Evidence-Based Practice &
Nursing Research Examination
2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is reviewing a research study and wants to determine the strength of the evidence. Which
type of study design provides the highest level of evidence for determining causation?
A. Case-control study
B. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
C. Cohort study
,D. Case study
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide the highest level of evidence for
determining causation because they minimize bias through randomization and control. Case-control and
cohort studies provide moderate evidence, while case studies provide the lowest level of evidence. RCTs
are the gold standard for clinical research.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is developing a clinical question using the PICO format. What does the "P" in PICO represent?
A. Population
B. Problem
C. Patient
D. All of the above
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The "P" in PICO stands for Population, Patient, or Problem. The PICO format
(Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) is used to formulate clinical questions for evidence-
based practice. PICO helps structure questions to facilitate literature searches and evidence appraisal.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
,**Question 3**
The nurse is appraising a research article. Which component is essential for evaluating the validity of a
study?
A. The study's sample size
B. The study's statistical analysis
C. The study's research design
D. All of the above
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: All of these components are essential for evaluating the validity of a study. The
sample size, statistical analysis, and research design all impact the study's validity and generalizability.
Validity is crucial for determining the trustworthiness of research findings.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
**Question 4**
The nurse is implementing evidence-based practice on the unit. Which step is the first in the evidence-
based practice process?
A. Implementing the change
B. Evaluating the outcomes
C. Asking a clinical question
, D. Searching for evidence
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is asking a clinical question
(PICO format). This is followed by searching for evidence, appraising the evidence, implementing the
change, and evaluating the outcomes. The process is cyclical and continuous.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C. Asking a clinical question
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is reviewing a systematic review. Which statement is correct regarding systematic reviews?
A. Systematic reviews summarize evidence from multiple studies
B. Systematic reviews are the same as literature reviews
C. Systematic reviews are not useful for clinical practice
D. Systematic reviews include only qualitative research
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Systematic reviews summarize evidence from multiple studies using a rigorous,
reproducible methodology. They are not the same as literature reviews, which may be less systematic.
Systematic reviews are highly useful for clinical practice and may include both quantitative and
qualitative research.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Systematic reviews summarize evidence from multiple studies
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Nursing Research Examination
2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is reviewing a research study and wants to determine the strength of the evidence. Which
type of study design provides the highest level of evidence for determining causation?
A. Case-control study
B. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
C. Cohort study
,D. Case study
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide the highest level of evidence for
determining causation because they minimize bias through randomization and control. Case-control and
cohort studies provide moderate evidence, while case studies provide the lowest level of evidence. RCTs
are the gold standard for clinical research.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is developing a clinical question using the PICO format. What does the "P" in PICO represent?
A. Population
B. Problem
C. Patient
D. All of the above
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The "P" in PICO stands for Population, Patient, or Problem. The PICO format
(Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) is used to formulate clinical questions for evidence-
based practice. PICO helps structure questions to facilitate literature searches and evidence appraisal.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
,**Question 3**
The nurse is appraising a research article. Which component is essential for evaluating the validity of a
study?
A. The study's sample size
B. The study's statistical analysis
C. The study's research design
D. All of the above
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: All of these components are essential for evaluating the validity of a study. The
sample size, statistical analysis, and research design all impact the study's validity and generalizability.
Validity is crucial for determining the trustworthiness of research findings.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
**Question 4**
The nurse is implementing evidence-based practice on the unit. Which step is the first in the evidence-
based practice process?
A. Implementing the change
B. Evaluating the outcomes
C. Asking a clinical question
, D. Searching for evidence
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The first step in the evidence-based practice process is asking a clinical question
(PICO format). This is followed by searching for evidence, appraising the evidence, implementing the
change, and evaluating the outcomes. The process is cyclical and continuous.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C. Asking a clinical question
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is reviewing a systematic review. Which statement is correct regarding systematic reviews?
A. Systematic reviews summarize evidence from multiple studies
B. Systematic reviews are the same as literature reviews
C. Systematic reviews are not useful for clinical practice
D. Systematic reviews include only qualitative research
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Systematic reviews summarize evidence from multiple studies using a rigorous,
reproducible methodology. They are not the same as literature reviews, which may be less systematic.
Systematic reviews are highly useful for clinical practice and may include both quantitative and
qualitative research.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Systematic reviews summarize evidence from multiple studies
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