NR-325 Midterm Prep: Critical Thinking,
Assessment, and Evidence-Based Interventions
graded A+ with rationales 2026-2027
1. What is the primary purpose of nursing research?
A. To prove nursing theories
B. To improve patient outcomes and nursing practice
C. To replace clinical judgment
D. To collect data for hospitals
B. To improve patient outcomes and nursing practice
Rationale: Nursing research generates evidence that guides
safe, effective, and high-quality nursing care.
2. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is best defined as:
A. Using the most recent textbook
B. Following physician orders only
C. Integrating best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences
D. Conducting original research
C. Integrating best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences
Rationale: EBP combines research evidence, clinician expertise,
and patient values.
3. Which source is considered the highest level of evidence?
A. Expert opinion
B. Case study
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Systematic review
D. Systematic review
, Rationale: Systematic reviews synthesize multiple high-quality
studies, providing the strongest evidence.
4. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher is called the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable
C. Confounding variable
D. Outcome variable
B. Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is controlled or changed to
observe its effect.
5. The outcome being measured in a study is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Control variable
C. Dependent variable
D. Intervening variable
C. Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable responds to changes in the
independent variable.
6. Quantitative research is best described as research that:
A. Explores lived experiences
B. Uses numerical data and statistics
C. Focuses on meanings
D. Uses interviews only
B. Uses numerical data and statistics
Rationale: Quantitative research measures variables
numerically and analyzes them statistically.
,7. Qualitative research primarily focuses on:
A. Cause-and-effect relationships
B. Large sample sizes
C. Numerical measurement
D. Human experiences and meanings
D. Human experiences and meanings
Rationale: Qualitative research explores perceptions, feelings,
and experiences.
8. Which study design tests cause-and-effect relationships?
A. Descriptive
B. Correlational
C. Experimental
D. Qualitative
C. Experimental
Rationale: Experimental designs manipulate variables to
determine causality.
9. Random assignment helps reduce:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Bias
D. Sample size
C. Bias
Rationale: Random assignment balances unknown factors
between groups.
10. A sample is best described as:
A. The entire population
B. A subgroup of the population
, C. A theory
D. A hypothesis
B. A subgroup of the population
Rationale: Samples represent a portion of the population being
studied.
11. Reliability refers to:
A. Accuracy of measurement
B. Consistency of measurement
C. Ethical conduct
D. Applicability to practice
B. Consistency of measurement
Rationale: Reliable instruments produce stable and consistent
results.
12. Validity refers to whether an instrument:
A. Produces the same result
B. Is easy to use
C. Measures what it intends to measure
D. Is expensive
C. Measures what it intends to measure
Rationale: Validity reflects accuracy and truthfulness of
measurement.
13. A hypothesis is:
A. A proven fact
B. A random guess
C. A testable prediction
D. A literature summary
Assessment, and Evidence-Based Interventions
graded A+ with rationales 2026-2027
1. What is the primary purpose of nursing research?
A. To prove nursing theories
B. To improve patient outcomes and nursing practice
C. To replace clinical judgment
D. To collect data for hospitals
B. To improve patient outcomes and nursing practice
Rationale: Nursing research generates evidence that guides
safe, effective, and high-quality nursing care.
2. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is best defined as:
A. Using the most recent textbook
B. Following physician orders only
C. Integrating best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences
D. Conducting original research
C. Integrating best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences
Rationale: EBP combines research evidence, clinician expertise,
and patient values.
3. Which source is considered the highest level of evidence?
A. Expert opinion
B. Case study
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Systematic review
D. Systematic review
, Rationale: Systematic reviews synthesize multiple high-quality
studies, providing the strongest evidence.
4. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher is called the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable
C. Confounding variable
D. Outcome variable
B. Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is controlled or changed to
observe its effect.
5. The outcome being measured in a study is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Control variable
C. Dependent variable
D. Intervening variable
C. Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable responds to changes in the
independent variable.
6. Quantitative research is best described as research that:
A. Explores lived experiences
B. Uses numerical data and statistics
C. Focuses on meanings
D. Uses interviews only
B. Uses numerical data and statistics
Rationale: Quantitative research measures variables
numerically and analyzes them statistically.
,7. Qualitative research primarily focuses on:
A. Cause-and-effect relationships
B. Large sample sizes
C. Numerical measurement
D. Human experiences and meanings
D. Human experiences and meanings
Rationale: Qualitative research explores perceptions, feelings,
and experiences.
8. Which study design tests cause-and-effect relationships?
A. Descriptive
B. Correlational
C. Experimental
D. Qualitative
C. Experimental
Rationale: Experimental designs manipulate variables to
determine causality.
9. Random assignment helps reduce:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Bias
D. Sample size
C. Bias
Rationale: Random assignment balances unknown factors
between groups.
10. A sample is best described as:
A. The entire population
B. A subgroup of the population
, C. A theory
D. A hypothesis
B. A subgroup of the population
Rationale: Samples represent a portion of the population being
studied.
11. Reliability refers to:
A. Accuracy of measurement
B. Consistency of measurement
C. Ethical conduct
D. Applicability to practice
B. Consistency of measurement
Rationale: Reliable instruments produce stable and consistent
results.
12. Validity refers to whether an instrument:
A. Produces the same result
B. Is easy to use
C. Measures what it intends to measure
D. Is expensive
C. Measures what it intends to measure
Rationale: Validity reflects accuracy and truthfulness of
measurement.
13. A hypothesis is:
A. A proven fact
B. A random guess
C. A testable prediction
D. A literature summary
