NUR 3270 NURSING RESEARCH AND
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE FINAL
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. In the evidence-based practice process, what is the primary goal of the ‘PICO(T)’ format?
A. To provide a structured method for searching the literature
B. To develop a clinical question that focuses the search for evidence
C. To facilitate the systematic review of qualitative data
D. To ensure that all clinical research meets ethical standards
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The PICO(T) format (Patient/Population, Intervention,
Comparison, Outcome, Time) is used to refine and focus clinical questions to make the
search for evidence more efficient and relevant.
2. According to the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following provides the highest level of
evidence for clinical decision-making?
A. Case-control studies
B. Expert opinion and consensus reports
,C. Well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
D. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Level I evidence consists of systematic reviews or meta-analyses
of all relevant randomized controlled trials, providing the most rigorous synthesis of
evidence.
3. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report requires researchers to maximize benefits
and minimize harms to participants?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Respect for Persons
D. Beneficence
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence is the ethical principle that focuses on the duty to
do no harm and to maximize the potential benefits for research participants.
4. A researcher is studying the effect of sleep deprivation on the blood pressure of nursing
students. What is the independent variable in this study?
A. Blood pressure
B. Sleep deprivation
, C. The environment of the study
D. Nursing students
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or factor being
manipulated or tested (sleep deprivation) to see its effect on the dependent variable (blood
pressure).
5. What is the primary difference between a null hypothesis and an alternative (research)
hypothesis?
A. The null hypothesis predicts a negative relationship, while the alternative predicts a
positive one
B. The alternative hypothesis is only used in qualitative research
C. The null hypothesis assumes no relationship between variables, whereas the alternative
assumes a relationship exists
D. The null hypothesis is what the researcher actually believes will happen
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The null hypothesis (H0) states that there is no statistical
significance between the variables; the alternative hypothesis (H1) states that there is a
relationship or effect.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE FINAL
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. In the evidence-based practice process, what is the primary goal of the ‘PICO(T)’ format?
A. To provide a structured method for searching the literature
B. To develop a clinical question that focuses the search for evidence
C. To facilitate the systematic review of qualitative data
D. To ensure that all clinical research meets ethical standards
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The PICO(T) format (Patient/Population, Intervention,
Comparison, Outcome, Time) is used to refine and focus clinical questions to make the
search for evidence more efficient and relevant.
2. According to the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following provides the highest level of
evidence for clinical decision-making?
A. Case-control studies
B. Expert opinion and consensus reports
,C. Well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
D. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Level I evidence consists of systematic reviews or meta-analyses
of all relevant randomized controlled trials, providing the most rigorous synthesis of
evidence.
3. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report requires researchers to maximize benefits
and minimize harms to participants?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Respect for Persons
D. Beneficence
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence is the ethical principle that focuses on the duty to
do no harm and to maximize the potential benefits for research participants.
4. A researcher is studying the effect of sleep deprivation on the blood pressure of nursing
students. What is the independent variable in this study?
A. Blood pressure
B. Sleep deprivation
, C. The environment of the study
D. Nursing students
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or factor being
manipulated or tested (sleep deprivation) to see its effect on the dependent variable (blood
pressure).
5. What is the primary difference between a null hypothesis and an alternative (research)
hypothesis?
A. The null hypothesis predicts a negative relationship, while the alternative predicts a
positive one
B. The alternative hypothesis is only used in qualitative research
C. The null hypothesis assumes no relationship between variables, whereas the alternative
assumes a relationship exists
D. The null hypothesis is what the researcher actually believes will happen
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The null hypothesis (H0) states that there is no statistical
significance between the variables; the alternative hypothesis (H1) states that there is a
relationship or effect.
