,NR 449 Evidence-Based Practice Exam
Prep — Comprehensive Review +
Practice MCQs — Chamberlain College
of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is reviewing the definition of evidence-based practice (EBP). Which of the following best describes
EBP?
A. The use of intuition and tradition to guide patient care decisions
B. The integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values
C. The strict adherence to hospital policy and procedure manuals
D. The application of findings from a single research study to all patient populations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EBP is defined as the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence, the nurse's
clinical expertise, and the patient's unique preferences and values to make informed clinical decisions . Option
A is incorrect because intuition and tradition are not evidence-based. Option C is incorrect because policy
alone does not constitute EBP. Option D is incorrect because EBP synthesizes multiple sources of evidence, not
just one study.
2. What is the primary goal of evidence-based practice in nursing?
A. To replace clinical judgment with research findings
,B. To improve patient outcomes by incorporating the best available evidence into clinical decision-making
C. To reduce healthcare costs by limiting unnecessary interventions
D. To standardize care so that all patients receive identical treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of EBP is to improve patient outcomes by incorporating the best available evidence
into clinical decision-making . EBP enhances, rather than replaces, clinical judgment. Cost reduction and
standardization may be secondary benefits but are not the primary goal.
3. Which step is considered the FIRST step in the evidence-based practice process?
A. Searching electronic databases for relevant research studies
B. Critically appraising the evidence for validity and applicability
C. Formulating a well-built clinical question using PICOT format
D. Evaluating the outcomes of the practice change
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The EBP process begins with asking a well-formulated clinical question using the PICOT format .
Searching databases is step 2. Critical appraisal is step 3. Evaluation is the final step. Without a focused
question, the search and appraisal process lacks direction.
, 4. What does the "P" in the PICOT format represent?
A. Procedure
B. Protocol
C. Patient population or problem of interest
D. Practice setting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In PICOT, "P" represents the Patient population or Problem of interest . The population identifies the
specific group of patients or the clinical problem being addressed. Procedure and protocol are not components
of PICOT.
5. A nurse is formulating a PICOT question regarding the use of chlorhexidine versus soap and water to reduce
central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Which component does "soap and water" represent?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
Prep — Comprehensive Review +
Practice MCQs — Chamberlain College
of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is reviewing the definition of evidence-based practice (EBP). Which of the following best describes
EBP?
A. The use of intuition and tradition to guide patient care decisions
B. The integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values
C. The strict adherence to hospital policy and procedure manuals
D. The application of findings from a single research study to all patient populations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EBP is defined as the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence, the nurse's
clinical expertise, and the patient's unique preferences and values to make informed clinical decisions . Option
A is incorrect because intuition and tradition are not evidence-based. Option C is incorrect because policy
alone does not constitute EBP. Option D is incorrect because EBP synthesizes multiple sources of evidence, not
just one study.
2. What is the primary goal of evidence-based practice in nursing?
A. To replace clinical judgment with research findings
,B. To improve patient outcomes by incorporating the best available evidence into clinical decision-making
C. To reduce healthcare costs by limiting unnecessary interventions
D. To standardize care so that all patients receive identical treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of EBP is to improve patient outcomes by incorporating the best available evidence
into clinical decision-making . EBP enhances, rather than replaces, clinical judgment. Cost reduction and
standardization may be secondary benefits but are not the primary goal.
3. Which step is considered the FIRST step in the evidence-based practice process?
A. Searching electronic databases for relevant research studies
B. Critically appraising the evidence for validity and applicability
C. Formulating a well-built clinical question using PICOT format
D. Evaluating the outcomes of the practice change
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The EBP process begins with asking a well-formulated clinical question using the PICOT format .
Searching databases is step 2. Critical appraisal is step 3. Evaluation is the final step. Without a focused
question, the search and appraisal process lacks direction.
, 4. What does the "P" in the PICOT format represent?
A. Procedure
B. Protocol
C. Patient population or problem of interest
D. Practice setting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In PICOT, "P" represents the Patient population or Problem of interest . The population identifies the
specific group of patients or the clinical problem being addressed. Procedure and protocol are not components
of PICOT.
5. A nurse is formulating a PICOT question regarding the use of chlorhexidine versus soap and water to reduce
central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Which component does "soap and water" represent?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
