NURS4905 – Capstone Project Final
Comprehensive Examination 100
Questions & Answers
Question 1
A nursing student is beginning their capstone project. Which step should be
completed first in the capstone process?
A) Implement the intervention
B) Identify a clinical problem or question that aligns with evidence-based practice
C) Disseminate the findings
D) Evaluate outcomes
Answer: B) Identify a clinical problem or question that aligns with evidence-
based practice
The capstone process begins with problem identification. A clear, focused clinical
question (often using PICOT format) guides the literature search, evidence
appraisal, and project design.
Question 2
A capstone student proposes a project to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTI) on a medical-surgical unit. Which PICOT question is best
structured?
A) “How do we prevent CAUTI?”
B) In hospitalized adults (P), does a nurse-initiated daily catheter necessity
assessment and reminder system (I) compared to no reminder system (C) reduce
CAUTI rates (O) over 6 months (T)?
C) “Why do CAUTIs happen?”
D) “What is the best treatment for CAUTI?”
,Answer: B) In hospitalized adults (P), does a nurse-initiated daily catheter
necessity assessment and reminder system (I) compared to no reminder
system (C) reduce CAUTI rates (O) over 6 months (T)?
A well-structured PICOT question includes Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. This format supports an efficient literature search and
evidence synthesis.
Question 3
A capstone student is conducting a literature review for a project on fall
prevention. Which type of source provides the highest level of evidence for an
intervention question?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case series
C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
D) Single descriptive study
Answer: C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
The evidence hierarchy places systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs at
the top for intervention questions. The capstone project should be based on the best
available evidence.
Question 4
A student is using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP)
model for their capstone project. The first phase of this model is:
A) Translation
B) Practice question
C) Evidence
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Practice question
,The JHNEBP model includes three phases: Practice Question (developing the
question), Evidence (search and appraisal), and Translation (implementation and
evaluation). Starting with a clear question is essential.
Question 5
A capstone student plans to implement a new protocol for early mobilization in the
ICU. Before implementation, the student must obtain:
A) Verbal approval from a single nurse
B) Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination (quality improvement vs.
research) and approval from unit leadership
C) No approvals
D) Only the patient’s consent
Answer: B) Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination (quality
improvement vs. research) and approval from unit leadership
Capstone projects that involve human subjects may require IRB review. Many
DNP and nursing capstone projects are quality improvement and may be exempt,
but formal determination is necessary. Unit and organizational leadership approval
is also required.
Question 6
A student is appraising evidence for a capstone project on pressure injury
prevention. The student finds a meta-analysis of 12 RCTs. The student should:
A) Ignore the meta-analysis because it is old
B) Critically appraise the meta-analysis for quality and applicability, and use the
highest level evidence to inform the project
C) Only use original research
D) Assume the meta-analysis is perfect without appraisal
Answer: B) Critically appraise the meta-analysis for quality and applicability,
and use the highest level evidence to inform the project
, Even high-level evidence must be critically appraised for relevance, validity, and
applicability to the specific setting and population. Capstone students must
demonstrate appraisal skills.
Question 7
A capstone student is planning a project to improve hand hygiene compliance.
Which outcome measure is most appropriate?
A) Patient satisfaction scores
B) Hand hygiene compliance rate (percentage of observed opportunities where
hand hygiene was performed)
C) Number of hand sanitizer dispensers in the unit
D) Nurse salary
Answer: B) Hand hygiene compliance rate (percentage of observed
opportunities where hand hygiene was performed)
A process measure (compliance rate) directly reflects the implementation of the
intervention. Outcome measures (e.g., infection rate) may be confounded and
require longer time frames, but can also be used.
Question 8
A student’s capstone project uses a pre-test/post-test design without a control
group. This design is an example of:
A) Randomized controlled trial
B) Quasi-experimental (one-group pre-test/post-test)
C) Case-control study
D) Qualitative study
Answer: B) Quasi-experimental (one-group pre-test/post-test)
Many capstone projects use quasi-experimental designs (pre-test/post-test,
interrupted time series) because randomization may not be feasible. The student
should discuss limitations (e.g., history, maturation).
Comprehensive Examination 100
Questions & Answers
Question 1
A nursing student is beginning their capstone project. Which step should be
completed first in the capstone process?
A) Implement the intervention
B) Identify a clinical problem or question that aligns with evidence-based practice
C) Disseminate the findings
D) Evaluate outcomes
Answer: B) Identify a clinical problem or question that aligns with evidence-
based practice
The capstone process begins with problem identification. A clear, focused clinical
question (often using PICOT format) guides the literature search, evidence
appraisal, and project design.
Question 2
A capstone student proposes a project to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTI) on a medical-surgical unit. Which PICOT question is best
structured?
A) “How do we prevent CAUTI?”
B) In hospitalized adults (P), does a nurse-initiated daily catheter necessity
assessment and reminder system (I) compared to no reminder system (C) reduce
CAUTI rates (O) over 6 months (T)?
C) “Why do CAUTIs happen?”
D) “What is the best treatment for CAUTI?”
,Answer: B) In hospitalized adults (P), does a nurse-initiated daily catheter
necessity assessment and reminder system (I) compared to no reminder
system (C) reduce CAUTI rates (O) over 6 months (T)?
A well-structured PICOT question includes Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. This format supports an efficient literature search and
evidence synthesis.
Question 3
A capstone student is conducting a literature review for a project on fall
prevention. Which type of source provides the highest level of evidence for an
intervention question?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case series
C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
D) Single descriptive study
Answer: C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
The evidence hierarchy places systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs at
the top for intervention questions. The capstone project should be based on the best
available evidence.
Question 4
A student is using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP)
model for their capstone project. The first phase of this model is:
A) Translation
B) Practice question
C) Evidence
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Practice question
,The JHNEBP model includes three phases: Practice Question (developing the
question), Evidence (search and appraisal), and Translation (implementation and
evaluation). Starting with a clear question is essential.
Question 5
A capstone student plans to implement a new protocol for early mobilization in the
ICU. Before implementation, the student must obtain:
A) Verbal approval from a single nurse
B) Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination (quality improvement vs.
research) and approval from unit leadership
C) No approvals
D) Only the patient’s consent
Answer: B) Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination (quality
improvement vs. research) and approval from unit leadership
Capstone projects that involve human subjects may require IRB review. Many
DNP and nursing capstone projects are quality improvement and may be exempt,
but formal determination is necessary. Unit and organizational leadership approval
is also required.
Question 6
A student is appraising evidence for a capstone project on pressure injury
prevention. The student finds a meta-analysis of 12 RCTs. The student should:
A) Ignore the meta-analysis because it is old
B) Critically appraise the meta-analysis for quality and applicability, and use the
highest level evidence to inform the project
C) Only use original research
D) Assume the meta-analysis is perfect without appraisal
Answer: B) Critically appraise the meta-analysis for quality and applicability,
and use the highest level evidence to inform the project
, Even high-level evidence must be critically appraised for relevance, validity, and
applicability to the specific setting and population. Capstone students must
demonstrate appraisal skills.
Question 7
A capstone student is planning a project to improve hand hygiene compliance.
Which outcome measure is most appropriate?
A) Patient satisfaction scores
B) Hand hygiene compliance rate (percentage of observed opportunities where
hand hygiene was performed)
C) Number of hand sanitizer dispensers in the unit
D) Nurse salary
Answer: B) Hand hygiene compliance rate (percentage of observed
opportunities where hand hygiene was performed)
A process measure (compliance rate) directly reflects the implementation of the
intervention. Outcome measures (e.g., infection rate) may be confounded and
require longer time frames, but can also be used.
Question 8
A student’s capstone project uses a pre-test/post-test design without a control
group. This design is an example of:
A) Randomized controlled trial
B) Quasi-experimental (one-group pre-test/post-test)
C) Case-control study
D) Qualitative study
Answer: B) Quasi-experimental (one-group pre-test/post-test)
Many capstone projects use quasi-experimental designs (pre-test/post-test,
interrupted time series) because randomization may not be feasible. The student
should discuss limitations (e.g., history, maturation).
