NURSING RESEARCH 5366 EXAM
2026/2027 Academic Year
75 Multiple-Choice Questions with Correct Answers and Solutions
Section I: Evidence-Based Practice Frameworks & PICOT Question Formulation (Questions 1–
10)
1. Which of the following best describes the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice?
A. It focuses exclusively on qualitative research methodologies
B. It is a systematic approach that guides nurses through the EBP process from knowledge focus to
implementation
C. It is used only in medical research, not nursing
D. It replaces the need for institutional review boards
Correct Answer: B. It is a systematic approach that guides nurses through the EBP process from
knowledge focus to implementation
Rationale: The Iowa Model of EBP provides a systematic framework for nurses to identify clinical questions, search
for evidence, appraise evidence, implement practice changes, and evaluate outcomes. It guides the entire EBP process
from identifying a knowledge-focused trigger or problem-focused trigger through sustained practice change. It is
specifically designed for nursing practice and does not eliminate IRB requirements.
2. In the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model, which phase involves critically appraising
individual research studies and assigning evidence levels?
A. Practice Question
B. Evidence
C. Translation
D. Integration
Correct Answer: B. Evidence
Rationale: The Johns Hopkins EBP model consists of three phases: Practice Question (identifying the clinical question
using PICOT), Evidence (searching for and critically appraising evidence, including individual study ratings and
overall evidence quality), and Translation (implementing and evaluating the practice change). Critical appraisal and
evidence leveling occur during the Evidence phase, where each study is rated for quality and strength.
3. A nurse wants to develop a PICOT question about the effect of hourly rounding on fall rates in hospitalized
older adults. Which component represents the “O” in PICOT?
A. Hourly rounding
B. Fall rates
C. Hospitalized older adults
D. Standard nursing care
Correct Answer: B. Fall rates
1
, Rationale: In the PICOT framework: P = Population/Patient (hospitalized older adults), I = Intervention (hourly
rounding), C = Comparison (standard nursing care), O = Outcome (fall rates), T = Time (not always specified but
can denote the timeframe). The “O” always refers to the measurable outcome the researcher or clinician wants to
achieve or evaluate.
4. Which PICOT question is correctly formatted?
A. In adult patients with hypertension (P), does medication adherence (I) compared to non-adherence
(C) affect blood pressure readings (O)?
B. Does exercise (I) improve health (O)?
C. In nurses (P), does stress (I) affect job satisfaction (C) compared to no stress (O)?
D. What is the best treatment for diabetes (P)?
Correct Answer: A. In adult patients with hypertension (P), does medication adherence (I) compared
to non-adherence (C) affect blood pressure readings (O)?
Rationale: A well-formatted PICOT question includes all clearly defined components: Population (adult patients with
hypertension), Intervention (medication adherence), Comparison (non-adherence), and Outcome (blood pressure
readings). Option B is too vague, Option C incorrectly maps PICOT components, and Option D lacks the structured
PICOT elements entirely.
5. The ARCC (Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration) Model emphasizes
which key component for successful EBP implementation?
A. Individual physician decision-making
B. Mentoring and organizational culture of inquiry
C. Cost reduction strategies
D. Eliminating qualitative research from clinical decisions
Correct Answer: B. Mentoring and organizational culture of inquiry
Rationale: The ARCC Model, developed by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt, emphasizes the critical role of EBP mentors
and an organizational culture that supports evidence-based decision-making. The model proposes that EBP mentors
work directly with clinicians to build competencies and that organizational support is essential for sustained
implementation. It does not focus on cost reduction or exclude qualitative evidence.
6. A nurse identifies that patients on their unit experience high rates of catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTIs). In the Iowa Model, this is classified as:
A. A knowledge-focused trigger
B. A problem-focused trigger
C. An evidence-focused trigger
D. A research-focused trigger
Correct Answer: B. A problem-focused trigger
Rationale: The Iowa Model identifies two types of triggers: knowledge-focused triggers (new research findings, new
guidelines, or philosophical perspectives) and problem-focused triggers (clinical problems identified through quality
improvement data, risk management concerns, or clinical questions from practice). High CAUTI rates identified
through unit data represent a problem-focused trigger because they arise from an identified clinical problem requiring
practice improvement.
2
, 7. When formulating a PICOT question, the “T” component refers to:
A. Treatment type
B. Timeframe for outcome measurement or study duration
C. Type of research design
D. Target population
Correct Answer: B. Timeframe for outcome measurement or study duration
Rationale: In the PICOT framework, the “T” stands for Time—the timeframe within which the outcome is measured
or the duration of the intervention period. Including a time component improves the specificity and clinical
applicability of the question. For example, “within 30 days” or “over 6 months” provides boundaries for the evidence
search and outcome evaluation.
8. Which statement best describes the relationship between research and evidence-based practice?
A. Research and EBP are identical concepts
B. EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
C. EBP relies solely on research findings without clinical judgment
D. Research is only relevant to academic settings, not clinical practice
Correct Answer: B. EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is defined as the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence
with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences (Sackett et al.). Research generates new knowledge, but EBP
goes beyond research by also incorporating clinician expertise and patient preferences. This triad ensures that
practice decisions are both scientifically grounded and patient-centered.
9. A nurse is searching CINAHL for evidence on patient-centered care. Which Boolean operator would broaden
the search to include either term?
A. AND
B. OR
C. NOT
D. WITH
Correct Answer: B. OR
Rationale: The Boolean operator OR broadens a search by retrieving records containing any of the specified terms.
Using “patient-centered care OR patient-focused care” would retrieve articles containing either term. AND narrows
results by requiring all terms, NOT excludes terms, and WITH is not a standard Boolean operator in database
searching. OR is essential for capturing synonyms and related concepts.
10. Which level of evidence in the Johns Hopkins EBP hierarchy is considered the strongest?
A. Expert opinion
B. Individual qualitative study
C. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
D. Single descriptive study
Correct Answer: C. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
3
2026/2027 Academic Year
75 Multiple-Choice Questions with Correct Answers and Solutions
Section I: Evidence-Based Practice Frameworks & PICOT Question Formulation (Questions 1–
10)
1. Which of the following best describes the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice?
A. It focuses exclusively on qualitative research methodologies
B. It is a systematic approach that guides nurses through the EBP process from knowledge focus to
implementation
C. It is used only in medical research, not nursing
D. It replaces the need for institutional review boards
Correct Answer: B. It is a systematic approach that guides nurses through the EBP process from
knowledge focus to implementation
Rationale: The Iowa Model of EBP provides a systematic framework for nurses to identify clinical questions, search
for evidence, appraise evidence, implement practice changes, and evaluate outcomes. It guides the entire EBP process
from identifying a knowledge-focused trigger or problem-focused trigger through sustained practice change. It is
specifically designed for nursing practice and does not eliminate IRB requirements.
2. In the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model, which phase involves critically appraising
individual research studies and assigning evidence levels?
A. Practice Question
B. Evidence
C. Translation
D. Integration
Correct Answer: B. Evidence
Rationale: The Johns Hopkins EBP model consists of three phases: Practice Question (identifying the clinical question
using PICOT), Evidence (searching for and critically appraising evidence, including individual study ratings and
overall evidence quality), and Translation (implementing and evaluating the practice change). Critical appraisal and
evidence leveling occur during the Evidence phase, where each study is rated for quality and strength.
3. A nurse wants to develop a PICOT question about the effect of hourly rounding on fall rates in hospitalized
older adults. Which component represents the “O” in PICOT?
A. Hourly rounding
B. Fall rates
C. Hospitalized older adults
D. Standard nursing care
Correct Answer: B. Fall rates
1
, Rationale: In the PICOT framework: P = Population/Patient (hospitalized older adults), I = Intervention (hourly
rounding), C = Comparison (standard nursing care), O = Outcome (fall rates), T = Time (not always specified but
can denote the timeframe). The “O” always refers to the measurable outcome the researcher or clinician wants to
achieve or evaluate.
4. Which PICOT question is correctly formatted?
A. In adult patients with hypertension (P), does medication adherence (I) compared to non-adherence
(C) affect blood pressure readings (O)?
B. Does exercise (I) improve health (O)?
C. In nurses (P), does stress (I) affect job satisfaction (C) compared to no stress (O)?
D. What is the best treatment for diabetes (P)?
Correct Answer: A. In adult patients with hypertension (P), does medication adherence (I) compared
to non-adherence (C) affect blood pressure readings (O)?
Rationale: A well-formatted PICOT question includes all clearly defined components: Population (adult patients with
hypertension), Intervention (medication adherence), Comparison (non-adherence), and Outcome (blood pressure
readings). Option B is too vague, Option C incorrectly maps PICOT components, and Option D lacks the structured
PICOT elements entirely.
5. The ARCC (Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration) Model emphasizes
which key component for successful EBP implementation?
A. Individual physician decision-making
B. Mentoring and organizational culture of inquiry
C. Cost reduction strategies
D. Eliminating qualitative research from clinical decisions
Correct Answer: B. Mentoring and organizational culture of inquiry
Rationale: The ARCC Model, developed by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt, emphasizes the critical role of EBP mentors
and an organizational culture that supports evidence-based decision-making. The model proposes that EBP mentors
work directly with clinicians to build competencies and that organizational support is essential for sustained
implementation. It does not focus on cost reduction or exclude qualitative evidence.
6. A nurse identifies that patients on their unit experience high rates of catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTIs). In the Iowa Model, this is classified as:
A. A knowledge-focused trigger
B. A problem-focused trigger
C. An evidence-focused trigger
D. A research-focused trigger
Correct Answer: B. A problem-focused trigger
Rationale: The Iowa Model identifies two types of triggers: knowledge-focused triggers (new research findings, new
guidelines, or philosophical perspectives) and problem-focused triggers (clinical problems identified through quality
improvement data, risk management concerns, or clinical questions from practice). High CAUTI rates identified
through unit data represent a problem-focused trigger because they arise from an identified clinical problem requiring
practice improvement.
2
, 7. When formulating a PICOT question, the “T” component refers to:
A. Treatment type
B. Timeframe for outcome measurement or study duration
C. Type of research design
D. Target population
Correct Answer: B. Timeframe for outcome measurement or study duration
Rationale: In the PICOT framework, the “T” stands for Time—the timeframe within which the outcome is measured
or the duration of the intervention period. Including a time component improves the specificity and clinical
applicability of the question. For example, “within 30 days” or “over 6 months” provides boundaries for the evidence
search and outcome evaluation.
8. Which statement best describes the relationship between research and evidence-based practice?
A. Research and EBP are identical concepts
B. EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
C. EBP relies solely on research findings without clinical judgment
D. Research is only relevant to academic settings, not clinical practice
Correct Answer: B. EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is defined as the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence
with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences (Sackett et al.). Research generates new knowledge, but EBP
goes beyond research by also incorporating clinician expertise and patient preferences. This triad ensures that
practice decisions are both scientifically grounded and patient-centered.
9. A nurse is searching CINAHL for evidence on patient-centered care. Which Boolean operator would broaden
the search to include either term?
A. AND
B. OR
C. NOT
D. WITH
Correct Answer: B. OR
Rationale: The Boolean operator OR broadens a search by retrieving records containing any of the specified terms.
Using “patient-centered care OR patient-focused care” would retrieve articles containing either term. AND narrows
results by requiring all terms, NOT excludes terms, and WITH is not a standard Boolean operator in database
searching. OR is essential for capturing synonyms and related concepts.
10. Which level of evidence in the Johns Hopkins EBP hierarchy is considered the strongest?
A. Expert opinion
B. Individual qualitative study
C. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
D. Single descriptive study
Correct Answer: C. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
3
