NCLEX Evidence-Based Exam Practice Questions and Answers

150 Questions and Answers

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Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a cornerstone of modern nursing, ensuring that clinical decisions are guided by the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. This NCLEX Evidence-Based Exam Practice Questions and Answers resource is designed to help you build the critical thinking skills necessary to apply EBP in real-world nursing scenarios—an essential competency assessed on the NCLEX-RN exam.

This practice exam covers fundamental topics such as formulating clinical questions using the PICOT framework, understanding research designs, analyzing data validity, interpreting outcomes, and applying findings to patient care. You’ll also explore how to integrate patient values and clinical expertise into decision-making, while ensuring care is safe, effective, and aligned with professional standards.

The questions are scenario-based and aligned with the latest NCLEX test plan, emphasizing clinical judgment and priority-setting skills. Topics include quality improvement, best practice guidelines, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ethical use of research in healthcare settings.

Through realistic and thought-provoking questions, you’ll enhance your ability to critically appraise clinical literature, recognize credible sources, and apply research findings appropriately. This is particularly useful for addressing common clinical issues such as infection control, pain management, medication safety, and care transitions.

The practice content reinforces the nurse’s role as a lifelong learner and advocate for high-quality, research-informed care. It also emphasizes the importance of continuing education, policy development, and professional accountability within healthcare systems.

Whether you’re a nursing student preparing for licensure or a graduate refining your knowledge, this resource offers targeted preparation to help you succeed on the NCLEX. It builds your confidence in using evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes, enhance safety, and contribute to better healthcare delivery.

By mastering the principles of EBP, you’ll not only be prepared for the exam—you’ll also be equipped to deliver informed, effective, and compassionate care throughout your nursing career.

Sample Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
A) To reduce healthcare costs
B) To improve patient outcomes
C) To standardize care
D) To eliminate the need for clinical guidelines
Answer: B) To improve patient outcomes

Which of the following is the first step in the evidence-based practice process?
A) Appraising the evidence
B) Asking a clinical question
C) Implementing the evidence
D) Evaluating outcomes
Answer: B) Asking a clinical question

The PICO framework is used for:
A) Conducting research studies
B) Formulating clinical questions
C) Developing clinical protocols
D) Assessing patient satisfaction
Answer: B) Formulating clinical questions

In the PICO framework, what does “I” stand for?
A) Intervention
B) Information
C) Individual
D) Integration
Answer: A) Intervention

Which type of evidence is considered the highest level in the evidence hierarchy?
A) Expert opinion
B) Case-control studies
C) Randomized controlled trials
D) Systematic reviews
Answer: D) Systematic reviews

A nurse wants to evaluate the reliability of a research study. Which aspect should be reviewed?
A) Sample size
B) Funding source
C) Researcher’s credentials
D) Statistical significance
Answer: A) Sample size

What is a key benefit of using clinical guidelines in nursing practice?
A) They eliminate the need for critical thinking
B) They guarantee patient satisfaction
C) They provide evidence-based recommendations
D) They replace professional judgment
Answer: C) They provide evidence-based recommendations

Which of the following is an example of a qualitative research method?
A) Meta-analysis
B) Randomized trial
C) Grounded theory
D) Cohort study
Answer: C) Grounded theory

Evidence-based practice requires integration of the following, EXCEPT:
A) Clinical expertise
B) Patient preferences
C) Cost-benefit analysis
D) Best research evidence
Answer: C) Cost-benefit analysis

The term “statistical significance” refers to:
A) Clinical importance of results
B) Probability that results occurred by chance
C) Relevance of findings to practice
D) Sample size adequacy
Answer: B) Probability that results occurred by chance

 

Which database is commonly used to find evidence-based nursing articles?
A) PubMed
B) WebMD
C) Wikipedia
D) Google Scholar
Answer: A) PubMed

What is the primary benefit of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)?
A) They are easy to conduct
B) They minimize bias
C) They require fewer participants
D) They are subjective in nature
Answer: B) They minimize bias

The best way to assess the credibility of a journal article is to:
A) Check the publishing date
B) Evaluate the peer-review process
C) Review the article’s length
D) Examine the font and formatting
Answer: B) Evaluate the peer-review process

Which part of a research article summarizes the study’s purpose and findings?
A) Introduction
B) Methods
C) Abstract
D) Results
Answer: C) Abstract

What does “clinical significance” mean in evidence-based practice?
A) The study results are statistically significant
B) The findings are meaningful for patient care
C) The results apply to all clinical settings
D) The study was funded by a clinical organization
Answer: B) The findings are meaningful for patient care

Which term describes the consistency of a research study’s results?
A) Validity
B) Reliability
C) Generalizability
D) Feasibility
Answer: B) Reliability

Which study design is best suited for identifying cause-and-effect relationships?
A) Cross-sectional study
B) Case-control study
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Qualitative study
Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial

A nurse uses the “5 A’s” of evidence-based practice. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
A) Assess
B) Appraise
C) Apply
D) Advocate
Answer: D) Advocate

What is a “meta-analysis”?
A) A study focusing on one specific patient population
B) A statistical technique combining results from multiple studies
C) A qualitative research approach
D) A summary of clinical guidelines
Answer: B) A statistical technique combining results from multiple studies

Which of the following is an example of a primary source of evidence?
A) Systematic reviews
B) Clinical guidelines
C) Original research study
D) Textbooks
Answer: C) Original research study

When critically appraising a study, the first step is to:
A) Evaluate its ethical considerations
B) Identify its relevance to practice
C) Review the abstract
D) Analyze the statistical methods
Answer: B) Identify its relevance to practice

What type of evidence is generally considered the weakest?
A) Cohort studies
B) Case reports
C) Expert opinion
D) Randomized controlled trials
Answer: C) Expert opinion

In the PICO framework, the “C” represents:
A) Comparison
B) Clinical guidelines
C) Criteria
D) Control group
Answer: A) Comparison

What is the main purpose of qualitative research in nursing?
A) To evaluate treatment outcomes
B) To explore patients’ experiences and perceptions
C) To compare two or more interventions
D) To establish causality
Answer: B) To explore patients’ experiences and perceptions

What is the term for the ability of a study’s findings to be applied to other settings?
A) Validity
B) Transferability
C) Reliability
D) Objectivity
Answer: B) Transferability

A nurse integrates patient preferences into care decisions. This is an example of:
A) Evidence-based practice
B) Holistic nursing
C) Shared decision-making
D) Ethical nursing practice
Answer: C) Shared decision-making

What is an advantage of systematic reviews?
A) They provide a quick summary of a single study
B) They combine evidence from multiple sources
C) They focus on qualitative data only
D) They eliminate the need for clinical trials
Answer: B) They combine evidence from multiple sources

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