Practice Nurse OA Study Guide with Real Exam
Practice Questions, Correct Detailed Answers &
Explanations || Latest Update 2026
Question 1
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is gathering data for an ongoing research
project. In the project, the APRN is interviewing individual patients as well as
conducting focused group sessions with multiple patients. Which type of research design
is being used by the APRN?
a. Quasi-experimental
b. Qualitative
c. Experimental
d. Descriptive
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Qualitative research relies on data obtained by the researcher from first-
hand observation, interviews, questionnaires (on which participants write
descriptively), focus groups, participant observation, recordings made in natural
settings, documents, case studies, and artifacts.
Question 2
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is gathering data for an ongoing research
project. In the project, a group of individuals with Type 2 diabetes are divided into two
randomized groups. Which type of research design is being used by the APRN?
a. Quasi-experimental
b. Qualitative
c. Experimental
d. Descriptive
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: In an experimental research study, the participants in both the
treatment and control groups are randomly assigned.
pg. 1
,Question 3
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is gathering data for an ongoing research
project. In the project, a group of individuals with Type 2 diabetes are divided into two
non-randomized groups. Which type of research design is being used by the APRN?
a. Quasi-experimental
b. Qualitative
c. Experimental
d. Descriptive
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: A quasi-experimental design does not randomly assign participants to
treatment or control groups for comparison.
Question 4
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is gathering data for an ongoing research
project. In the project, the APRN is focusing on identifying the characteristics that make
up a population of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Which type of research design is being
used by the APRN?
a. Quasi-experimental
b. Qualitative
c. Experimental
d. Descriptive
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Descriptive Research is used to describe characteristics of a population
or phenomenon being studied. It does not answer questions about how/when/why the
characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what" question (what are the
characteristics of the population or situation being studied?).
Question 5
What is the purpose of Level I research?
a. To define characteristics of interest of groups of patients
b. To demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment
c. To describe relationships among characteristics or variables
d. To evaluate the nature of relationships between two variables
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Level I research is conducted to define the characteristics of groups of
patients.
pg. 2
,Question 6
What is the purpose of Level II research?
a. To define characteristics of interest of groups of patients
b. To demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment
c. To describe relationships among characteristics or variables
d. To evaluate the nature of relationships between two variables
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Level II research is concerned with describing the relationships among
characteristics or variables.
Question 7
What is the purpose of Level III research?
a. To define characteristics of interest of groups of patients
b. To demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment
c. To describe relationships among characteristics or variables
d. To evaluate the nature of relationships between two variables
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Level III research evaluates the nature of the relationships between two
variables.
Question 8
What is the purpose of Level IV research?
a. To define characteristics of interest of groups of patients
b. To demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment
c. To describe relationships among characteristics or variables
d. To evaluate the nature of relationships between two variables
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Level IV research is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of
interventions or treatments.
Question 9
Which is the most appropriate research design for a Level I research study?
a. Epidemiological studies
b. Experimental design
c. Qualitative studies
d. Randomized clinical trials
pg. 3
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Qualitative designs are useful for Level I research studies.
Question 10
Which is the most appropriate research design for a Level II research study?
a. Epidemiological studies
b. Experimental design
c. Qualitative studies
d. Randomized clinical trials
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Epidemiological studies are appropriate for level II studies.
Question 11
Which is the most appropriate research design for a Level III research study?
a. Epidemiological studies
b. Experimental design
c. Qualitative studies
d. Randomized clinical trials
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The experimental design is the most appropriate design for a Level III
study. Epidemiological studies are appropriate for level II studies. Qualitative designs
are useful for Level I studies. Randomized clinical trials are used for Level IV studies.
Question 12
Which is the most appropriate research design for a Level IV research study?
a. Epidemiological studies
b. Experimental design
c. Qualitative studies
d. Randomized clinical trials
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Randomized clinical trials are used for Level IV studies.
Question 13
What is the purpose of clinical research trials in the spectrum of translational research?
a. Adoption of interventions and clinical practices into routine clinical care
pg. 4