NSG 3850 NURSING RESEARCH AND
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE - EXAM 1
(VERSION B) GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING (U.S.) | COMPLETE VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. In the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following study designs provides the highest
level of evidence for clinical decision-making regarding a therapy?
A. Single Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
B. Systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials
C. Case-control study
D. Expert consensus report
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews of RCTs (and meta-analyses) are considered
Level I evidence because they synthesize data from multiple high-quality studies, reducing
bias compared to single trials.
2. A nurse researcher is examining the effect of a new wound dressing on the healing rate of
pressure ulcers. In this study, what is the independent variable?
A. The healing rate
,B. The type of wound dressing
C. The age of the patient
D. The size of the ulcer
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or factor being
manipulated to see if it causes a change in the outcome.
3. Which component of a PICO question refers to the specific result the researcher hopes to
achieve or measure?
A. Outcome
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Population
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), the
‘O’ stands for the measurable outcome resulting from the intervention.
4. What is the primary goal of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A. To protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
B. To secure funding for the research project
, C. To ensure the statistical significance of the research
D. To publish the research in peer-reviewed journals
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The IRB’s primary mandate is to protect human subjects by
ensuring that ethical standards are met and risks are minimized.
5. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report involves the obligation to ‘do no harm’
and maximize possible benefits?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Respect for persons
D. Autonomy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence is the duty to minimize harm and maximize benefit
for research participants.
6. A researcher is conducting a qualitative study to understand the lived experience of
patients surviving a myocardial infarction. Which research design is most appropriate?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
C. Phenomenology
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE - EXAM 1
(VERSION B) GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING (U.S.) | COMPLETE VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. In the hierarchy of evidence, which of the following study designs provides the highest
level of evidence for clinical decision-making regarding a therapy?
A. Single Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
B. Systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials
C. Case-control study
D. Expert consensus report
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews of RCTs (and meta-analyses) are considered
Level I evidence because they synthesize data from multiple high-quality studies, reducing
bias compared to single trials.
2. A nurse researcher is examining the effect of a new wound dressing on the healing rate of
pressure ulcers. In this study, what is the independent variable?
A. The healing rate
,B. The type of wound dressing
C. The age of the patient
D. The size of the ulcer
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or factor being
manipulated to see if it causes a change in the outcome.
3. Which component of a PICO question refers to the specific result the researcher hopes to
achieve or measure?
A. Outcome
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Population
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), the
‘O’ stands for the measurable outcome resulting from the intervention.
4. What is the primary goal of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A. To protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
B. To secure funding for the research project
, C. To ensure the statistical significance of the research
D. To publish the research in peer-reviewed journals
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The IRB’s primary mandate is to protect human subjects by
ensuring that ethical standards are met and risks are minimized.
5. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report involves the obligation to ‘do no harm’
and maximize possible benefits?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Respect for persons
D. Autonomy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence is the duty to minimize harm and maximize benefit
for research participants.
6. A researcher is conducting a qualitative study to understand the lived experience of
patients surviving a myocardial infarction. Which research design is most appropriate?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
C. Phenomenology
