Chapter 1. Discovering the World of Nursing Research

MULTIPLE CHOICE

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

Feedback

AEvidence-based practice evolves from the integration of the best research evidence with 

clinical expertise and patient needs and values.

BStudies 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.

CEBP is a combination of guidelines and specific patient needs and values.

DQuantitative and qualitative studies applied to the evaluation of patient outcomes are part of 

EBP but do not completely define EBP.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)

REF: MCS: 3

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

Feedback

AControl 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. 

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension) 

REF: MCS: 6 

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

Feedback

AControl indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.

BDescription involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the 

relationships among these phenomena.

CExplanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain events 

occur.

DThrough 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.

PTS:1DIF:Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF: pp. 7-8

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 

Feedback

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. 

PTS:1DIF:Cognitive level: Applying (Application) 

REF: MCS: 7 

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

Feedback

AControl indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.

BExplanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain events 

occur.

CDescription involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the 

relationships among these phenomena.

DThrough prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.

PTS:1DIF:Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF: pp. 7-8

6. Which is the most important result of Florence Nightingales 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

Feedback

AThis was not the most important result

BThis was not the most important result

CThis was not the most important result

DNightingales research enabled her to instigate attitudinal, organizational, and social changes, 

including the militarys approach to the care of the sick and societys sense of responsibility for 

testing public water, improving sanitation, and preventing starvation to decrease morbidity and 

mortality rates.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)

REF: MCS: 11 

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

Feedback

AControl indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce a desired outcome.

BCorrelation examines the relationships between different phenomena.

CDescription involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the 

relationships among these phenomena.

DExplanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain events 

occur.

PTS:1DIF:Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF: MCS: 8 

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

Feedback

AOutcome studies are used to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.

BThe concept of EBP was developed in the 1970s and promoted by the ANCC Magnet 

Designation program.

CThe NINR seeks to provide funding for nursing research.

DThe theories developed in the 1960s and 1970s helped to direct future nursing research.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)

REF: pp. 11-12

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

Feedback

AThe 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.

BOutcomes research emerged in the 1980s and 1990s to document the effectiveness of health 

care services.

CUnder 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.

DThe NCNRs purpose was to support the dissemination of nursing research.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)

REF: pp. 12-13

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

Feedback

AClinical practice guidelines are a more recent phenomenon, using evidence-based research, 

expert opinion, and patient needs and values to standardize care.

BQualitative research was introduced in the late 1970s to gain insight into the phenomena related 

to nursing.

COutcomes research was important in the 1980s to 1990s to document the effectiveness of 

health care services.

DANCC implemented the Magnet Hospital Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing 

Service in 1990 that emphasized EBP for nursing.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)

REF: pp. 12-13

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

Feedback

ABasic nursing education focuses on clinical knowledge and expertise.

BEvidence-based practice is a focus of ANCC and the Magnet Designation Program for 

Excellence in Nursing Service.

CThe NINR focuses on funding for nursing research.

DThe 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.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)

REF: MCS: 14 

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

Feedback

AAHRQ is a scientific partner with the public and private sectors to improve the quality and 

safety of patient care.

BANCC provides credentialing for advanced practice nurses and for Magnet Designation for 

Excellence in Nursing Service

CQSEN is focused on developing the requisite skills, knowledge, and attitude statements for the 

competencies for prelicensure and graduate education.

DThe 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.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)

REF: pp. 12-13

13. To help fulfill the mission of the National Institute for Nursing Researchto promote and

improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populationsa 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

Feedback

AA study that assesses the effectiveness of interventions helps to improve the health of patient 

populations by identifying appropriate strategies.

BA comparison of attitudes is a descriptive study that does not improve outcomes.

CA study to generate nursing diagnoses does not directly affect patient outcomes.

DA study reviewing adherence to guidelines seeks to provide data for quality assurance.

PTS:1DIF:Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF: pp. 14-15

14. Which best describes the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competency for

evidence-based practice (EBP)?

a.Adhering to published guidelines to provide care for a specific population.

b.Empowering clients to choose among effective disease management strategies.

c.Relying on expert knowledge to guide care plan development for an individual patient.

d.Using evidence gained solely from experimental studies to guide care.

ANS: B

Feedback

AStrict adherence to guidelines does not take the patient/family preferences into account.

BThe QSEN competency for EBP is defined as integrating the best evidence with clinical 

expertise and patient/family preferences.

CEBP does not rely solely on expert knowledge or experimental studies.

DAlthough experimental studies provide the highest level of study data, EBP does not rely soley 

on experiemental studies..

PTS:1DIF:Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF: MCS: 15 

15. Through knowledge gained from her phenomenological qualitative study identifying levels

of experience of professional nurses, Patricia Benner would identify which nurse as an expert? 

a.A hospice nurse who values the unique wishes of each patient when providing palliative care.

b.A medical-surgical nurse who organizes care for a group of patients to ensure timely

administration of medications.

c.A neonatal intensive care nurse who is skilled in inserting peripherally inserted central

catheters.

d.A pediatric nurse who notes subtle changes and intervenes to prevent respiratory failure.

ANS: D

Feedback

AThe proficient nurse views the patient as a whole and recognizes that each patient responds 

differently to illness and health.

BThe competent nurse is able to achieve goals and plans and to take conscious actions to 

organize and provide efficient care.

CThe NIC nurse is also an example of a competent nurse who is skilled in a procedure.

DThe expert nurse has an extensive background of experience and is able to identify and 

accurately intervene skillfully in a situation. The pediatric nurse in this case recognizes subtle 

changes and is able to act to prevent serious circumstances.

Chapter 2. Evolution of Research in Building Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. In which way did Florence Nightingale contribute to evidence-based practice?

a. She conducted research on outcomes and the power of nursing for change.

b. She was the first woman elected to the Royal Statistical Society.

c. She gathered data that changed the care of hospitalized soldiers.

d. She calculated mortality rates under varying conditions.

ANS: C

Nightingale gathered data on soldier morbidity and mortality rates and the factors influencing 

them and presented her results in tables and pie charts, a sophisticated type of data presentation 

for the period. Nightingales research enabled her to instigate attitudinal, organizational, and 

social changes. She changed the attitudes of the military and society toward the care of the sick. 

The military began to view the sick as having the right to adequate food, suitable quarters, and 

appropriate medical treatment, which greatly reduced the mortality rate.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: MCS: 17