Question 1

A nurse is attempting to conduct a search of the literature related to the use of condoms by men who have sex with men. What activity will allow the nurse to conduct the most efficient search?

Accepted Answer

Accessing a health sciences librarian will provide the nurse with expert guidance on conducting an efficient and comprehensive literature search, utilizing appropriate databases and search strategies.

Question 2

Which statement most accurately describes a randomized controlled study design?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled study design is considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness or harms of a certain intervention. Other study designs may be better suited for exploring other types of questions, but randomized controlled trials are the most rigorous when it comes to evaluating cause and effect relationships.

Question 3

A nurse is reading an article by Heater, Becker, and Olson (1988), who conducted a meta-analysis to determine the contribution of research-based nursing practice to client outcomes. What conclusion did the authors reach about clients who received research-based nursing care versus those who received routine nursing care?

Accepted Answer

According to the article by Heater, Becker, and Olson (1988), clients who received research-based nursing care made sizeable gains in behavioural knowledge and physiological and psychosocial outcomes compared to those who received routine nursing care.

Question 4

What is the next step after implementing an evidenced-based practice and policy change related to head lice screening?

Accepted Answer

After implementing an evidence-based practice and policy change related to head lice screening, the next step should be establishing an evaluation period to see if the change is working. This allows for monitoring and assessing whether the change is having the intended effect and making any necessary adjustments. Replicating the original research study within a one-year timeframe or conducting comprehensive chart reviews on every aspect of nursing practice may not be necessary or feasible. Waiting and seeing what the results turn out to be is not an active approach to promoting evidence-based nursing practice.

Question 5

A group of nurses have questions about the effectiveness of assessing post-surgical clients over the telephone versus assessing post-surgical clients at home. What type of research article would be most useful for the nurses to review?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trials are typically conducted to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions or interventions and control groups. In this case, the effectiveness of assessing post-surgical clients over the telephone versus assessing them at home could be compared through a randomized controlled trial. Cohort studies are typically used to follow a group of individuals over an extended period to look for trends and associations between variables, so it is not the best choice. Qualitative ethnography and participatory action research are both qualitative research methods, which may not provide the level of statistical data the nurses are looking for in this case.

Question 6

What is the Cochrane Library?

Accepted Answer

The Cochrane Library is an international collaboration that provides access to a collection of reports and protocols from systematic reviews, as well as summaries of reviews and abstracts of randomized controlled trials. It is considered a high-quality resource for evidence-based practice. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the content or scope of the Cochrane Library.

Question 7

A nurse is reviewing a qualitative study on homelessness and dental health. Which question about validity is appropriate in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Validity concerns whether the study measures what it claims to be measuring and whether the results are accurate and reliable. In this scenario, questioning the clarity and substantiation of the research question is appropriate for assessing the study's validity. The other options are more relevant to assessing the quality of the research design (A, D) or the methodology used to assign participants to groups (C), but do not directly address the issue of validity.

Question 8

What is the time lag between when technical information is generated and the time it is used in actual practice?

Accepted Answer

The time lag between when technical information is generated and when it is used in actual practice is often cited as being between 8 to 17 years. This range accounts for the time needed for research findings to be published, disseminated, understood, and finally implemented in practical settings.

Question 9

A nurse reads in a journal article, "Participants were randomized into an intervention group. The intervention group was to receive an epidural in labour. All the birth outcomes of the intervention group were analyzed in that group, regardless of whether the participants received an epidural or not." What concept is illustrated in this statement?

Accepted Answer

This statement illustrates the concept of intention-to-treat analysis, where participants are analyzed according to the group they were originally randomized to, regardless of whether or not they actually received the intervention. This helps to minimize bias and provides a more accurate representation of the effects of the intervention on the entire study population.

Question 10

Which is the best description of evidence-informed nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Evidence-informed nursing practice involves the conscientious and judicious use of the best available evidence in making decisions about patient care, ensuring that clinical decisions are based on the most current and relevant research.

Question 11

Angela and Kerry are nurses working in partnership with a university research unit on a community project focusing on women experiencing homelessness. They are using action-oriented research. What type of research are they most likely to be engaging in?

Accepted Answer

The description provided indicates the use of participatory action research, as Angela and Kerry are working in partnership with a university research unit and a community to address a specific social issue. Grounded theory and phenomenology are types of qualitative research methods that may be used in this type of research, but the overall approach is participatory action. Randomized clinical trials would be more applicable in a medical or pharmaceutical context, and not in studying social issues.

Question 12

A nurse reads in a study on a diabetes prevention program that the odds ratio was <1. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

An odds ratio less than 1 indicates that the intervention group had a lower risk or likelihood of developing diabetes compared to the control group. Therefore, the prevention program was beneficial in reducing the risk of diabetes.

Question 13

Nurses need to ask critical questions to evaluate interventions and consider alternative options. To find relevant research, practice questions need to be structured and include which of the following components? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

To find relevant research, practice questions need to be structured and include all four components: population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes. These components are commonly referred to as PICO elements.

Question 14

A student nurse has been asked to write a clinical question that includes the elements of a structured question. Which one of the following questions meets these criteria?

Accepted Answer

This question includes the elements of a structured question: population (new mothers), intervention (e-health technology), and outcome (achieving a healthy weight in the postpartum period).

Question 15

A nurse wants to do qualitative research to describe the culture of youth who live away from their parents. What research methodology should the nurse choose?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography would be the best methodology for the nurse to use as it involves a researcher immersing themselves in the culture being studied and using observations and interviews to describe and interpret the culture. Grounded theory and phenomenology are more individualistic approaches that focus on constructing theories or understanding an individual's unique experience. A prospective cohort study is a quantitative approach that follows a group of individuals over time to observe outcomes, which is not appropriate for the nurse's research question.

Question 16

What is relative risk?

Accepted Answer

Relative risk is the ratio of the probability of an outcome in an intervention group compared to the probability of the same outcome in a control group. It is calculated by dividing the proportion of participants with the outcome in the intervention group by the proportion in the control group.

Question 17

What is most likely to be included in a meta-analysis?

Accepted Answer

A meta-analysis typically involves a quantitative combination of results from several studies to provide a more reliable estimate of the effects of a particular intervention or treatment. This involves statistical analysis of data from the studies, rather than simply summarizing or describing them. A narrative review (A) may also summarize several articles, but may not necessarily use pre-set criteria or involve statistical analysis. B and D can also be included in a meta-analysis, but are not the primary focus.

Question 18

What type of health research are community health nurses most likely to be involved in?

Accepted Answer

Community health nurses are often involved in program evaluation using process outcomes to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of health programs and interventions in the community.

Question 19

What is the best course of action for nurses to follow when there is no research evidence to support practice?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing expert opinion as the standard for decision-making is often considered the best course of action when there is no research evidence to support practice. This approach leverages the knowledge and experience of experts in the field to guide decisions and ensure patient safety and care quality.

Question 20

What can be included in a systematic review of community health nursing research studies?

Accepted Answer

A systematic review of community health nursing research studies can include both randomized and non-randomized cohort studies. It should not be limited to only randomized trials as this may exclude important evidence in the field. A statistical synthesis may be included, but it should not be the only focus of the review. Finally, studies that use the biomedical model should not be preferred over other models, as community health nursing encompasses a wide range of frameworks and approaches.

Quiz 10: Research