NURS-FPX 4025 Research and Evidence-Based Decision
Making (2025) – Complete Final Exam Test Bank (70
Q&A + Rationales)
1. A nurse researcher is evaluating whether implementing bedside shift report
improves patient satisfaction on a medical–surgical unit. The nurse compares
HCAHPS scores from 3 months before and 3 months after implementation.
Which research design is MOST appropriate for this study?
Answer-: Quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design
Rationale:
Randomization is not possible when an intervention is implemented unit-wide. A
quasi-experimental design compares outcomes before/after an intervention
without random assignment.
2. A study on fall-prevention has a 48% dropout rate after 6 months. Which
validity threat does this MOST affect?
Answer-: Internal validity
Rationale:
High attrition threatens internal validity because differences between groups may
be related to who remained rather than the intervention.
, 3. A nurse reviews an evidence-based guideline created from a sample
consisting only of patients from a large urban hospital. What is the MAIN
limitation?
Answer-: Limited generalizability (external validity)
Rationale:
A narrow geographic sample decreases applicability to other populations.
4. Which PICOT question is correctly written?
Answer-:
In adults with chronic low-back pain (P), does structured physical therapy (I)
compared to usual care (C) reduce pain severity (O) over 8 weeks (T)?
Rationale:
Contains all 5 PICOT elements and a measurable outcome/time frame.
5. A nurse notices medication errors have increased by 17% over the last
quarter. What is the FIRST step in the EBP process?
Answer-: Identify the clinical issue
Rationale:
EBP begins with identifying the problem before PICOT formation.
6. Which level of evidence is highest on the research hierarchy?
Answer-: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Rationale:
Meta-analyses synthesize multiple RCTs, offering strongest evidence.
7. A study reports a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?
Answer-: Results are statistically significant
Making (2025) – Complete Final Exam Test Bank (70
Q&A + Rationales)
1. A nurse researcher is evaluating whether implementing bedside shift report
improves patient satisfaction on a medical–surgical unit. The nurse compares
HCAHPS scores from 3 months before and 3 months after implementation.
Which research design is MOST appropriate for this study?
Answer-: Quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design
Rationale:
Randomization is not possible when an intervention is implemented unit-wide. A
quasi-experimental design compares outcomes before/after an intervention
without random assignment.
2. A study on fall-prevention has a 48% dropout rate after 6 months. Which
validity threat does this MOST affect?
Answer-: Internal validity
Rationale:
High attrition threatens internal validity because differences between groups may
be related to who remained rather than the intervention.
, 3. A nurse reviews an evidence-based guideline created from a sample
consisting only of patients from a large urban hospital. What is the MAIN
limitation?
Answer-: Limited generalizability (external validity)
Rationale:
A narrow geographic sample decreases applicability to other populations.
4. Which PICOT question is correctly written?
Answer-:
In adults with chronic low-back pain (P), does structured physical therapy (I)
compared to usual care (C) reduce pain severity (O) over 8 weeks (T)?
Rationale:
Contains all 5 PICOT elements and a measurable outcome/time frame.
5. A nurse notices medication errors have increased by 17% over the last
quarter. What is the FIRST step in the EBP process?
Answer-: Identify the clinical issue
Rationale:
EBP begins with identifying the problem before PICOT formation.
6. Which level of evidence is highest on the research hierarchy?
Answer-: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Rationale:
Meta-analyses synthesize multiple RCTs, offering strongest evidence.
7. A study reports a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?
Answer-: Results are statistically significant
