Question 1

Several sections are included in a research article. For example, the methods section describes the research study and what assessment quality and criteria were used. What information does the abstract or introduction section include?
A) An evidence summary from the results of several other studies
B) An outline of the number of studies retrieved and excluded and respective reasons for their inclusions or exclusions
C) A discussion about whether the results are heterogeneous with possible reasons
D) A clearly stated review question

Accepted Answer

The review question should be clearly stated in the title, the abstract, or final paragraph of the introduction. The summary section provides an evidence summary from the results of several studies. The results section outlines the number of studies retrieved, excluded, and why. The data/analysis section states whether the results are heterogeneous and discusses possible reasons.

Question 2

A nurse manager attempts to explain why the greatest number of medication errors occurs during the evening shift. The nurse manager chooses a quasi-experimental design to study this relationship. Why did the nurse manager choose this type of research design?
A) It does not allow for complete control over the variance.
B) It allows for randomization.
C) It allows for control over the independent variable.
D) It requires manipulation of the variable.

Accepted Answer

In quasi-experimental designs, strict control is not possible. Allowing for randomization and for control over the independent variable and requiring the manipulation of the variable are true of experimental studies.

Question 3

The nurse questions whether treatment with antibiotic therapy is as effective as observation in a 3-year-old boy with otitis media. What combination of information supports the proper order of information needed to compose a PICO statement?
A) Effective treatment for otitis media; antibiotic therapy; observation; 3-year-old with otitis media
B) Three-year-old with otitis media; antibiotic therapy; observation; effective treatment for otitis media
C) Antibiotic therapy; 3-year-old with otitis media; effective treatment for otitis media; observation
D) Observation; 3-year-old with otitis media; effective treatment for otitis media; antibiotic therapy

Accepted Answer

PICO is an acronym used to describe a format of the four elements required to formulate a good clinical question (P, patient or problem; I, intervention; C, comparison intervention; O, outcomes). "Three-year-old with otitis media; antibiotic therapy; observation; effective treatment for otitis media" organizes the elements in the correct order. "Effective treatment for otitis media; antibiotic therapy; observation; 3-year-old with otitis media," "Antibiotic therapy; 3-year-old with otitis media; effective treatment for otitis media; observation," and "Observation; 3-year-old with otitis media; effective treatment for otitis media; antibiotic therapy" have the elements in the incorrect order.

Question 4

If you had access to the following databases for your research, which would you choose to review clinical trials on effective smoking cessation therapies?
A) The Cochrane Library
B) HealthStar
C) Medline
D) InfoPOEMS

Accepted Answer

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews is one of the most popular databases in the Cochrane Library. It evaluates individual clinical trials and condenses systematic reviews from more than 100 medical journals. The database provides an efficient method of interpreting the results of many studies. HealthStar includes published literature from journals, book chapters, and government documents on clinical and nonclinical aspects of health care delivery. Medline is the largest biomedical research literature database (more than 10 million references) for general information. Medline compiles information from Index Medicus, Index to Dental Literature, and International Nursing Index. InfoPOEMs (Patient-Oriented Evidence that Matters) is a clinical awareness system that allows health care practitioners to access the most current, concrete medical information available.

Question 5

Which step does a researcher first use when starting a new study?
A) Data collection
B) Refining an abstract idea
C) Literature review
D) Statistical analysis

Accepted Answer

The first step in the nursing research process is refining an abstract idea by developing an answerable question that is focused on a specific patient-centered concern. Data collection, literature review, and statistical analysis occur later in the research process.

Question 6

What is the relationship between the design and layout when creating a critical appraisal tool?
A) Design and layout differ but measure the same areas.
B) Design and layout differ, and reliability measures differ.
C) Design, layout, and reliability are similar but relevancy differs.
D) Design, layout, and reliability differ but trustworthiness is the same.

Accepted Answer

The nurse remembers the three basic questions that are universal for any type of research study. Critique appraisal tools differ slightly in design and layout, but each tool asks these same questions of the research study: (1) Is it worth looking at the results of this study, and can I trust the results (reliability)? (2) What are the results? (3) Are the results relevant for the patient? "Design and layout differ, and reliability measures differ" and "Design, layout, and reliability are similar but relevancy differs" are incorrect because each critical appraisal tool asks the same questions of the research study. "Design, layout, and reliability differ but trust worthiness is the same" is incorrect because trustworthiness has nothing to do with appraising research studies.

Question 7

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) developed the Magnet Recognition Program for hospitals to address quality patient care. What is the significance of achieving magnet status?
A) Excellence in quality patient care and recruitment and retention of nurses
B) Excellence in research, patient care, and retention of physicians
C) Excellence in recruiting nurses, early discharge, and effective billing
D) Excellence in recruitment and retention of ancillary caregivers

Accepted Answer

Magnet recognition is one of the many responses to the call for quality of care of the ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program. The significance of achieving Magnet status indicates a hospital that succeeded in creating an atmosphere that nurtures evidence-based practice in nursing practice. The nurses are free to exercise professional autonomy. The particular hospital becomes known for its excellence in quality effective and efficient nursing care. Physician retention, early patient discharge, effective billing, and ancillary caregivers are not criteria for Magnet status.

Question 8

A nurse evaluates the results of two different studies examining the relationship between time of day and sundowning in the geriatric setting. After 1 month, the nurse realizes that there is a difference of 1 hour in the instruments used for measurement. What conclusion can be drawn about the type of threat this causes the study?
A) Validity
B) Reliability
C) Causality
D) Truthfulness

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to measuring the instrument by asking how trustworthy it is at gathering the intended data. Validity measures the degree to which an instrument is measuring what it is supposed to measure. Causality and truthfulness are not criteria researchers use to determine whether research instruments give accurate results.

Question 9

Assess the given levels of evidence and choose the one most important when evaluating the strength of a research study.
A) Level 3 evidence indicates that specific-quality criteria were met.
B) Level 1 evidence implies an association with specific criteria.
C) Level 1 evidence indicates that specific-quality criteria were met.
D) Level 2 evidence implies a reliable association with specific criteria.

Accepted Answer

Level 1 evidence represents the most valid reports addressing patient-oriented outcomes. A level 1 ranking also indicates that specific-quality criteria were met based on the study type. Level 3 evidence represents reports that are not based on scientific analysis of patient-oriented outcomes. Level 2 evidence implies an association with specific criteria rather than reliable evidence.

Question 10

The chief purpose of evidence-based practice is to:
A) offer a problem-solving approach to systematically research clinical evidence directed toward a specific patient problem.
B) prepare the nurse to conduct specific research in patient care practices.
C) prepare the nurse for employment in an evidence-based research center.
D) research clinical evidence that covers the entire aspect of a specific problem.

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the integration of the best available evidence, combined with clinical expertise, which enables health practitioners of all varieties to address health care questions with an evaluative and qualitative approach. EBP preparing the nurse to conduct specific research in patient care practices reflects too narrow a scope for research. EBP preparing the nurse for employment in an evidence-based research center has no basis for requiring evidence-based research. EBP to research clinical evidence that covers the entire aspect of a specific problem is incorrect.

Question 11

Characteristics of a quantitative study include all of the following except:
A) clarifies underlying assumptions.
B) asks who, what, why, where, when, or how.
C) describes the relationship between variables.
D) is highly structured and controlled.

Accepted Answer

A quantitative study asks the question who, what, why, where, when, or how and attempts to describe the relationship between one variable and another. A quantitative study plan is also highly structured and controlled. A qualitative study tries to clarify underlying assumptions that are vague or unclear by asking what the perceptions, beliefs, or tenets are within a particular setting.

Question 12

The nurse is interested in whether antibiotic therapy or observation only is most effective in the treatment of sinusitis in young adults. Which of the following best describes the type of question being considered?
A) Background questions
B) Foreground questions
C) General knowledge questions
D) Both a and b

Accepted Answer

Foreground questions have four key components: (1) patient- or problem-centered focus on knowledge about managing patients with a disease, (2) intervention, (3) comparative intervention (an optional step, used only if relevant), and (4) clinical outcome. Ask for specific information about managing patients with a disease. Background questions seek general knowledge about a disease or disease process.

Question 13

Can you explain how the nurse's use of PICO helps to formulate an effective clinical question?
A) PICO organizes the elements that guide the clinical question.
B) PICO formulates an answer to the clinical question.
C) PICO explains the hierarchy of evidence.
D) PICO identifies the strength of the evidence.

Accepted Answer

Using the PICO approach allows for a systematic method of identifying important concepts when formulating the clinical question. Although every component of the PICO model may not be used in every case, PICO is an acronym used to describe a format of the four elements required to formulate a good clinical question (P, patient or problem; I, intervention; C, comparison; O, outcomes). PICO questions do not formulate answers, nor do PICO questions have anything to do with evidence.

Question 14

The process of understanding and applying researched clinical evidence to nursing practice requires the nurse to become information literate. Which action by the nurse best describes the use of information literacy?
A) Identifies a specific clinical problem, accesses appropriate resources, and assesses the relevancy of use of information for that particular patient's problem
B) Identifies a particular patient problem and immediately notifies the physician and family for treatment
C) Identifies the lack of research skills and consults a librarian for a workshop on conducting research studies
D) Identifies the lack of research skills and consults a scientific researcher to teach basic computer information

Accepted Answer

Information literacy is a fundamental skill that the nurse must develop. Information literacy is defined as the ability to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the information. Identifying a particular patient problem and immediately notifying the physician and family for treatment address direct patient care rather than nursing research. Identifying the lack of research skills and consulting a librarian for a workshop on conducting research studies and identifying a lack of research skills and consulting a scientific researcher to teach basic computer information incorrectly focus on the lack of research skills.

Question 15

Nursing practice is guided by Carper's four fundamental patterns of knowing. Which of the four patterns of knowing supports the nurse's use of the evidence-based practice process?
A) Ethics
B) Personal knowing
C) Empirical knowing
D) Aesthetic knowing

Accepted Answer

Carper identified four fundamental patterns of knowing to provide excellent patient care. These four ways of knowing are (1) empirical knowing, (2) ethics, (3) personal knowing, and (4) aesthetic knowing. Empirical knowing is ideal for use in the evidence-based practice process in that it focuses on "methods" of critically appraising and applying available data and research to understand and inform clinical decision-making.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of direct research utilization?
A) Advocating for a change in policy
B) Basing practice on current research available
C) Implementing new techniques for practice
D) Critiquing a research study

Accepted Answer

Direct research utilization describes applying research findings directly to change practice. Advocating a change in policy based on research findings such as when working on a policy and procedure committee is persuasive research utilization. Basing practice on current research available and critiquing a research study are examples of indirect research utilization.

Question 17

The nurse manager wants to determine the cause of an increase in medication errors over the past 6 months. This is an example of which type of research?
A) Experimental
B) Trial and error
C) Quality assurance
D) Scientific

Accepted Answer

Quality assurance research uses data not only to determine whether procedures are being done per protocol, but also to determine whether patient outcomes are being met, and if charting is complete. Experimental research is a type of study design. Trial and error is not proper research methodology. Scientific research is what all evidence-based research demonstrates.

Question 18

Which statement reflects an important principle to be applied by the nurse who is developing a relevant clinical question regarding a specific patient concern?
A) The type of question will determine which resources to access.
B) A systematic approach determines which questions will be asked.
C) The clinical question is formulated at the conclusion of the literature search.
D) Background questions are identified at the conclusion of the literature search.

Accepted Answer

The type of question helps determine the resources to access to answer the question. Developing the clinical question is the most important step in the evidence-based process. The RN must develop a clinical question that encompasses the key components to ensure that the question addresses an answerable concern that can be converted into relevant application. To find that research efficiently, the clinician must ask a well-designed clinical question with all the elements that will lead to finding relevant research literature. A systematic approach that determines which questions will be asked is incorrect. All evidence-based research is a systematic approach. Formulation of the he clinical question at the conclusion of the literature search and identification of the background questions at the conclusion of the literature search are stated in the wrong order of the research process.

Question 19

Which question should the nurse ask in order to judge the validity of a research study?
A) What reliability information has been provided?
B) Are the instrument measures applied consistently?
C) Does the instrument measure what it is supposed to measure?
D) How much random error exists?

Accepted Answer

Validity measures the degree to which an instrument is measuring what it is supposed to measure. Reliability measures whether the device, technique, or instrument accurately collects the intended data. How consistently the measurements are applied and what amount of random error exists have nothing to do with testing validity.

Question 20

The nurse wants to know how similar the 7-minute screen (7MS) is to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in accurately screening for dementia. Can you distinguish the correct clinical question category for this type of question?
A) Prognosis
B) Diagnostic
C) Harm/etiology
D) Prevention

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic questions emphasize how to select a diagnostic test or interpret the results of a particular test. Harm/etiology questions focus on what the harmful effects of a particular treatment are or how harmful effects can be avoided. Prognosis questions focus on the disease process, screening, and risk reduction. Prevention questions are interested in how to modify patient's risk factors to reduce the risk of disease.

Quiz 13: Practicing Evidence-Based Decision Making

Several sections are included in a research article. For example, the methods section describes the research study and what assessment quality and criteria were used. What information does the abstract or introduction section include?

A nurse manager attempts to explain why the greatest number of medication errors occurs during the evening shift. The nurse manager chooses a quasi-experimental design to study this relationship. Why did the nurse manager choose this type of research design?

The nurse questions whether treatment with antibiotic therapy is as effective as observation in a 3-year-old boy with otitis media. What combination of information supports the proper order of information needed to compose a PICO statement?

If you had access to the following databases for your research, which would you choose to review clinical trials on effective smoking cessation therapies?

Which step does a researcher first use when starting a new study?

What is the relationship between the design and layout when creating a critical appraisal tool?

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) developed the Magnet Recognition Program for hospitals to address quality patient care. What is the significance of achieving magnet status?

Assess the given levels of evidence and choose the one most important when evaluating the strength of a research study.

The chief purpose of evidence-based practice is to:

Characteristics of a quantitative study include all of the following except:

The nurse is interested in whether antibiotic therapy or observation only is most effective in the treatment of sinusitis in young adults. Which of the following best describes the type of question being considered?

Can you explain how the nurse's use of PICO helps to formulate an effective clinical question?

The process of understanding and applying researched clinical evidence to nursing practice requires the nurse to become information literate. Which action by the nurse best describes the use of information literacy?

Nursing practice is guided by Carper's four fundamental patterns of knowing. Which of the four patterns of knowing supports the nurse's use of the evidence-based practice process?

Which of the following is an example of direct research utilization?

The nurse manager wants to determine the cause of an increase in medication errors over the past 6 months. This is an example of which type of research?

Which statement reflects an important principle to be applied by the nurse who is developing a relevant clinical question regarding a specific patient concern?

Which question should the nurse ask in order to judge the validity of a research study?

The nurse wants to know how similar the 7-minute screen (7MS) is to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in accurately screening for dementia. Can you distinguish the correct clinical question category for this type of question?