-focused triggers include clinical
, problems, financial data, and quality improvement data. Personal interest or a desire for
publication are not formal triggers within the structural framework of the Iowa Model.
5. In a study comparing two different wound dressings, the researcher finds a p-value of 0.02.
If the alpha level was set at 0.05, what should the researcher conclude?
A. The null hypothesis should be accepted.
B. There is a statistically significant difference between the two groups.
C. The results are not statistically significant.
D. A Type II error has occurred.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A p-value measures the probability that the observed results occurred by
chance if the null hypothesis were true. Since the p-value (0.02) is less than the pre-
specified alpha level (0.05), the researcher rejects the null hypothesis. This indicates that
the difference between the wound dressings is statistically significant and likely not due to
random variation.
6. A nurse is conducting a qualitative study to understand the lived experiences of patients
diagnosed with terminal cancer. Which research tradition is most appropriate for this goal?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Phenomenology
C. Ethnography
