NUR 3405 ACTUAL EXAM – COMPLETE
150 Questions and Correct Answers | 2025
Latest Update Advanced Adult Health Nursing /
Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
QUESTIONS 1–150 (FULL SET)
Question 1
In the process of conducting a literature review, the nurse researcher is using studies written by
the researchers who conducted the studies. This type of information is known as:
A) Secondary source
B) Primary source
C) Tertiary source
D) Systematic review
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A primary source is written by the researchers who conducted the study. Secondary
sources summarize or interpret primary sources.
Question 2
,When beginning a literature search for relevant evidence, the researcher selects databases to
review. Which database is most likely to include nursing studies?
A) MEDLINE
B) Google Scholar
C) PubMed
D) CINAHL
Correct answer: D
Rationale: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) is the most
comprehensive database specifically focused on nursing and allied health literature.
Question 3
A nurse is completing a literature review. The nurse has several ideas for a focus but has not
nailed down a specific topic to examine. Which step would be most helpful to follow at this stage
of the process?
A) Screen and read articles
B) Retrieve and print source materials
C) Formulate a clear research question
D) Review abstracts for articles
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Formulating a clear research question is the essential first step in a literature review.
It provides direction and focus before searching for and screening articles.
Question 4
A nurse is trying to produce the best search results possible using keyword searches. What are
appropriate tips to provide in order to achieve this goal? (Select all that apply)
A) Create an abstract
B) Create a presentation to summarize results
C) Evaluate and analyze studies
D) Use Boolean logic (e.g., AND/OR operators)
E) Use wildcard characters
,Correct answers: D, E
Rationale: Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and wildcard characters (e.g., or ?) are effective
search techniques that refine and expand search results.
Question 5
A nurse is looking across all of the studies reviewed to date and asks questions such as, "What
is the pattern of evidence?" "How much evidence is there?" and "How consistent is the
evidence?" The nurse is in what stage of the literature review process?
A) Evaluate and analyze the studies
B) Read and screen sources
C) Formulate and refine primary and secondary questions
D) Devise a search strategy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The evaluation and analysis stage involves synthesizing findings across studies,
identifying patterns, assessing consistency, and determining the strength of the evidence.
Question 6
When conducting a research literature search, which activity is the most reliable way to identify
new scholarly references?
A) Change topics and use new key search terms
B) Review materials in commercial websites
C) Search novel internet websites for up-to-date information
D) Note relevant citations in the articles being reviewed
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Noting relevant citations in articles being reviewed (also called "reference mining" or
"snowballing") is a highly reliable method for identifying additional scholarly sources.
Question 7
, The primary purpose of the research literature review is to: (Select all that apply)
A) Suggest appropriate research methods
B) Construct a conceptual framework
C) Assist in developing the research question
D) Replace the need for data collection
Correct answers: A, B, C
Rationale: A literature review helps develop research questions, inform methodology, and build
conceptual frameworks. It does not replace data collection.
Question 8
A researcher begins the searching process by entering key terms. The search yields over 180
potential articles. Which action in the screening process would be the most appropriate next
step in identifying useful articles?
A) Identify MeSH terms to make keywords more specific
B) Read the abstract of each article to narrow the number
C) Review some of the studies for alternate keywords
D) Leave out keywords in the next search phase
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms helps refine searches by mapping
keywords to standardized vocabulary, making results more specific and relevant.
Question 9
A researcher has narrowed a search of electronic databases to 15 potential references. Which
action would be the most appropriate next step in identifying useful articles?
A) Comparing databases for duplicate-referenced reports
B) Evaluating search terms
C) Reviewing the abstracts
D) Reading the reports in their entirety
Correct answer: D
150 Questions and Correct Answers | 2025
Latest Update Advanced Adult Health Nursing /
Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
QUESTIONS 1–150 (FULL SET)
Question 1
In the process of conducting a literature review, the nurse researcher is using studies written by
the researchers who conducted the studies. This type of information is known as:
A) Secondary source
B) Primary source
C) Tertiary source
D) Systematic review
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A primary source is written by the researchers who conducted the study. Secondary
sources summarize or interpret primary sources.
Question 2
,When beginning a literature search for relevant evidence, the researcher selects databases to
review. Which database is most likely to include nursing studies?
A) MEDLINE
B) Google Scholar
C) PubMed
D) CINAHL
Correct answer: D
Rationale: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) is the most
comprehensive database specifically focused on nursing and allied health literature.
Question 3
A nurse is completing a literature review. The nurse has several ideas for a focus but has not
nailed down a specific topic to examine. Which step would be most helpful to follow at this stage
of the process?
A) Screen and read articles
B) Retrieve and print source materials
C) Formulate a clear research question
D) Review abstracts for articles
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Formulating a clear research question is the essential first step in a literature review.
It provides direction and focus before searching for and screening articles.
Question 4
A nurse is trying to produce the best search results possible using keyword searches. What are
appropriate tips to provide in order to achieve this goal? (Select all that apply)
A) Create an abstract
B) Create a presentation to summarize results
C) Evaluate and analyze studies
D) Use Boolean logic (e.g., AND/OR operators)
E) Use wildcard characters
,Correct answers: D, E
Rationale: Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and wildcard characters (e.g., or ?) are effective
search techniques that refine and expand search results.
Question 5
A nurse is looking across all of the studies reviewed to date and asks questions such as, "What
is the pattern of evidence?" "How much evidence is there?" and "How consistent is the
evidence?" The nurse is in what stage of the literature review process?
A) Evaluate and analyze the studies
B) Read and screen sources
C) Formulate and refine primary and secondary questions
D) Devise a search strategy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The evaluation and analysis stage involves synthesizing findings across studies,
identifying patterns, assessing consistency, and determining the strength of the evidence.
Question 6
When conducting a research literature search, which activity is the most reliable way to identify
new scholarly references?
A) Change topics and use new key search terms
B) Review materials in commercial websites
C) Search novel internet websites for up-to-date information
D) Note relevant citations in the articles being reviewed
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Noting relevant citations in articles being reviewed (also called "reference mining" or
"snowballing") is a highly reliable method for identifying additional scholarly sources.
Question 7
, The primary purpose of the research literature review is to: (Select all that apply)
A) Suggest appropriate research methods
B) Construct a conceptual framework
C) Assist in developing the research question
D) Replace the need for data collection
Correct answers: A, B, C
Rationale: A literature review helps develop research questions, inform methodology, and build
conceptual frameworks. It does not replace data collection.
Question 8
A researcher begins the searching process by entering key terms. The search yields over 180
potential articles. Which action in the screening process would be the most appropriate next
step in identifying useful articles?
A) Identify MeSH terms to make keywords more specific
B) Read the abstract of each article to narrow the number
C) Review some of the studies for alternate keywords
D) Leave out keywords in the next search phase
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms helps refine searches by mapping
keywords to standardized vocabulary, making results more specific and relevant.
Question 9
A researcher has narrowed a search of electronic databases to 15 potential references. Which
action would be the most appropriate next step in identifying useful articles?
A) Comparing databases for duplicate-referenced reports
B) Evaluating search terms
C) Reviewing the abstracts
D) Reading the reports in their entirety
Correct answer: D
