NSGD 2216 Critical Inquiry & Evidence-
Informed Practice Q&A Comprehensive
Exam Bank
Q1: What is the primary purpose of evidence-informed practice (EIP) in nursing?
A) Reduce healthcare costs and overall hospital stays
B) Replace traditional clinical judgment with strict research protocols
C) Integrate research, clinical expertise, and patient values for optimal care
D) Ensure all nursing staff follow the exact same routines without exception
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: EIP does not rely solely on research. It blends the best available research
evidence with internal clinical expertise and the unique values/preferences of the
patient.
, Q2: A nurse questions an institutional policy requiring a specific dressing change
method because recent studies suggest a better alternative. What is this nurse
demonstrating?
A) Critical inquiry
B) Information literacy
C) Clinical non-compliance
D) Cognitive bias
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Critical inquiry is an intentional process of questioning assumptions,
challenging existing routines, and analyzing data to improve patient safety.
Q3: Which of the following best defines "critical inquiry" within nursing practice
standards?
A) Mechanically following a step-by-step procedure manual
B) A deliberate, reflective process of examining assumptions and evidence
C) Memorizing statistical formulas for quantitative research papers
D) Accepting clinical habits because they have historical precedent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical inquiry goes beyond basic memory. It requires active reflection and
testing everyday clinical actions against verified facts.
Q4: What is the most significant danger of a nursing culture that lacks critical
inquiry?
A) Increased nursing school tuition rates
B) Stagnant routines that may cause preventable patient harm
C) Too many peer-reviewed articles being published
D) Accelerated changes to hospital policy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Without inquiry, outdated practices are maintained, increasing medical
errors and compromising safety guidelines.
Q5: Who is the ultimate authority regarding "patient preferences" in the EIP
framework?
A) The attending physician
B) The charge nurse
C) The patient or their substitute decision-maker
D) The institutional ethics board
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care requires that the client (or their legal advocate)
determines their own care preferences.
, 🧠 Module 2: Critical Thinking & The RED Model
Q6: In the RED Model of critical thinking, what does the letter "R" stand for?
A) Reflect on outcomes
B) Recognize assumptions
C) Review data
D) Rationalize actions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The RED acronym stands for Recognize assumptions, Evaluate arguments,
and Draw conclusions.
Q7: Which behavior is an example of failing to "Recognize Assumptions" in a
clinical scenario?
A) Assuming an older patient is confused simply because of their age
B) Double-checking a high-alert medication dose with a peer
C) Asking a patient to clarify their symptoms
D) Reviewing a lab report before administering a drug
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assuming advanced age automatically equals cognitive decline is a harmful,
unverified assumption.
Q8: What does the "Evaluate Arguments" phase of the RED model require a nurse
to do?
A) Agree with the loudest opinion in the room
B) Analyze objective evidence source quality without emotional bias
C) Reject any argument that contradicts personal beliefs
D) Dismiss qualitative data entirely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluating arguments demands an objective, systematic look at the facts
supporting or refuting a claim.
Q9: What is "metacognition" in the context of critical thinking?
A) Memorizing complex anatomical charts
B) Thinking about and analyzing your own thought processes
C) Following an electronic charting checklist
D) Delegating tasks to unregulated care providers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metacognition is self-appraisal. It is "thinking about thinking" to recognize
personal blind spots.
Q10: A nurse is willing to admit they do not know the answer to a complex clinical
problem and seeks out assistance. What trait are they showing?
Informed Practice Q&A Comprehensive
Exam Bank
Q1: What is the primary purpose of evidence-informed practice (EIP) in nursing?
A) Reduce healthcare costs and overall hospital stays
B) Replace traditional clinical judgment with strict research protocols
C) Integrate research, clinical expertise, and patient values for optimal care
D) Ensure all nursing staff follow the exact same routines without exception
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: EIP does not rely solely on research. It blends the best available research
evidence with internal clinical expertise and the unique values/preferences of the
patient.
, Q2: A nurse questions an institutional policy requiring a specific dressing change
method because recent studies suggest a better alternative. What is this nurse
demonstrating?
A) Critical inquiry
B) Information literacy
C) Clinical non-compliance
D) Cognitive bias
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Critical inquiry is an intentional process of questioning assumptions,
challenging existing routines, and analyzing data to improve patient safety.
Q3: Which of the following best defines "critical inquiry" within nursing practice
standards?
A) Mechanically following a step-by-step procedure manual
B) A deliberate, reflective process of examining assumptions and evidence
C) Memorizing statistical formulas for quantitative research papers
D) Accepting clinical habits because they have historical precedent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical inquiry goes beyond basic memory. It requires active reflection and
testing everyday clinical actions against verified facts.
Q4: What is the most significant danger of a nursing culture that lacks critical
inquiry?
A) Increased nursing school tuition rates
B) Stagnant routines that may cause preventable patient harm
C) Too many peer-reviewed articles being published
D) Accelerated changes to hospital policy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Without inquiry, outdated practices are maintained, increasing medical
errors and compromising safety guidelines.
Q5: Who is the ultimate authority regarding "patient preferences" in the EIP
framework?
A) The attending physician
B) The charge nurse
C) The patient or their substitute decision-maker
D) The institutional ethics board
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care requires that the client (or their legal advocate)
determines their own care preferences.
, 🧠 Module 2: Critical Thinking & The RED Model
Q6: In the RED Model of critical thinking, what does the letter "R" stand for?
A) Reflect on outcomes
B) Recognize assumptions
C) Review data
D) Rationalize actions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The RED acronym stands for Recognize assumptions, Evaluate arguments,
and Draw conclusions.
Q7: Which behavior is an example of failing to "Recognize Assumptions" in a
clinical scenario?
A) Assuming an older patient is confused simply because of their age
B) Double-checking a high-alert medication dose with a peer
C) Asking a patient to clarify their symptoms
D) Reviewing a lab report before administering a drug
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assuming advanced age automatically equals cognitive decline is a harmful,
unverified assumption.
Q8: What does the "Evaluate Arguments" phase of the RED model require a nurse
to do?
A) Agree with the loudest opinion in the room
B) Analyze objective evidence source quality without emotional bias
C) Reject any argument that contradicts personal beliefs
D) Dismiss qualitative data entirely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluating arguments demands an objective, systematic look at the facts
supporting or refuting a claim.
Q9: What is "metacognition" in the context of critical thinking?
A) Memorizing complex anatomical charts
B) Thinking about and analyzing your own thought processes
C) Following an electronic charting checklist
D) Delegating tasks to unregulated care providers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metacognition is self-appraisal. It is "thinking about thinking" to recognize
personal blind spots.
Q10: A nurse is willing to admit they do not know the answer to a complex clinical
problem and seeks out assistance. What trait are they showing?
