Ch 01: Intro to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
1. Which best describes evidence-based-practice (EBP)?
a. A combination of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and the needs and values
of patients.
b. A determination of the factors necessary to control patient responses to care.
c. The development of population care guidelines applicable to all patients.
d. The utilization of quantitative and qualitative studies to enhance patient
outcomes. ANS: A
A Evidence-based practice evolves from the integration of the best research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient needs and values.
B Studies that attempt to find determinants of patient outcomes are generally experimental
or quasi-experimental. They may be used to guide EBP but do not completely define it.
C EBP is a combination of guidelines and specific patient needs and values.
D Quantitative and qualitative studies applied to the evaluation of patient outcomes are part
of EBP but do not completely define EBP.
2. The nurse is collecting data about the sleep patterns of breastfed babies as part of a larger
research study. Which research method will the nurse use when collecting data for this study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: B
A Control can be described as the ability to write a prescription to produce the desired
outcome. B Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena
and the relationships among these phenomena.
C Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
D Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
3. The nurse is participating in a study and is collecting data identifying the number of obese
adults whose parents were also obese or overweight. Which research method is being used in this
study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: D
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.
B Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
C Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
D Through prediction the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
By knowing the percentage of parents of obese adults who were obese, the probability of predicting
this may be calculated.
,4. The nurse reviews a study in which adherence to an asthma action plan is compared among groups
of adolescents who received different asthma education. Which research method does this represent?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: C
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.
B Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
C Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
D Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
5. A nurse manager is interested in learning which attitudes among staff nurses may indicate relative
risk of needle-stick injuries. To study this, the nurse manager will employ which method of study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS:D
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired
outcome. B Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
C Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
D Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
6. Which is the most important result of Florence Nightingale’s data collection and statistical
analysis during the Crimean War?
a. Bringing awareness of the rigors of war to the general public.
b. Developing a process for statistical analysis and nursing documentation.
c. Identifying and defining the role of nurses in modern health care.
d. Using clinical research to evaluate the importance of sanitation, clean drinking water,
and adequate nutrition.
ANS: D
C This was not the most important result
D Nightingale’s research enabled her to instigate attitudinal, organizational, and social changes,
including the military’s approach to the care of the sick and society’s sense of responsibility for testing
public water, improving sanitation, and preventing starvation to decrease morbidity and mortality
rates.
7. The nurse participates in data collection in a study in which two different pain management
protocols are used with randomly assigned patients to measure differences in postoperative recovery
time. Which method of study is this?
a. Control
b. Correlation
c. Description
d. Explanation
,ANS: A
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired
outcome. B Correlation examines the relationships between different phenomena.
C Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
D Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
8. The development of nursing theories and conceptual models in the late 1960s and 1970s served to:
a. determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.
b. establish the concept of evidence-based practice.
c. provide funding for nursing research.
d. provide direction for nursing
research. ANS: D
A Outcome studies are used to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.
B The concept of EBP was developed in the 1970s and promoted by the ANCC Magnet
Designation program.
C The NINR seeks to provide funding for nursing research.
D The theories developed in the 1960s and 1970s helped to direct future nursing research.
9. Under Ada Sue Hinshaw, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) began to change its
focus to:
a. funding nursing rather than medical research.
b. evaluating outcomes rather than process studies.
c. increasing the status and funding for nursing research.
d. supporting the dissemination of nursing
research. ANS: C
A The change in focus from medical to nursing research came about with the first nursing
programs. Specialty nursing organizations today and some nursing researchers still conduct
medical research for specific studies.
B Outcomes research emerged in the 1980s and 1990s to document the effectiveness of
health care services.
C Under Ada Sue Hinshaw, the national Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) changed its name
to the NINR to increase the status and funding of nursing research.
D The NCNR’s purpose was to support the dissemination of nursing research.
10. An emphasis of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Hospital
Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing is:
a. research and development of clinical practice guidelines.
b. putting qualitative research into practice in clinical settings.
c. using standard nursing care plans based on outcomes research.
d. utilizing evidence-based practice in
nursing. ANS: D
A Clinical practice guidelines are a more recent phenomenon, using evidence-based
research, expert opinion, and patient needs and values to standardize care.
B Qualitative research was introduced in the late 1970s to gain insight into the phenomena
related to nursing.
, C Outcomes research was important in the 1980s to 1990s to document the effectiveness
of health care services.
D ANCC implemented the Magnet Hospital Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing
Service in 1990 that emphasized EBP for nursing.
11. In a position statement in 2006, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identified
a need to:
a. acquire clinical knowledge and expertise.
b. focus on evidence-based practice.
c. fund academic nursing research.
d. prepare a workforce of nurse
scientists. ANS: D
A Basic nursing education focuses on clinical knowledge and expertise.
B Evidence-based practice is a focus of ANCC and the Magnet Designation Program for
Excellence in Nursing Service.
C The NINR focuses on funding for nursing research.
D The AACN identified the importance of creating a research culture, providing high-quality
educational programs to prepare a workforce of nurse scientists, develop a sound research
structure, and obtain funding for nursing research.
12. The lead agency designated to improve health care quality is:
a. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
b. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
c. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN).
d. National Institute for Nursing Research
(NINR). ANS: A
A AHRQ is a scientific partner with the public and private sectors to improve the quality and
safety of patient care.
B ANCC provides credentialing for advanced practice nurses and for Magnet Designation
for Excellence in Nursing Service
C QSEN is focused on developing the requisite skills, knowledge, and attitude statements for
the competencies for prelicensure and graduate education.
D The National Institute of Nursing Research, originally the National Center for Nursing Research,
is a federally funded arm of the National Institutes of Health, providing nursing with federal support for
nursing research priorities.
13. To help fulfill the mission of the National Institute for Nursing Research—to promote and
improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations—a study may be
conducted which:
a. assesses the effectiveness of strategies for weight management in patients with type 2 diabetes.
b. compares the attitudes of nurses toward clients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
c. generates up-to-date nursing diagnoses reflecting the needs of clients with type 2 diabetes.
d. reviews hospital nurses’ adherence to glucose-monitoring guidelines for patients with type
2 diabetes.
ANS: A
A A study that assesses the effectiveness of interventions helps to improve the health of
patient populations by identifying appropriate strategies.
B A comparison of attitudes is a descriptive study that does not improve
outcomes. C A study to generate nursing diagnoses does not directly affect patient
outcomes.
1. Which best describes evidence-based-practice (EBP)?
a. A combination of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and the needs and values
of patients.
b. A determination of the factors necessary to control patient responses to care.
c. The development of population care guidelines applicable to all patients.
d. The utilization of quantitative and qualitative studies to enhance patient
outcomes. ANS: A
A Evidence-based practice evolves from the integration of the best research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient needs and values.
B Studies that attempt to find determinants of patient outcomes are generally experimental
or quasi-experimental. They may be used to guide EBP but do not completely define it.
C EBP is a combination of guidelines and specific patient needs and values.
D Quantitative and qualitative studies applied to the evaluation of patient outcomes are part
of EBP but do not completely define EBP.
2. The nurse is collecting data about the sleep patterns of breastfed babies as part of a larger
research study. Which research method will the nurse use when collecting data for this study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: B
A Control can be described as the ability to write a prescription to produce the desired
outcome. B Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena
and the relationships among these phenomena.
C Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
D Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
3. The nurse is participating in a study and is collecting data identifying the number of obese
adults whose parents were also obese or overweight. Which research method is being used in this
study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: D
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.
B Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
C Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
D Through prediction the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
By knowing the percentage of parents of obese adults who were obese, the probability of predicting
this may be calculated.
,4. The nurse reviews a study in which adherence to an asthma action plan is compared among groups
of adolescents who received different asthma education. Which research method does this represent?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: C
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.
B Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
C Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
D Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
5. A nurse manager is interested in learning which attitudes among staff nurses may indicate relative
risk of needle-stick injuries. To study this, the nurse manager will employ which method of study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS:D
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired
outcome. B Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
C Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
D Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
6. Which is the most important result of Florence Nightingale’s data collection and statistical
analysis during the Crimean War?
a. Bringing awareness of the rigors of war to the general public.
b. Developing a process for statistical analysis and nursing documentation.
c. Identifying and defining the role of nurses in modern health care.
d. Using clinical research to evaluate the importance of sanitation, clean drinking water,
and adequate nutrition.
ANS: D
C This was not the most important result
D Nightingale’s research enabled her to instigate attitudinal, organizational, and social changes,
including the military’s approach to the care of the sick and society’s sense of responsibility for testing
public water, improving sanitation, and preventing starvation to decrease morbidity and mortality
rates.
7. The nurse participates in data collection in a study in which two different pain management
protocols are used with randomly assigned patients to measure differences in postoperative recovery
time. Which method of study is this?
a. Control
b. Correlation
c. Description
d. Explanation
,ANS: A
A Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired
outcome. B Correlation examines the relationships between different phenomena.
C Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and
the relationships among these phenomena.
D Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain
events occur.
8. The development of nursing theories and conceptual models in the late 1960s and 1970s served to:
a. determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.
b. establish the concept of evidence-based practice.
c. provide funding for nursing research.
d. provide direction for nursing
research. ANS: D
A Outcome studies are used to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.
B The concept of EBP was developed in the 1970s and promoted by the ANCC Magnet
Designation program.
C The NINR seeks to provide funding for nursing research.
D The theories developed in the 1960s and 1970s helped to direct future nursing research.
9. Under Ada Sue Hinshaw, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) began to change its
focus to:
a. funding nursing rather than medical research.
b. evaluating outcomes rather than process studies.
c. increasing the status and funding for nursing research.
d. supporting the dissemination of nursing
research. ANS: C
A The change in focus from medical to nursing research came about with the first nursing
programs. Specialty nursing organizations today and some nursing researchers still conduct
medical research for specific studies.
B Outcomes research emerged in the 1980s and 1990s to document the effectiveness of
health care services.
C Under Ada Sue Hinshaw, the national Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) changed its name
to the NINR to increase the status and funding of nursing research.
D The NCNR’s purpose was to support the dissemination of nursing research.
10. An emphasis of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Hospital
Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing is:
a. research and development of clinical practice guidelines.
b. putting qualitative research into practice in clinical settings.
c. using standard nursing care plans based on outcomes research.
d. utilizing evidence-based practice in
nursing. ANS: D
A Clinical practice guidelines are a more recent phenomenon, using evidence-based
research, expert opinion, and patient needs and values to standardize care.
B Qualitative research was introduced in the late 1970s to gain insight into the phenomena
related to nursing.
, C Outcomes research was important in the 1980s to 1990s to document the effectiveness
of health care services.
D ANCC implemented the Magnet Hospital Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing
Service in 1990 that emphasized EBP for nursing.
11. In a position statement in 2006, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identified
a need to:
a. acquire clinical knowledge and expertise.
b. focus on evidence-based practice.
c. fund academic nursing research.
d. prepare a workforce of nurse
scientists. ANS: D
A Basic nursing education focuses on clinical knowledge and expertise.
B Evidence-based practice is a focus of ANCC and the Magnet Designation Program for
Excellence in Nursing Service.
C The NINR focuses on funding for nursing research.
D The AACN identified the importance of creating a research culture, providing high-quality
educational programs to prepare a workforce of nurse scientists, develop a sound research
structure, and obtain funding for nursing research.
12. The lead agency designated to improve health care quality is:
a. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
b. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
c. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN).
d. National Institute for Nursing Research
(NINR). ANS: A
A AHRQ is a scientific partner with the public and private sectors to improve the quality and
safety of patient care.
B ANCC provides credentialing for advanced practice nurses and for Magnet Designation
for Excellence in Nursing Service
C QSEN is focused on developing the requisite skills, knowledge, and attitude statements for
the competencies for prelicensure and graduate education.
D The National Institute of Nursing Research, originally the National Center for Nursing Research,
is a federally funded arm of the National Institutes of Health, providing nursing with federal support for
nursing research priorities.
13. To help fulfill the mission of the National Institute for Nursing Research—to promote and
improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations—a study may be
conducted which:
a. assesses the effectiveness of strategies for weight management in patients with type 2 diabetes.
b. compares the attitudes of nurses toward clients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
c. generates up-to-date nursing diagnoses reflecting the needs of clients with type 2 diabetes.
d. reviews hospital nurses’ adherence to glucose-monitoring guidelines for patients with type
2 diabetes.
ANS: A
A A study that assesses the effectiveness of interventions helps to improve the health of
patient populations by identifying appropriate strategies.
B A comparison of attitudes is a descriptive study that does not improve
outcomes. C A study to generate nursing diagnoses does not directly affect patient
outcomes.
