Evidence-Based Practice - 2026 Nursing Primer: Exam 3 -
Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is best defined as:
A. Doing what has always been done on the unit
B. Following physician orders without question
C. A problem-solving approach that integrates the best available evidence with clinical expertise
and patient preferences and values
D. Conducting original research on every question
Correct Answer: C. A problem-solving approach that integrates the best available evidence
with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values
Rationale: EBP combines three sources to guide decisions. Tradition and unquestioned orders
do not count as evidence, and EBP uses existing research rather than generating new data each
time.
2. David Sackett's widely cited 1996 definition of evidence-based medicine describes it as:
A. The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions
about the care of individual patients
B. Cookbook medicine that ignores patients
C. Research conducted only in laboratories
D. A method for reducing staff
Correct Answer: A. The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in
making decisions about the care of individual patients
Rationale: Sackett stressed integrating evidence with expertise. He explicitly rejected the
cookbook criticism.
,3. Problem-focused triggers for EBP include:
A. New research only
B. Clinical problems, risk data, benchmarking data and quality concerns
C. Personal preferences
D. Vacation schedules
Correct Answer: B. Clinical problems, risk data, benchmarking data and quality concerns
Rationale: Knowledge-focused triggers include new research and guidelines. Both start EBP
projects.
4. Point-of-care resources such as evidence summaries help nurses by:
A. Replacing judgment
B. Providing only opinions
C. Eliminating the need for policies
D. Providing quick access to synthesized evidence during clinical work
Correct Answer: D. Providing quick access to synthesized evidence during clinical work
Rationale: Busy clinicians need efficient access. Summaries should be current and transparent.
5. Magnet recognition requires hospitals to demonstrate:
A. Lowest costs only
B. No research
C. Physician-led governance only
D. New knowledge, innovations and improvements, including EBP and research
Correct Answer: D. New knowledge, innovations and improvements, including EBP and
research
Rationale: Magnet's components include structural empowerment and exemplary professional
practice. EBP is central.
,6. Clinical decision-making without evidence can lead to:
A. Better outcomes
B. Lower costs
C. Unwarranted variation in care and preventable harm
D. Standardized care
Correct Answer: C. Unwarranted variation in care and preventable harm
Rationale: Variation not explained by patient need is a quality problem. Evidence reduces it.
7. A common barrier to EBP reported by nurses is:
A. Too many mentors
B. Excess funding
C. Too much autonomy
D. Lack of time and limited access to resources
Correct Answer: D. Lack of time and limited access to resources
Rationale: Organizational support addresses these barriers. Mentors and protected time help.
8. The difference between evidence-informed and evidence-based practice is mainly that
evidence-informed practice:
A. Ignores evidence
B. Uses only expert opinion
C. Uses only qualitative studies
D. Emphasizes that evidence is one input among contextual factors, rather than a rigid rule
Correct Answer: D. Emphasizes that evidence is one input among contextual factors, rather
than a rigid rule
Rationale: Both integrate evidence with context. The term evidence-informed highlights
judgment.
, 9. Asking "What is the risk of pressure injury in ICU patients on vasopressors?" is an example of
a:
A. Meaning question
B. Prognosis or etiology question about risk
C. Diagnostic question
D. Background question about definitions
Correct Answer: B. Prognosis or etiology question about risk
Rationale: It asks about the relationship between an exposure and outcome. Cohort studies
help answer it.
10. In PICOT, the letter T stands for:
A. Time frame for the intervention to achieve the outcome or for observation
B. Treatment
C. Theory
D. Test
Correct Answer: A. Time frame for the intervention to achieve the outcome or for observation
Rationale: Time is optional but useful. It helps define relevant studies.
11. Formulating a clinical question collaboratively with the team helps:
A. Slow the project
B. Ensure the question addresses a real problem and builds ownership
C. Exclude stakeholders
D. Reduce relevance
Correct Answer: B. Ensure the question addresses a real problem and builds ownership
Rationale: Team involvement improves buy-in. Stakeholders identify important outcomes.
Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is best defined as:
A. Doing what has always been done on the unit
B. Following physician orders without question
C. A problem-solving approach that integrates the best available evidence with clinical expertise
and patient preferences and values
D. Conducting original research on every question
Correct Answer: C. A problem-solving approach that integrates the best available evidence
with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values
Rationale: EBP combines three sources to guide decisions. Tradition and unquestioned orders
do not count as evidence, and EBP uses existing research rather than generating new data each
time.
2. David Sackett's widely cited 1996 definition of evidence-based medicine describes it as:
A. The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions
about the care of individual patients
B. Cookbook medicine that ignores patients
C. Research conducted only in laboratories
D. A method for reducing staff
Correct Answer: A. The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in
making decisions about the care of individual patients
Rationale: Sackett stressed integrating evidence with expertise. He explicitly rejected the
cookbook criticism.
,3. Problem-focused triggers for EBP include:
A. New research only
B. Clinical problems, risk data, benchmarking data and quality concerns
C. Personal preferences
D. Vacation schedules
Correct Answer: B. Clinical problems, risk data, benchmarking data and quality concerns
Rationale: Knowledge-focused triggers include new research and guidelines. Both start EBP
projects.
4. Point-of-care resources such as evidence summaries help nurses by:
A. Replacing judgment
B. Providing only opinions
C. Eliminating the need for policies
D. Providing quick access to synthesized evidence during clinical work
Correct Answer: D. Providing quick access to synthesized evidence during clinical work
Rationale: Busy clinicians need efficient access. Summaries should be current and transparent.
5. Magnet recognition requires hospitals to demonstrate:
A. Lowest costs only
B. No research
C. Physician-led governance only
D. New knowledge, innovations and improvements, including EBP and research
Correct Answer: D. New knowledge, innovations and improvements, including EBP and
research
Rationale: Magnet's components include structural empowerment and exemplary professional
practice. EBP is central.
,6. Clinical decision-making without evidence can lead to:
A. Better outcomes
B. Lower costs
C. Unwarranted variation in care and preventable harm
D. Standardized care
Correct Answer: C. Unwarranted variation in care and preventable harm
Rationale: Variation not explained by patient need is a quality problem. Evidence reduces it.
7. A common barrier to EBP reported by nurses is:
A. Too many mentors
B. Excess funding
C. Too much autonomy
D. Lack of time and limited access to resources
Correct Answer: D. Lack of time and limited access to resources
Rationale: Organizational support addresses these barriers. Mentors and protected time help.
8. The difference between evidence-informed and evidence-based practice is mainly that
evidence-informed practice:
A. Ignores evidence
B. Uses only expert opinion
C. Uses only qualitative studies
D. Emphasizes that evidence is one input among contextual factors, rather than a rigid rule
Correct Answer: D. Emphasizes that evidence is one input among contextual factors, rather
than a rigid rule
Rationale: Both integrate evidence with context. The term evidence-informed highlights
judgment.
, 9. Asking "What is the risk of pressure injury in ICU patients on vasopressors?" is an example of
a:
A. Meaning question
B. Prognosis or etiology question about risk
C. Diagnostic question
D. Background question about definitions
Correct Answer: B. Prognosis or etiology question about risk
Rationale: It asks about the relationship between an exposure and outcome. Cohort studies
help answer it.
10. In PICOT, the letter T stands for:
A. Time frame for the intervention to achieve the outcome or for observation
B. Treatment
C. Theory
D. Test
Correct Answer: A. Time frame for the intervention to achieve the outcome or for observation
Rationale: Time is optional but useful. It helps define relevant studies.
11. Formulating a clinical question collaboratively with the team helps:
A. Slow the project
B. Ensure the question addresses a real problem and builds ownership
C. Exclude stakeholders
D. Reduce relevance
Correct Answer: B. Ensure the question addresses a real problem and builds ownership
Rationale: Team involvement improves buy-in. Stakeholders identify important outcomes.
