APUS NURS340 Midterm Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Science of
Evidence-Based Practice Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice (EBP) in
nursing?
A) Relying solely on clinical experience to make patient care decisions
B) Using the latest research findings without considering patient preferences
C) Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise
and patient values and preferences
D) Following hospital policies and procedures without question
Correct Answer: Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient values and preferences
Rationale: EBP is a problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making that
integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient values and preferences. It is not just about using research or
experience alone.
2. The modern evidence-based practice movement in healthcare is widely
considered to have originated with the work of which group?
A) Florence Nightingale and her statistical analyses during the Crimean War
B) The Cochrane Collaboration and the work of Archie Cochrane
C) The American Nurses Association (ANA)
D) The Institute of Medicine (IOM)
Correct Answer: The Cochrane Collaboration and the work of Archie Cochrane
Rationale: Archie Cochrane, a British epidemiologist, was a strong advocate
for using evidence from randomized controlled trials to inform healthcare
decisions. His work directly inspired the establishment of the Cochrane
Collaboration, which is a key organization in the EBP movement.
3. A nurse is using a problem-solving approach that incorporates the best
available evidence, patient preferences, and clinical expertise. This approach
is known as:
,A) The nursing process
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Clinical reasoning
D) The scientific method
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to
clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence
with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences.
4. Which of the following is NOT a core component of evidence-based
practice?
A) Best available research evidence
B) Clinical expertise
C) Patient preferences and values
D) Hospital administrative policies
Correct Answer: Hospital administrative policies
Rationale: The three core components of EBP are best available research
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences and values. Hospital
administrative policies, while important, are not a core component of the EBP
process itself.
5. The primary goal of evidence-based practice is to:
A) Reduce healthcare costs
B) Improve patient outcomes and quality of care
C) Increase the use of technology in healthcare
D) Standardize all nursing interventions
Correct Answer: Improve patient outcomes and quality of care
,Rationale: The ultimate goal of EBP is to improve patient outcomes and the
quality of care by ensuring that clinical decisions are informed by the best
available evidence.
6. A nurse is reading a research article and evaluating its relevance to a
clinical question. This activity is part of which step in the EBP process?
A) Asking a clinical question
B) Acquiring the best evidence
C) Appraising the evidence
D) Applying the evidence
Correct Answer: Appraising the evidence
Rationale: The EBP process includes the following steps: Ask, Acquire,
Appraise, Apply, and Assess. Appraising the evidence involves critically
evaluating the research for its validity, relevance, and applicability to the
clinical question.
7. According to the course description for NURS 340, which of the following is
a key focus of the course?
A) Mastering advanced clinical skills
B) Understanding the concept of evidence-based practice and the practical
application of research skills
C) Learning about healthcare finance and budgeting
D) Developing leadership and management skills
Correct Answer: Understanding the concept of evidence-based practice and
the practical application of research skills
Rationale: The course description states that NURS 340 focuses on
understanding the concept of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and the
practical application of research skills related to the role of the
baccalaureate-prepared nurse.
, 8. The history of the evidence-based practice movement includes the
recognition that:
A) All clinical practices are based on strong scientific evidence
B) Many clinical practices were based on tradition or authority rather than
evidence
C) Research evidence is always more important than clinical expertise
D) Patient preferences are not relevant to clinical decision-making
Correct Answer: Many clinical practices were based on tradition or authority
rather than evidence
Rationale: The EBP movement arose from the recognition that many clinical
practices were not based on strong scientific evidence but rather on
tradition, authority, or anecdotal experience.
9. Which of the following is a key challenge to implementing evidence-based
practice in the practice setting?
A) An abundance of high-quality research evidence
B) Lack of time and resources to find and appraise evidence
C) Strong support from all healthcare providers
D) Easy access to electronic databases and full-text articles
Correct Answer: Lack of time and resources to find and appraise evidence
Rationale: The course description notes that the course reviews "the
challenges to implementation in the practice setting". Common challenges
include lack of time, limited access to resources, and resistance to change.
10. A nurse is using a "hierarchical" approach to evaluate evidence. Which of
the following represents the highest level of evidence according to most
evidence hierarchies?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case reports
Evidence-Based Practice Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice (EBP) in
nursing?
A) Relying solely on clinical experience to make patient care decisions
B) Using the latest research findings without considering patient preferences
C) Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise
and patient values and preferences
D) Following hospital policies and procedures without question
Correct Answer: Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient values and preferences
Rationale: EBP is a problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making that
integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient values and preferences. It is not just about using research or
experience alone.
2. The modern evidence-based practice movement in healthcare is widely
considered to have originated with the work of which group?
A) Florence Nightingale and her statistical analyses during the Crimean War
B) The Cochrane Collaboration and the work of Archie Cochrane
C) The American Nurses Association (ANA)
D) The Institute of Medicine (IOM)
Correct Answer: The Cochrane Collaboration and the work of Archie Cochrane
Rationale: Archie Cochrane, a British epidemiologist, was a strong advocate
for using evidence from randomized controlled trials to inform healthcare
decisions. His work directly inspired the establishment of the Cochrane
Collaboration, which is a key organization in the EBP movement.
3. A nurse is using a problem-solving approach that incorporates the best
available evidence, patient preferences, and clinical expertise. This approach
is known as:
,A) The nursing process
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Clinical reasoning
D) The scientific method
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to
clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence
with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences.
4. Which of the following is NOT a core component of evidence-based
practice?
A) Best available research evidence
B) Clinical expertise
C) Patient preferences and values
D) Hospital administrative policies
Correct Answer: Hospital administrative policies
Rationale: The three core components of EBP are best available research
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences and values. Hospital
administrative policies, while important, are not a core component of the EBP
process itself.
5. The primary goal of evidence-based practice is to:
A) Reduce healthcare costs
B) Improve patient outcomes and quality of care
C) Increase the use of technology in healthcare
D) Standardize all nursing interventions
Correct Answer: Improve patient outcomes and quality of care
,Rationale: The ultimate goal of EBP is to improve patient outcomes and the
quality of care by ensuring that clinical decisions are informed by the best
available evidence.
6. A nurse is reading a research article and evaluating its relevance to a
clinical question. This activity is part of which step in the EBP process?
A) Asking a clinical question
B) Acquiring the best evidence
C) Appraising the evidence
D) Applying the evidence
Correct Answer: Appraising the evidence
Rationale: The EBP process includes the following steps: Ask, Acquire,
Appraise, Apply, and Assess. Appraising the evidence involves critically
evaluating the research for its validity, relevance, and applicability to the
clinical question.
7. According to the course description for NURS 340, which of the following is
a key focus of the course?
A) Mastering advanced clinical skills
B) Understanding the concept of evidence-based practice and the practical
application of research skills
C) Learning about healthcare finance and budgeting
D) Developing leadership and management skills
Correct Answer: Understanding the concept of evidence-based practice and
the practical application of research skills
Rationale: The course description states that NURS 340 focuses on
understanding the concept of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and the
practical application of research skills related to the role of the
baccalaureate-prepared nurse.
, 8. The history of the evidence-based practice movement includes the
recognition that:
A) All clinical practices are based on strong scientific evidence
B) Many clinical practices were based on tradition or authority rather than
evidence
C) Research evidence is always more important than clinical expertise
D) Patient preferences are not relevant to clinical decision-making
Correct Answer: Many clinical practices were based on tradition or authority
rather than evidence
Rationale: The EBP movement arose from the recognition that many clinical
practices were not based on strong scientific evidence but rather on
tradition, authority, or anecdotal experience.
9. Which of the following is a key challenge to implementing evidence-based
practice in the practice setting?
A) An abundance of high-quality research evidence
B) Lack of time and resources to find and appraise evidence
C) Strong support from all healthcare providers
D) Easy access to electronic databases and full-text articles
Correct Answer: Lack of time and resources to find and appraise evidence
Rationale: The course description notes that the course reviews "the
challenges to implementation in the practice setting". Common challenges
include lack of time, limited access to resources, and resistance to change.
10. A nurse is using a "hierarchical" approach to evaluate evidence. Which of
the following represents the highest level of evidence according to most
evidence hierarchies?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case reports
