NUR 204 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE Q&A 2026
1. Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice
(EBP) in nursing?
A. Using only the latest research findings to guide clinical decisions
B. Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
C. Following established hospital protocols without deviation
D. Relying primarily on expert opinion and traditional practices
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: EBP is defined as the integration of best research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences.
Option A is incorrect because EBP requires more than just
research; Option C ignores individual patient needs; Option D
represents traditional practice, not EBP.
2. In the PICO framework for formulating clinical questions, what
does the "C" represent?
A. Condition
B. Comparison
C. Clinical setting
D. Cost
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In PICO, C stands for Comparison (or control), which is
the alternative intervention being compared. Option A (Condition)
is not part of PICO; Option C (Clinical setting) is not the standard
meaning; Option D (Cost) may be relevant but is not the primary
meaning of C.
,3. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the evidence
hierarchy for intervention questions?
A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
B. Cohort study
C. Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
D. Case-control study
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs
represent the highest level of evidence (Level I) because they
synthesize multiple high-quality studies. Option A is Level II; Option
B is Level III; Option D is also Level III but lower quality than cohort
studies.
4. A nurse is conducting a literature search for an EBP project. Which
database is most appropriate for finding nursing-specific research?
A. PubMed
B. CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
Literature)
C. PsycINFO
D. Cochrane Library
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: CINAHL is specifically designed for nursing and allied
health literature, making it the most appropriate choice. Option A
covers biomedical literature broadly; Option C focuses on
psychology; Option D specializes in systematic reviews but is not
nurse-specific.
,5. What is the primary purpose of a p-value in statistical analysis?
A. To measure the size of an effect
B. To determine the clinical significance of results
C. To assess the probability that the observed results occurred by
chance
D. To calculate the confidence interval
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A p-value indicates the probability that the observed
results occurred by random chance if the null hypothesis were
true. Option A describes effect size; Option B relates to clinical (not
statistical) significance; Option D is a separate statistical measure.
6. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a randomized
controlled trial (RCT)?
A. Participants are selected based on exposure status
B. Participants are randomly assigned to intervention or control
groups
C. Researchers observe outcomes without intervention
D. Data is collected retrospectively from medical records
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Random assignment to intervention or control groups
is the defining feature of RCTs, minimizing selection bias. Option A
describes cohort studies; Option C describes observational studies;
Option D describes retrospective studies.
, 7. When appraising qualitative research for EBP, which criterion is
most important to assess?
A. Statistical power
B. Transferability and credibility of findings
C. Randomization procedures
D. Blinding of outcome assessors
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Qualitative research is evaluated using criteria like
transferability (applicability to other contexts) and credibility
(trustworthiness), not statistical measures. Option A, C, and D are
quantitative research criteria.
8. What does a confidence interval of 95% indicate in research
results?
A. There is a 95% chance the results are correct
B. We are 95% confident that the true population parameter falls
within the interval
C. 95% of the sample data falls within this range
D. The p-value is less than 0.05
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A 95% confidence interval means we are 95%
confident the true population parameter lies within that range.
Option A misinterprets probability; Option C describes sample
distribution; Option D confuses CI with p-value.
9. Which barrier to EBP implementation is most commonly cited by
nurses?
1. Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice
(EBP) in nursing?
A. Using only the latest research findings to guide clinical decisions
B. Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
C. Following established hospital protocols without deviation
D. Relying primarily on expert opinion and traditional practices
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: EBP is defined as the integration of best research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences.
Option A is incorrect because EBP requires more than just
research; Option C ignores individual patient needs; Option D
represents traditional practice, not EBP.
2. In the PICO framework for formulating clinical questions, what
does the "C" represent?
A. Condition
B. Comparison
C. Clinical setting
D. Cost
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In PICO, C stands for Comparison (or control), which is
the alternative intervention being compared. Option A (Condition)
is not part of PICO; Option C (Clinical setting) is not the standard
meaning; Option D (Cost) may be relevant but is not the primary
meaning of C.
,3. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the evidence
hierarchy for intervention questions?
A. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
B. Cohort study
C. Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
D. Case-control study
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs
represent the highest level of evidence (Level I) because they
synthesize multiple high-quality studies. Option A is Level II; Option
B is Level III; Option D is also Level III but lower quality than cohort
studies.
4. A nurse is conducting a literature search for an EBP project. Which
database is most appropriate for finding nursing-specific research?
A. PubMed
B. CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
Literature)
C. PsycINFO
D. Cochrane Library
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: CINAHL is specifically designed for nursing and allied
health literature, making it the most appropriate choice. Option A
covers biomedical literature broadly; Option C focuses on
psychology; Option D specializes in systematic reviews but is not
nurse-specific.
,5. What is the primary purpose of a p-value in statistical analysis?
A. To measure the size of an effect
B. To determine the clinical significance of results
C. To assess the probability that the observed results occurred by
chance
D. To calculate the confidence interval
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A p-value indicates the probability that the observed
results occurred by random chance if the null hypothesis were
true. Option A describes effect size; Option B relates to clinical (not
statistical) significance; Option D is a separate statistical measure.
6. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a randomized
controlled trial (RCT)?
A. Participants are selected based on exposure status
B. Participants are randomly assigned to intervention or control
groups
C. Researchers observe outcomes without intervention
D. Data is collected retrospectively from medical records
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Random assignment to intervention or control groups
is the defining feature of RCTs, minimizing selection bias. Option A
describes cohort studies; Option C describes observational studies;
Option D describes retrospective studies.
, 7. When appraising qualitative research for EBP, which criterion is
most important to assess?
A. Statistical power
B. Transferability and credibility of findings
C. Randomization procedures
D. Blinding of outcome assessors
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Qualitative research is evaluated using criteria like
transferability (applicability to other contexts) and credibility
(trustworthiness), not statistical measures. Option A, C, and D are
quantitative research criteria.
8. What does a confidence interval of 95% indicate in research
results?
A. There is a 95% chance the results are correct
B. We are 95% confident that the true population parameter falls
within the interval
C. 95% of the sample data falls within this range
D. The p-value is less than 0.05
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A 95% confidence interval means we are 95%
confident the true population parameter lies within that range.
Option A misinterprets probability; Option C describes sample
distribution; Option D confuses CI with p-value.
9. Which barrier to EBP implementation is most commonly cited by
nurses?
