Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare
A Guide to Best Practice | 2025 update | All Chapters
covered
,Chapter 1: Making the Case for Evidence-Based Practice and Cultivating
a Spirit of Inquiry
1.
A new graduate nurse in a busy medical-surgical unit notices that multiple patients receive
varying wound care treatments for similar pressure injuries. The nurse wonders whether a
standardized protocol would improve healing outcomes. What is the nurse
demonstrating?
A. Resistance to institutional policy
B. Lack of clinical confidence
C. A spirit of inquiry
D. A knowledge deficit
ANS: C
Rationale: A spirit of inquiry involves questioning existing practices and seeking evidence-
based improvements. It is the foundational step toward integrating evidence-based
practice (EBP) into care.
2.
A hospital is experiencing high rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections
(CAUTIs). Leadership decides to implement a nurse-led EBP initiative. What is the primary
goal of this initiative?
A. Reduce staffing needs
B. Minimize physician workload
C. Apply the best available evidence to improve outcomes
D. Increase use of advanced technology
ANS: C
Rationale: EBP seeks to integrate the best evidence with clinical expertise and patient
preferences to improve patient outcomes and healthcare quality.
3.
During EBP training, a nurse asks, “Why is research alone not enough to make practice
changes?” The most accurate response is:
,A. Research alone is always outdated
B. Clinical expertise and patient preferences must also be considered
C. Research is only for academic use
D. Nurses are not trained to interpret research
ANS: B
Rationale: EBP is a triad that incorporates best current evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient values to ensure relevant, individualized, and effective care.
4.
A nurse manager encourages her team to routinely reflect on practice and seek better
outcomes. Which leadership quality is she fostering?
A. Punitive supervision
B. Hierarchical control
C. Inquiry-based leadership
D. Passive delegation
ANS: C
Rationale: Leaders who promote critical thinking and continuous questioning cultivate a
culture of EBP and drive practice transformation.
5.
Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice?
A. Providing care based solely on clinical intuition
B. Using current research evidence, patient values, and clinical expertise
C. Following hospital protocols without question
D. Applying only randomized controlled trials to patient care
ANS: B
Rationale: EBP blends high-quality evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
for optimal clinical decision-making.
6.
, A nurse is hesitant to question long-standing unit practices due to fear of criticism. What
barrier to EBP is this an example of?
A. Knowledge deficit
B. Lack of time
C. Organizational resistance
D. Cultural intimidation
ANS: D
Rationale: Fear of speaking out or being criticized indicates a culture that does not yet
fully support inquiry or innovation, hindering EBP.
7.
A nurse develops a PICOT question regarding early ambulation post-hip surgery. What role
does this question play in EBP?
A. Promotes personal bias
B. Helps narrow down clinical trials
C. Drives a focused literature search
D. Replaces critical thinking
ANS: C
Rationale: A well-formulated PICOT question clarifies the clinical issue, guiding the
literature search and ensuring relevant evidence is gathered.
8.
Which of the following best reflects an outcome of a spirit of inquiry?
A. Rigid adherence to routines
B. Increased patient passivity
C. Frequent peer confrontation
D. Engagement in practice-improvement efforts
ANS: D
Rationale: A spirit of inquiry naturally leads to active exploration and pursuit of
improvements in patient care practices.
A Guide to Best Practice | 2025 update | All Chapters
covered
,Chapter 1: Making the Case for Evidence-Based Practice and Cultivating
a Spirit of Inquiry
1.
A new graduate nurse in a busy medical-surgical unit notices that multiple patients receive
varying wound care treatments for similar pressure injuries. The nurse wonders whether a
standardized protocol would improve healing outcomes. What is the nurse
demonstrating?
A. Resistance to institutional policy
B. Lack of clinical confidence
C. A spirit of inquiry
D. A knowledge deficit
ANS: C
Rationale: A spirit of inquiry involves questioning existing practices and seeking evidence-
based improvements. It is the foundational step toward integrating evidence-based
practice (EBP) into care.
2.
A hospital is experiencing high rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections
(CAUTIs). Leadership decides to implement a nurse-led EBP initiative. What is the primary
goal of this initiative?
A. Reduce staffing needs
B. Minimize physician workload
C. Apply the best available evidence to improve outcomes
D. Increase use of advanced technology
ANS: C
Rationale: EBP seeks to integrate the best evidence with clinical expertise and patient
preferences to improve patient outcomes and healthcare quality.
3.
During EBP training, a nurse asks, “Why is research alone not enough to make practice
changes?” The most accurate response is:
,A. Research alone is always outdated
B. Clinical expertise and patient preferences must also be considered
C. Research is only for academic use
D. Nurses are not trained to interpret research
ANS: B
Rationale: EBP is a triad that incorporates best current evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient values to ensure relevant, individualized, and effective care.
4.
A nurse manager encourages her team to routinely reflect on practice and seek better
outcomes. Which leadership quality is she fostering?
A. Punitive supervision
B. Hierarchical control
C. Inquiry-based leadership
D. Passive delegation
ANS: C
Rationale: Leaders who promote critical thinking and continuous questioning cultivate a
culture of EBP and drive practice transformation.
5.
Which of the following best defines evidence-based practice?
A. Providing care based solely on clinical intuition
B. Using current research evidence, patient values, and clinical expertise
C. Following hospital protocols without question
D. Applying only randomized controlled trials to patient care
ANS: B
Rationale: EBP blends high-quality evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
for optimal clinical decision-making.
6.
, A nurse is hesitant to question long-standing unit practices due to fear of criticism. What
barrier to EBP is this an example of?
A. Knowledge deficit
B. Lack of time
C. Organizational resistance
D. Cultural intimidation
ANS: D
Rationale: Fear of speaking out or being criticized indicates a culture that does not yet
fully support inquiry or innovation, hindering EBP.
7.
A nurse develops a PICOT question regarding early ambulation post-hip surgery. What role
does this question play in EBP?
A. Promotes personal bias
B. Helps narrow down clinical trials
C. Drives a focused literature search
D. Replaces critical thinking
ANS: C
Rationale: A well-formulated PICOT question clarifies the clinical issue, guiding the
literature search and ensuring relevant evidence is gathered.
8.
Which of the following best reflects an outcome of a spirit of inquiry?
A. Rigid adherence to routines
B. Increased patient passivity
C. Frequent peer confrontation
D. Engagement in practice-improvement efforts
ANS: D
Rationale: A spirit of inquiry naturally leads to active exploration and pursuit of
improvements in patient care practices.
