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NURS 231 Pathophysiology Exam 2 2026/2027
Questions | Verified Answers | Detailed Rationales |
Grade A | Portage Learning
1. What is evidence-based practice (EBP)?
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice is a problem-solving approach to
clinical practice that combines the best evidence with a clinician's expertise,
patient preferences and values, and health care resources in making decisions
about patient care.
Rationale:
1. EBP integrates research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values.
2. This is a standard nursing practice definition question.
2. What are the steps of evidence-based practice?
Correct Answer: 0. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry; 1. Ask a clinical question in
PICOT format; 2. Search for the most relevant evidence; 3. Critically appraise
the evidence you gather; 4. Integrate the evidence; 5. Evaluate the outcomes of
practice decisions or changes; 6. Communicate the outcomes with others.
Rationale:
1. These steps provide a systematic approach to EBP.
2. This is a standard nursing research question.
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3. What does PICOT stand for?
Correct Answer: P = patient population of interest; I = intervention of
interest; C = comparison of interest; O = outcome; T = time.
Rationale:
1. PICOT is a framework for clinical questions.
2. This is a standard nursing research question.
4. What is the scientific method?
Correct Answer: 1. Make an observation; 2. Ask questions and gather
information; 3. Analyze the literature and form a research question or
hypothesis; 4. Conduct a study using scientific rigor; 5. Analyze the data and
draw conclusions.
Rationale:
1. The scientific method is the foundation of research.
2. This is a standard research methodology question.
5. What is performance improvement (PI)?
Correct Answer: A formal approach for the analysis of health care-related
processes. Reviews how existing interventions within a process function.
Rationale:
1. PI is a quality improvement methodology.
2. This is a standard nursing leadership question.
6. What is critical thinking?
Correct Answer: The ability to think in a systematic and logical manner with
openness to question and reflect on the reasoning process.
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Rationale:
1. Critical thinking is essential for safe nursing practice.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
7. What is the aim of critical thinking?
Correct Answer: The ability to focus on the important issues in any clinical
situation and make decisions that produce desired patient outcomes.
Rationale:
1. Critical thinking improves patient outcomes.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
8. What are the critical thinking competencies?
Correct Answer: General critical thinking and specific critical thinking.
Rationale:
1. Competencies include both general and specific skills.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
9. What is general critical thinking?
Correct Answer: Scientific method, problem solving, and decision making.
Rationale:
1. General critical thinking applies across situations.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
10. What is specific critical thinking?
Correct Answer: Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making.
NURS 231 Pathophysiology Exam 2 2026/2027
Questions | Verified Answers | Detailed Rationales |
Grade A | Portage Learning
1. What is evidence-based practice (EBP)?
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice is a problem-solving approach to
clinical practice that combines the best evidence with a clinician's expertise,
patient preferences and values, and health care resources in making decisions
about patient care.
Rationale:
1. EBP integrates research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values.
2. This is a standard nursing practice definition question.
2. What are the steps of evidence-based practice?
Correct Answer: 0. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry; 1. Ask a clinical question in
PICOT format; 2. Search for the most relevant evidence; 3. Critically appraise
the evidence you gather; 4. Integrate the evidence; 5. Evaluate the outcomes of
practice decisions or changes; 6. Communicate the outcomes with others.
Rationale:
1. These steps provide a systematic approach to EBP.
2. This is a standard nursing research question.
,2|Page
3. What does PICOT stand for?
Correct Answer: P = patient population of interest; I = intervention of
interest; C = comparison of interest; O = outcome; T = time.
Rationale:
1. PICOT is a framework for clinical questions.
2. This is a standard nursing research question.
4. What is the scientific method?
Correct Answer: 1. Make an observation; 2. Ask questions and gather
information; 3. Analyze the literature and form a research question or
hypothesis; 4. Conduct a study using scientific rigor; 5. Analyze the data and
draw conclusions.
Rationale:
1. The scientific method is the foundation of research.
2. This is a standard research methodology question.
5. What is performance improvement (PI)?
Correct Answer: A formal approach for the analysis of health care-related
processes. Reviews how existing interventions within a process function.
Rationale:
1. PI is a quality improvement methodology.
2. This is a standard nursing leadership question.
6. What is critical thinking?
Correct Answer: The ability to think in a systematic and logical manner with
openness to question and reflect on the reasoning process.
, 3|Page
Rationale:
1. Critical thinking is essential for safe nursing practice.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
7. What is the aim of critical thinking?
Correct Answer: The ability to focus on the important issues in any clinical
situation and make decisions that produce desired patient outcomes.
Rationale:
1. Critical thinking improves patient outcomes.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
8. What are the critical thinking competencies?
Correct Answer: General critical thinking and specific critical thinking.
Rationale:
1. Competencies include both general and specific skills.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
9. What is general critical thinking?
Correct Answer: Scientific method, problem solving, and decision making.
Rationale:
1. General critical thinking applies across situations.
2. This is a standard nursing education question.
10. What is specific critical thinking?
Correct Answer: Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making.
