Research & Evidence Based
Nursing
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
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,1. A nurse researcher planning to compare two interventions for pressure
ulcer prevention formulates the question: “In immobile adult ICU
patients (P), does a pressure-relieving mattress (I) versus standard foam
mattress (C) reduce incidence of Stage II ulcers (O) over 14 days (T)?” This
framework corresponds to which element of evidence-based practice?
A. PICOT question formulation
B. Critical appraisal
C. Systematic review
D. Meta-analysis
Correct ANS: A
Rationale: The PICOT format (Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, Time) structures clinical questions for literature searches.
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2. Which study design provides the highest level of evidence for assessing
the efficacy of a new wound-care dressing?
A. Cohort study
B. Randomized controlled trial
C. Case–control study
D. Descriptive qualitative study
Correct ANS: B
Rationale: Randomized controlled trials minimize bias through
randomization and control groups, offering the strongest evidence for
intervention efficacy.
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3. While appraising a published RCT on catheter-associated UTI
prevention, you note that participants and outcome assessors were
blinded. Which validity threat does this most directly address?
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, A. Selection bias
B. Measurement bias
C. Attrition bias
D. Confounding
Correct ANS: B
Rationale: Blinding reduces measurement (detection) bias by
preventing knowledge of group assignment from influencing outcome
assessment.
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4. A systematic review reports a pooled relative risk (RR) of 0.65 (95% CI
0.50–0.85) for fall prevention programs. How do you interpret this
result?
A. Falls increased by 35%
B. Falls reduced by 35%; result statistically significant
C. No difference; confidence interval crosses 1
D. Result not clinically meaningful
Correct ANS: B
Rationale: RR <1 indicates reduction; the 95% CI excludes 1, so the
finding is statistically significant and suggests a 35% risk reduction.
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5. In qualitative evidence synthesis, which method involves iterative
coding and theme development from interview transcripts?
A. Meta-analysis
B. Grounded theory
C. Forest plotting
D. Mantel–Haenszel technique
Correct ANS: B
Rationale: Grounded theory uses open, axial, and selective coding to
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