Clarkson College
Course Number: NRS 352
Course Title: Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare for the RN
to BSN Student
Exam: Final Exam
Date:2026
A nurse is developing a clinical question about reducing catheter-associated infections. Which of
the following best represents a properly structured PICOT question?
A. What causes infections in hospitals?
B. In hospitalized adults, does daily catheter care reduce infection rates compared to no care over
one week?
C. Are infections dangerous?
D. How can nurses improve patient care?
Answer: B
Rationale: PICOT requires Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time for a
focused clinical question.
A researcher conducts a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test a new wound care protocol.
What is the primary strength of this study design?
A. Low cost
B. High level of evidence due to randomization
C. Quick results
1
,D. No ethical concerns
Answer: B
Rationale: RCTs minimize bias and provide strong evidence for causality.
True/False: Systematic reviews provide higher levels of evidence than individual studies.
Answer: True
Rationale: They synthesize multiple studies, increasing reliability.
A nurse critically appraises a study and notes lack of blinding. What bias is most likely introduced?
A. Selection bias
B. Performance bias
C. Recall bias
D. Publication bias
Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of blinding can influence participant or researcher behavior.
Fill in the blank: The process of integrating clinical expertise, patient values, and best research
evidence is called __________.
Answer: Evidence-based practice (EBP)
Rationale: EBP combines research with clinical judgment and patient preferences.
A study finds a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?
A. The null hypothesis is proven
B. The result is statistically significant
C. The study is invalid
D. No relationship exists
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: p < 0.05 indicates statistical significance.
True/False: Qualitative research focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.
Answer: False
Rationale: Qualitative research explores experiences and perceptions.
A nurse is reviewing cohort studies. What characteristic defines this design?
A. Participants are randomly assigned
B. Observational follow-up over time
C. Data collected at one point only
D. No comparison group
Answer: B
Rationale: Cohort studies track groups over time to observe outcomes.
Fill in the blank: The extent to which a study measures what it intends to measure is called
__________.
Answer: Validity
Rationale: Validity ensures accuracy of findings.
A meta-analysis combines data from multiple RCTs. What is the main advantage?
A. Reduces sample size
B. Increases statistical power
C. Eliminates bias completely
D. Avoids ethical concerns
3
, Answer: B
Rationale: Larger combined samples improve reliability.
True/False: Convenience sampling enhances generalizability.
Answer: False
Rationale: It introduces bias and limits external validity.
A nurse reads a study with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. What does this imply?
A. 95% of participants were included
B. The result is always correct
C. The true value likely falls within the interval
D. No variability exists
Answer: C
Rationale: CI estimates precision of results.
Fill in the blank: The difference between experimental and control groups is called the
__________.
Answer: Effect size
Rationale: Effect size quantifies intervention impact.
A study reports high reliability. This means:
A. Results are accurate
B. Results are consistent and reproducible
C. Study is valid
D. No bias exists
4
Course Number: NRS 352
Course Title: Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare for the RN
to BSN Student
Exam: Final Exam
Date:2026
A nurse is developing a clinical question about reducing catheter-associated infections. Which of
the following best represents a properly structured PICOT question?
A. What causes infections in hospitals?
B. In hospitalized adults, does daily catheter care reduce infection rates compared to no care over
one week?
C. Are infections dangerous?
D. How can nurses improve patient care?
Answer: B
Rationale: PICOT requires Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time for a
focused clinical question.
A researcher conducts a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test a new wound care protocol.
What is the primary strength of this study design?
A. Low cost
B. High level of evidence due to randomization
C. Quick results
1
,D. No ethical concerns
Answer: B
Rationale: RCTs minimize bias and provide strong evidence for causality.
True/False: Systematic reviews provide higher levels of evidence than individual studies.
Answer: True
Rationale: They synthesize multiple studies, increasing reliability.
A nurse critically appraises a study and notes lack of blinding. What bias is most likely introduced?
A. Selection bias
B. Performance bias
C. Recall bias
D. Publication bias
Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of blinding can influence participant or researcher behavior.
Fill in the blank: The process of integrating clinical expertise, patient values, and best research
evidence is called __________.
Answer: Evidence-based practice (EBP)
Rationale: EBP combines research with clinical judgment and patient preferences.
A study finds a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?
A. The null hypothesis is proven
B. The result is statistically significant
C. The study is invalid
D. No relationship exists
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: p < 0.05 indicates statistical significance.
True/False: Qualitative research focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.
Answer: False
Rationale: Qualitative research explores experiences and perceptions.
A nurse is reviewing cohort studies. What characteristic defines this design?
A. Participants are randomly assigned
B. Observational follow-up over time
C. Data collected at one point only
D. No comparison group
Answer: B
Rationale: Cohort studies track groups over time to observe outcomes.
Fill in the blank: The extent to which a study measures what it intends to measure is called
__________.
Answer: Validity
Rationale: Validity ensures accuracy of findings.
A meta-analysis combines data from multiple RCTs. What is the main advantage?
A. Reduces sample size
B. Increases statistical power
C. Eliminates bias completely
D. Avoids ethical concerns
3
, Answer: B
Rationale: Larger combined samples improve reliability.
True/False: Convenience sampling enhances generalizability.
Answer: False
Rationale: It introduces bias and limits external validity.
A nurse reads a study with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. What does this imply?
A. 95% of participants were included
B. The result is always correct
C. The true value likely falls within the interval
D. No variability exists
Answer: C
Rationale: CI estimates precision of results.
Fill in the blank: The difference between experimental and control groups is called the
__________.
Answer: Effect size
Rationale: Effect size quantifies intervention impact.
A study reports high reliability. This means:
A. Results are accurate
B. Results are consistent and reproducible
C. Study is valid
D. No bias exists
4
