TLB-Chapter 2: Theory, Research, and Evidence-Informed Practice

A nurse is reviewing nursing theory for usefulness in a home healthcare setting. Which is the appropriate application of Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Model in a home healthcare setting? A. Match the client's self-care needs with appropriate supportive interventions. B. Counsel client on methods to adapt to current state to reduce stress. C. Assist the client to conserve and maintain principles of personal and social integrity. D. Monitor therapeutic interventions in the client's home.

A. Match the client's self-care needs with appropriate supportive interventions. RATIONALE According to Orem's Self-Care Model, a nurse assists clients with self-care to improve or to maintain health, as well as to progressively maximize self-care potential. Helping a client find appropriate support at home demonstrates this theory. The other options do not demonstrate this model.

The statement, "More frequent handwashing will significantly lower the rate of infection in hospitalized clients," is an example of what research component? A. Hypothesis B. Proposal C. Research question D. Implication

A. Hypothesis RATIONALE Research is defined as a formalized process of systematic investigation designed to test a research question or hypothesis. This statement is testable and is not formulated as a question - it is therefore a hypothesis statement.

Which theory describes, explains, predicts, and controls outcomes in nursing practice? A. Nursing theory B. Systems theory C. Adaptation theory D. Developmental theory

A. Nursing theory RATIONALE Nursing theory describes, explains, predicts, and controls outcomes in nursing practice. Systems theory describes how parts interact together. Adaptation theory describes adjustment of living things to other living things and the environment. Developmental theory describes maturation of humans through stages.

A nurse is using general systems theory to describe the role of nursing to provide health promotion and patient teaching. Which statements reflect key points of this theory? Select all that apply. A. A system is a set of individual elements that rarely interact with each other. B. The whole system is always greater than the sum of its parts. C. Boundaries separate systems from each other and their environments. D. A change in one subsystem will not affect other subsystems. E. To survive, open systems maintain balance through feedback. F. A closed system allows input from or output to the environment.

B. The whole system is always greater than the sum of its parts. C. Boundaries separate systems from each other and their environments. E. To survive, open systems maintain balance through feedback.

When conducting quantitative research, the researcher collects information to support a hypothesis. This information would be identified as: A. The subject B. Variables C. Data D. The instrument

C. Data RATIONALE Data refer to information that the researcher collects from subjects in the study (expressed in numbers).

The process of considering an idea as a whole and then dividing it into smaller, more specific ideas is which? A. Theory B. Concept C. Deductive reasoning D. Inductive reasoning

C. Deductive reasoning RATIONALE Deductive reasoning involves looking at an idea as a whole and then considering more specific ideas. Theory is a group of concepts and the relationships among them. Concepts are abstract ideas or objects and their relationships to one another. Inductive reasoning is derived from consideration of specific properties to conclusions about a general idea.

The nurse is reading about nursing theorists for a class. The theory reveals the following, "Individuals who use self-care to sustain life and health, to recover from disease or injury, or to cope with its effects." Which individual developed this theory? A. Sister Callista Roy B. Virginia Henderson C. Dorothea Orem D. Florence Nightingale

C. Dorothea Orem RATIONALE Dorothea Orem wrote the Self-care theory, referring to individuals using self-care to sustain life and health, recover from disease or injury, or cope with its effects. Sister Callista Roy, Virginia Henderson, and Florence Nightingale wrote other theories.

Knowledge gained from someone with a great deal of perceived experience is which type of knowledge? A. Traditional knowledge B. Authoritative knowledge C. Scientific knowledge D. Philosophy knowledge

B. Authoritative knowledge RATIONALE Authoritative knowledge comes from an expert or someone who has perceived experience. Traditional knowledge is passed from one generation to another, and scientific knowledge is provided by way of the scientific method. Philosophy is a specific type of knowledge, not a source.

Nurses in an ICU noticed that their clients required fewer interventions for pain when the ICU was quiet. They then asked a researcher to design a study about the effects of noise on the pain levels of hospitalized clients. How does this demonstrate the ultimate goal of expanding the nursing body of knowledge? A. Nursing research involves clients in their care while hospitalized. B. Nursing research helps improve ways to promote and maintain health. C. Nursing research draws conclusions about the quality of client care. D. Nursing research explains ongoing medical studies to clients, and asks for participation.

B. Nursing research helps improve ways to promote and maintain health. RATIONALE Nursing research expands knowledge to learn improved ways to promote and maintain health. The other answers are incorrect because they are not the primary purpose of nursing research.

Which group of nurses would be least likely involved in direct research? Select all that apply. A. Clinical Nurse Specialists B. Novice nurses C. Student nurses D. Nurse Practitioners E. Nurses at the PhD level

B. Novice nurses C. Student nurses RATIONALE Direct research, except in the role of data collection or administration of medications and treatments as a protocol in a research project, usually does not involve student nurses and novice nurses. Master's prepared nurses such as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, as well as nurses at the PhD level, can be involved in direct research.

What was the focus of nursing research during the first half of the twentieth century,? A. Client care B. Nursing education C. Treatment issues D. Available nurse supply

B. Nursing education RATIONALE Between 1900 and 1940, research in nursing centered on education, methods of teaching, and methods of evaluating how nurses learned. During and after World War II, research interest turned to supply and demand for nurses, as the need for nurses to serve in both the military and civilian sectors increased. Client care and treatment issues are common areas of interest in current nursing research.

What type of research study would a hospital conduct to explore clients' and families' perceptions of receiving care? A. Quantitative B. Qualitative C. Ordinal D. Nonscientific

B. Qualitative RATIONALE Qualitative research is designed to seek the perceptions that the clients' and families' perceptions of receiving their care that the hospital desires. Quantitative researchers tend to use deductive reasoning, logic, and measurable attributes of human experience, whereas qualitative researchers tend to use dynamic, individual aspects of the human experience in a holistic approach. Ordinal and interval refer to types of variables associated with quantitative research analysis. Qualitative research is considered to be scientific even though it is not experimental.

What is the best explanation for the way evidence-based practice (EBP) has changed the way nursing care is delivered? A. Nurses now spend time looking up the best way to give nursing care. B. Nurses now have to take part in research. C. Nursing care now uses EBP as a means of ensuring quality care. D. Nursing care now incorporates research studies into client care.

D. Nursing care now uses EBP as a means of ensuring quality care. RATIONALE The facilitation of EBP involves identifying and evaluating current literature and research, as well as incorporating the findings into client care as a means of ensuring quality care. The other answers are incorrect; they were used even before EBP became a major force in the delivery of nursing care.

If a nurse describes a study of people and the nursing profession including studies of education, policy development, ethics, and nursing history, then what is the nurse defining? A. Adaptation theory B. Nursing theory C. Maslow's theory D. Nursing research

D. Nursing research RATIONALE Nursing research is a study of people and the nursing profession. Adaptation, nursing, and Maslow's theory may provide a theoretical foundation for the study, but the study itself is nursing research.

Which statement best explains the importance of theoretic frameworks? A. Theoretic frameworks guide physiologic nursing care. B. Theoretic frameworks guide psychosocial nursing care. C. Theoretic frameworks advance nursing knowledge and practice. D. Theoretic frameworks advance the ethical aspects of practice.

C. Theoretic frameworks advance nursing knowledge and practice. RATIONALE Theoretic frameworks are important to the advancement of nursing knowledge and professional practice. The other statements describe that theoretic frameworks guide specific types of nursing care, of which these are only two examples. Research is known to take many years to impact clinical practice, so the possibiliity of advancing the ethical aspects of nursing practice would be a very long term goal without a guarantee.

One of the primary reasons for conducting nursing research is to: A. quantify outcomes related to clients. B. determine outcomes for clients. C. generate knowledge to guide practice. D. prevent further disease and death.

C. generate knowledge to guide practice. RATIONALE One of the major reasons for conducting nursing research is to generate knowledge to guide practice. The other answers pertain to other aspects of nursing practice but not to nursing research.

A nurse is using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model PET as a clinical decision-making tool when delivering care to patients. Which steps reflect the intended use of this tool? Select all that apply. A. A nurse recruits an interprofessional team to develop and refine an EBP question. B. A nurse draws from personal experiences of being a patient to establish a therapeutic relationship with a patient. C. A nurse searches the Internet to find the latest treatments for type 2 diabetes. D. A nurse uses spiritual training to draw strength when counseling a patient who is in hospice for an inoperable brain tumor. E. A nurse questions the protocol for assessing postoperative patients in the ICU. F. A nursing student studies anatomy and physiology of the body systems to understand the disease states of assigned patients.

A. A nurse recruits an interprofessional team to develop and refine an EBP question. C. A nurse searches the Internet to find the latest treatments for type 2 diabetes. E. A nurse questions the protocol for assessing postoperative patients in the ICU.

Which theory emphasizes the relationships between the whole and the parts, and describes how parts function and behave? A. General systems theory B. Nursing theory C. Adaptation theory D. Developmental theory

A. General systems theory RATIONALE General systems theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then learn how the parts work together in "systems." Nursing theory attempts to describe, explain, predict, and control desired outcomes of nursing care practices. Adaptation theory defines adaptation as the adjustment of living matter to other living things and to environmental conditions. Developmental theory outlines the process of growth and development of humans as orderly and predictable.

Which types of knowledge are subjective? (Select all that apply.) A. Traditional knowledge B. Authoritative knowledge C. Scientific knowledge D. Evidence-based practice E. Scientific method

A. Traditional knowledge B. Authoritative knowledge RATIONALE Traditional and authoritative knowledge are practical but may be subjective. Scientific knowledge, the scientific method, and evidence based practice are all rooted in research and are unlikely to be subjective.

A novice nurse is sharing a newly published research article which outlines a different approach in preventing a wound infection after surgery with a colleague and states the nurse is going to try this new method. Which is the best response from the colleague? A. Wait until the method is analyzed to ensure it will be appropriate for their clients. B. Agree the method should be used immediately with their own clients. C. Help share the information with other staff members so all can use the new technique. D. Suggest they conduct their own research to determine if it will work with their clients.

A. Wait until the method is analyzed to ensure it will be appropriate for their clients. RATIONALE Before adopting any new practices presented in research or a study, nurses should take time to ensure it will be appropriate for their clients and suitable for their situation. The nurse should not assume that just because something has been published, it will be appropriate for their situation. It must be analyzed by their facility to ensure it has been properly analyzed and approved for use before implementing. There is no need for the nurses to conduct their own research before implementing the changes.

A nurse is preparing to conduct a research study and uses the PICO format to develop the foreground question which is: "In adults, does reducing salt intake, compared to no change in salt intake, lower blood pressure?" The nurse identifies the "P" as: A. adults. B. reducing salt intake. C. no change in salt intake. D. lower blood pressure.

A. adults. RATIONALE Using the PICO format, "P" refers to the population, which in this case is adults. "I" refers to the intervention, which is reducing salt intake. "C" refers to comparison, which is no change in salt intake. "O" refers to the outcome, which would be lower blood pressure.

A nurse researcher who plans to collect and analyze data for the purpose of improving clinical practice should select which method of research? A. Quantitative research B. Qualitative research C. Basic research D. Applied research

D. Applied research RATIONALE Applied research is used to improve clinical practice. Basic research is used to generate or refine theory. Qualitative research uses words or narrative for data rather than numbers. Quantitative research uses numerical values and statistical analysis of data.

A nurse subscribes to the Basic Needs theory. Which action by the nurse exemplifies this theory? A. Assisting the client in coping with a new diagnosis B. Assisting the client in recognizing signs of infection and changing dressings C. Assisting the client in finding a clean, well-lit residence D. Assisting the client to the bedside commode

D. Assisting the client to the bedside commode RATIONALE The Basic Needs theory subscribes to the concept that a nurse assists in performing activities that the client would perform if the client could. Therefore, assisting the client to the bedside commode is an example of an action that supports the Basic Needs theory. The other actions do not support this theory.

Information is collected for analysis in both quantitative and qualitative research. What is the information called? A. Surveys B. Answers C. Interviews D. Data

D. Data RATIONALE Data are information the researcher collects from subjects in the study. Data are collected through answers on instruments (such as surveys, rating scales, or biologic measurements) or verbal interviews.

A nurse working on a busy acute care unit is planning care for a group of clients. Which nursing action best exemplifies the primary focus of the nurse's role? A. The nurse adjusts the environment of the client to facilitate provision of care. B. The nurse concentrates on the health status of a client. C. The nurse focuses on the procedures being performed for clients that day. D. The nurse comforts a client who received bad results from a diagnostic test.

D. The nurse comforts a client who received bad results from a diagnostic test. RATIONALE The focus of nursing is promoting health and wellness in partnership with individuals, families, communities, and populations. With this in mind, the nurse would comfort the client who received bad results from a test. By focusing on this intervention of the four listed, the nurse is providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support for the client. The nurse would not concentrate on the health status of the client. The nurse would not focus on the procedures to be performed for clients that day. The nurse would not adjust the environment of the client to facilitate provision of care.

A student nurse asks an experienced nurse why it is necessary to change the patient's bed every day. The nurse answers: "I guess we have just always done it that way." This answer is an example of what type of knowledge? A. Instinctive knowledge B. Scientific knowledge C. Authoritative knowledge D. Traditional knowledge

D. Traditional knowledge RATIONALE Traditional knowledge is the part of nursing practice that passed down from generation to generation, often without reasearch data to support it.

When the nurse researcher informs the participant that the participant's identity will not be linked with the information that is collected, the researcher is ensuring the participant's: A. anonymity. B. protection from harm. C. ability to withdraw. D. confidentiality.

D. confidentiality. RATIONALE Confidentiality ensures that the participants' identities will not be linked with the information they provide and will not be publicly divulged. An informed consent in necessary to advise potential participants of possible harm associated with their participation in the research. Not linking the participant's identity to the data collected does not ensure the participant's anonymity (the researcher knows the participant's identity). Informed consent prior to the begin of research is the mechanism that grants the participant the right to withdraw at any time.

A community health nurse has been visiting a diabetic client whose morning fasting glucose levels are constantly elevated. Upon further assessment, the nurse determines that the client's spouse does not understand how to prepare meals following the prescribed diabetic diet. Using Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Theory, how can the nurse help meet the needs of this client? A. Arrange an evaluation appointment with a dietitian. B. Set up diabetic home meal delivery for the client. C. Assist the spouse with online grocery shopping. D. Authorize an unlicensed nursing personnel to cook for the client.

A. Arrange an evaluation appointment with a dietitian. RATIONALE According to Dorothea Orem's theory, the role of the nurse is to facilitate self-care to sustain life and health, to recover from disease or injury, or to cope with its effects. Arranging an evaluation appointment with a dietitian facilitates self-care because the nurse is providing a service that assists the client and spouse to progressively maximize their self-care potential. People learn behaviors that they perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health, and well-being. The other options are providing care for the client, not facilitating self-care.

A nursing theory differs from a theoretical framework in which way? A. Concepts and propositions are more specific B. Concepts are in a meaningful configuration C. Cause and effect of nursing actions are described D. Ideas about aggregates are described

A. Concepts and propositions are more specific RATIONALE The concepts and propositions of a theory are more specific than those of a theoretical framework. The other statements are not necessarily true of a theory.

Place the steps of evidence-based practice in the correct order. 1. Design a question related to a clinical area of interest. 2. Collect the most relevant and best evidence available. 3. Critically evaluate the collected evidence. 4. Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise, client preferences, and values as the decision is made to make a change. 5. Evaluate the decision or change.

A. Design a question related to a clinical area of interest. 2. Collect the most relevant and best evidence available. 3. Critically evaluate the collected evidence. 4. Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise, client preferences, and values as the decision is made to make a change. .5 Evaluate the decision or change. RATIONALE A clinical question should lead to finding out what is known about a topic. The information that was collected should be appraised for reliability and validity, as well as relevance to the topic. The evidence is then evaluated in relation to clinical expertise, client preference, and values. Whatever change or decision was made should be subsequently evaluated.

A public health nurse is working with a large group of clients who require a variety of patient care, health teaching, and health promotion. Using Virginia Henderson's Basic Needs Theory, how should the nurse proceed in order to provide a variety of medical, health teaching, and health promotion interventions? A. Determine general basic needs of the group and additional needs specific to each client. B. Identify unhealthy environmental factors that require modification to promote health. C. Assist individuals with health promotion in order to maximize their self-care potential. D. Plan changes to the external environment to promote a healthy lifestyle.

A. Determine general basic needs of the group and additional needs specific to each client. RATIONALE Virginia Henderson's Basic Needs Theory states that people have basic needs that are components of health. The significance and value of these needs are unique to each person. The ability to independently satisfy human needs composed of 14 basic physical, psychological, and social elements. Before the nurse can determine what care a person requires, he or she must determine the client's needs and problems. This requires the use of assessment skills and data collection, which include interviewing, observing, and examining the client. Changing unhealthy environmental factors and facilitating self-care are the focus of other theories, such as Florence Nightingale's focus on the client's environment and Dorthea Orem's Self-Care theory.

Which is a focus of medical research rather than nursing research? A. Drug metabolism B. Health appraisal C. Prevention of trauma D. Promotion of recovery

A. Drug metabolism RATIONALE Drug metabolism is an example of a focus of medical research. Nursing research is defined as a systematic inquiry into the problems encountered in nursing practice and into the modalities of client care such as health appraisal, prevention of trauma, promotion of recovery, and coordination of health care (Gortner, 1975).

A nurse researcher is examining the cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of tap water containing minimal amounts of bleach, and the incidence of cancer in rats. The research is taking place in a laboratory setting. What type of quantitative research is being used based upon this description? A. Experimental research B. Descriptive research C. Correlational research D. Quasi-experimental research

A. Experimental research RATIONALE Experimental research examines the cause-and-effect relationships between variables under highly controlled conditions. Experimental research studies often occur in a laboratory setting. Descriptive research explores and describes events in a real-life situation to identify relationships between, and among, events. Correlational research examines the type and degree of relationships between two or more variables. Quasi-experimental research examines the cause-and-effect relationships between selected variables and is typically situated outside of a laboratory setting.

Who is considered to be the first nursing theorist who conceptualized nursing in terms of manipulating the environment? A. Florence Nightingale B. Sister Callista Roy C. Dorothea Orem D. Lydia Hall

A. Florence Nightingale RATIONALE Florence Nightingale conceptualized the nurse's role as manipulating the environment to facilitate and encourage the reparative process. This would be accomplished by attending to ventilation, warmth, light, diet, cleanliness, and noise. Sister Callista Roy, CSJ is an American nun, nursing theorist, professor and author. She is known for creating the adaptation model of nursing. Dorothea Orem was a nursing theorist and creator of the self-care deficit nursing theory, also known as the Orem model of nursing. Lydia Hall was a pioneer in nursing autonomy and nurse-driven care.

A nurse wants to implement Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Theory in the acute care setting. Which nursing action demonstrates proper use and implementation of this theory? A. Providing a supportive environment B. Assessing for factors interfering with healing C. Creating a clean, quiet environment D. Restoring self-care capability

B. Assessing for factors interfering with healing RATIONALE According to Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Theory, nurses assess biologic, psychological, and social factors interfering with health; alter the stimuli causing the maladaptation; and evaluate the effectiveness of the action taken. The other actions do not demonstrate this theory.

A nurse observes that the past five clients referred from a community clinic have been treated for drug and/or alcohol overdose. Based on this information, the nurse assumes that the clinic specializes in the treatment of substance use. This is an example of what type of reasoning? A. Inductive reasoning B. Nursing process C. Deductive reasoning D. General systems theory

A. Inductive reasoning RATIONALE Inductive theory describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how the parts work together in "systems." It emphasizes relationships between the whole and its parts and describes how parts function and behave. Reasoning is when the research builds from a specific idea or action to conclusions about general ideas. Deductive reasoning is the opposite of inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is research where a general idea is the starting point, then considers specific actions or ideas. General systems theory is an example of an interdisciplinary base for a nursing theory. The nursing process is a five step systematic method used to direct the nurse and client as they work together to develop a plan of care.

A student nurse is having difficulties finding appropriate journal articles to prepare for a research project. Which individual will be bestfor the student to approach for assistance with this process? A. Librarian B. Classmate C .Professor D. Preceptor

A. Librarian RATIONALE A medical librarian is an essential resource in the process of combing through all the various journals and published information. A classmate, the professor, and a preceptor who is a nurse may also be questioned about the process; however, the librarian is the best option to start with.

A charge nurse meets with staff to outline a plan to provide transcultural nursing care for patients in their health care facility. Which theorist promoted this type of caring as the central theme of nursing care, knowledge, and practice? A. Madeline Leininger B. Jean Watson C. Dorothy E. Johnson D. Betty Newman

A. Madeline Leininger RATIONALE Madeline Leininger's theory provides the foundations of transcultural nursing care by making caring the central theme of nursing.

Which activity systematically inquires about the problems encountered in nursing practice and into the modalities of client care? A. Nursing research B. Managed care C. Outcome criteria D. Scientific inquiry

A. Nursing research RATIONALE Nursing research is defined as a systematic inquiry into the problems encountered in nursing practice and into the modalities of client care, such as support and comfort, prevention of trauma, promotion of recovery, health education, health appraisal, and coordination of health care. Managed care is an overarching aspect of nursing practice not directly involved with nursing practice or modalities of client care. Outcome criteria are a component of the nursing process which incorporates scientific inquiry into its structure.

A nurse is developing a foreground question for nursing research using the PICO model. Which component would be represented by the statement, "a 45-year-old male with coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation"? A. P B. I C. C D. O

A. P RATIONALE When using PICO, the "P" stands for the patient or problem and its delineation. The "I" signifies the intervention considered; "C" denotes comparison if appropriate, or it may be optional; and "O" represents the outcome of interest or relevant outcomes.

A student nurse interacting with patients on a cardiac unit recognizes the four concepts in nursing theory that determine nursing practice. Of these four, which is most important? A. Person B. Environment C. Health D. Nursing

A. Person RATIONALE Of the four concepts, the most important is the person. The focus of nursing, regardless of definition or theory, is the person.

A nurse researcher is studying female clients who have survived breast cancer. The nurse asks each client to describe her experience and then analyzes the data for the meaning of the experience within each person's own reality. This nurse has used what type of qualitative research method? A. Phenomenology B. Grounded theory C. Ethnography D. Historical

A. Phenomenology RATIONALE The purpose of phenomenology is to describe experiences as they are lived by the subjects being studied. Studying a group of female clients who have survived breast cancer is an example of phenomenology. The basis of grounded theory is the discovery of how people describe their own reality and how their beliefs are related to their actions in a social scene. Ethnography research is based on examining issues of a culture that are of interest to nursing. Historical research examines events of the past to increase understanding of the nursing profession today.

A nurse manager schedules a clinic for the staff to address common nursing interventions used in the facility and to explore how they can be performed more efficiently and effectively. The nurse manager's actions to change clinical practice are an example of a situation described by which nursing theory? A. Prescriptive theory B. Descriptive theory C. Developmental theory D. General systems theory

A. Prescriptive theory RATIONALE Prescriptive theories address nursing interventions and are designed to control, promote, and change clinical nursing practice.

A group of nurses is planning to investigate the effectiveness of turning immobilized stroke clients more frequently in order to prevent skin breakdown. The team has begun by formulating a PICO question. Which element will the "O" in the team's PICO question refer to? A. Preventing skin breakdown B. Clients who have experienced a stroke C. Turning clients more frequently D. The currently used turning schedule

A. Preventing skin breakdown RATIONALE Within the PICO question framework, the "O" denotes the outcome of interest. In this case, the desired outcome is the prevention of skin breakdown. Stroke clients are the "P," or population of interest, whereas turning clients more frequently is the "I," or intervention. The current turning schedule is the "C," referring to the comparison of interest.

A nurse is planning to participate in a research project and is looking for information about what is already known about the topic. The nurse is involved in which step of the research process? A. Scientific literature review B. Identification of theoretical framework C. . Problem area identification D. Problem statement formulation

A. Scientific literature review RATIONALE The nurse is engaged in a review of the scientific literature to find out what is already known about the subject and to prevent duplication of effort if the subject is already well studied. Identifying the problem area is completed first. This then guides the literature review. From there the nurse identifies the theoretical framework as a guide to identify and study systematically the logical relationships between variables. The problem statement identifies the direction the project will take.

A nurse is using the quantitative research process to study the cause of healthcare-associated infections (HIA) and how to prevent them. Which actions are examples of the components of this process? Select all that apply. A. The nurse collects data from subjects in the study. B. The nurse defines the purpose of the study after conclusions have been made. C. The nurse formulates a hypothesis and variables in the study. D. The nurse uses instruments to determine the variables in the study. E. The nurse uses grounded theory to discover the beliefs of the subjects. F. The nurse formulates an abstract to state the relationship between the variables.

A. The nurse collects data from subjects in the study. C. The nurse formulates a hypothesis and variables in the study. RATIONALE There are nine steps in the quantitative research process. First, the research problem must be stated. Next, the purpose of the study must be defined. After the purpose is defined, the literature review must be conducted. Next, the hypotheses and variables must be formulated. The research design is selected after the hypotheses and variables are formulated. The population and sample are selected next. Then, the data is collected. Next, the data is analyzed. Lastly, the findings and conclusions are communicated. The purpose of the study is defined after the research problem is stated, not after conclusions of the study have been made. Instruments are not used to determine the variables in the study. The nurse would not use grounded theory to discover the beliefs of the subjects. The nurse would not formulate an abstract to state the relationship between the variables. The nurse formulates an abstract to summarize the entire study. An abstract is found in the beginning of a research journal article.

A group of concepts and the relationships among them is what? A. Theory B. Evidence-based practice C. Deductive reasoning D. Inductive reasoning

A. Theory RATIONALE Theory is a group of concepts and the relationships among them. Evidence-based practice is clinical practice that is informed by the best and most current evidence available in the literature. Deductive reasoning provides a basis for theory development as one studies a general idea to more specific properties. Inductive reasoning is derived from consideration of specific properties to make conclusions about a general idea.

Which aspect of the nursing research process addresses a client's understanding of the potential risks and benefits of the study? A. Undergoing the informed consent process with the client B. Obtaining the client's signature on a permission document C. Meeting with the hospital's institutional review board (IRB) D. Giving the client the opportunity to ask questions about the study

A. Undergoing the informed consent process RATIONALE Informed consent is a process in which the details of the study and the client's rights are explained and discussed in detail. This goes beyond simply obtaining the client's signature or allowing the client to ask questions. Meeting with the IRB is a necessary step in the research process but does not directly affect the client's understanding of risks and benefits.

Evidence-based care emphasizes decision making based on the best available evidence and: A. use of outcome studies to guide decisions. B. evaluation by experts to direct care in specialty areas. C. care based on pathophysiologic factors. D. cost efficiency of treatment models.

A. use of outcome studies to guide decisions. RATIONALE Evidence-based care emphasizes decision making based on the best available evidence and the use of outcome studies to guide decisions. The other answers do not represent the primary emphasis of evidence-based care but represent other approaches (specialty or expert knowledge, traditional medical model, and economic concerns).

A nursing theorist studies health care systems in communities. Which statement accurately describes a characteristic of these systems? A. The system is an entity in itself and cannot communicate with, or react to, its environment. B. Boundaries separate health care systems both from each other and from the environment. C. The system is closed in that it does not allow energy, matter, or information to move between it and its boundaries. D. The system is independent of its subsystems in that a change in one element does not affect the whole.

B. Boundaries separate health care systems both from each other and from the environment. RATIONALE The nursing theorist is using the general systems theory to study health care systems in communities. The general systems theory emphasizes relationships between the whole and the parts and describes how parts function and behave. This concept can be used to describe different kinds of systems. Health care systems would fit into this category. None of the other characteristics would describe the general health care system found in communities.

A nurse develops the following foreground question using the PICO format in preparation for a research study: "In overweight clients, how do chromium supplements compared to no supplements help with weight loss?" Which part of the question reflects the intervention? A. Overweight clients B. Chromium supplements C. No supplements D. Weight loss

B. Chromium supplements RATIONALE In this question, the intervention (I) would be the use of chromium supplements. The population (P) would be overweight clients. The comparison (C) would be no supplements. The outcome (O) would be weight loss.

A group of objects with relationships is which? A. Theory B. Concept C. Deductive reasoning D. Inductive reasoning

B. Concept RATIONALE A concept is a group of abstract ideas or objects and their relationships to one another. Theory is a group of concepts and the relationships among them. Deductive reasoning provides a basis for theory development, as one studies a general idea to more specific properties. Inductive reasoning is derived from consideration of specific properties to make conclusions about a general idea.

An abstract idea or object that relates to other abstract ideas or objects is which? A. Theory B. Concept C. Deductive reasoning D. Inductive reasoning

B. Concept RATIONALE Concepts are abstract ideas or objects and their relationships to one another. Theory is a group of concepts and the relationships among them. Deductive reasoning provides a basis for theory development as one studies a general idea to more specific properties. Inductive reasoning is derived from consideration of specific properties to make conclusions about a general idea.

In selecting sources to include in a literature review for a nursing research project, which would be most helpful? A. New England Journal of Medicine B. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature C. Journal of Nursing Research D. American Journal of Nursing

B. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature RATIONALE Indexes such as the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, International Nursing Index, Index Medicus, Nursing Studies Index, MedLine, and Nursing Research Index are valuable in locating nursing-based literature and research studies. Such indexes would be more helpful than any individual journal.

A nurse studies the culture of Native Alaskans to determine how their diet affects their overall state of health. Which method of qualitative research is the nurse using? A. Historical B. Ethnography C. Grounded theory D. Phenomenology

B. Ethnography RATIONALE Ethnographic research was developed by the discipline of anthropology and is used to examine issues of culture of interest to nursing.

Which activity best helps the nurse apply theory to practice? A. Theory development B. Evidence-based research C. Client-focused care D. Case management

B. Evidence-based research RATIONALE Evidence-based research is translational research that forms the bridge between theory and practice. Theory development is how desirable change in society is best achieved. Client-focused care is care provided to a client that maintains the client as a functional component of healthcare team. Case management is when care is provided to an individual client by a healthcare provider.

In order for the nurse to be able to apply the knowledge that has been obtained in the formal education process, which theory would best break whole concepts into parts and then determine how the parts would work together as a whole? A. Adaptation theory B. General systems theory C. Developmental theory D. Theory of human needs

B. General systems theory RATIONALE Ludwig von Bertalanffy developed the theory for universal application which is a general systems theory. It describes how to break whole things into parts and then to learn how the parts work together in "systems". It emphasizes relationships between the whole and the parts and describes how parts function and behave. Adaptation theory defines adaption as the adjustment of living matter to other living things and to environmental conditions. Developmental theory outlines the process of growth and development of humans as orderly and predictable. Maslow developed the theory of human needs and the hierarchy of needs.

What is the central theme of Florence Nightingale's nursing theory? A. Humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment. B. Meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. C. Nursing is an art. D. Nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process.

B. Meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. RATIONALE Florence Nightingale believed in meeting the personal needs of the client within the environment. Hildegard Peplau believed nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal, and goal-oriented process. Nursing is an art is the theory of Ernestine Wiedenbach, while Betty Neuman's nursing theory states that humans are in a constant relationship with stressors in the environment.

A nurse is planning to conduct a nursing research study and is seeking federal funding. Which institution would be most helpful for the nurse to contact regarding acquiring funding? A. National Institutes of Health B. National Institute of Nursing Research C. Institute of Medicine D. ANA Cabinet on Nursing Research

B. National Institute of Nursing Research RATIONALE The nurse would most likely contact the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which was established under the National Institutes of Health in response to a 1983 study by the Institute of Medicine. The institute's purpose was to place nursing securely in the sphere of scientific investigation and to support research and training in client care, health promotion, and disease prevention, as well as the mitigation of effects of acute and chronic disabilities. The NINR has continued to fund and support nursing research and is instrumental in the support and dissemination of seminal work in nursing. The ANA Cabinet on Nursing Research was responsible for establishing priorities for nursing research.

A nurse is writing an article for a nursing journal describing a study of the emergency protocols in a hospital emergency department. Which statements accurately describe elements of this process? Select all that apply. A. The abstract summarizes the article and is found at the end of the article. B. The introduction reviews the literature and states the purpose of the article. C. The method section provides details of how the study was conducted. D. The results are often presented in words, charts, tables, or graphs. E. The discussion provides details about the subjects, design, and data collection. F. The references are listed at the beginning and include articles and books used.

B. The introduction reviews the literature and states the purpose of the article. C. The method section provides details of how the study was conducted. D. The results are often presented in words, charts, tables, or graphs.

Which theory describes how humans adjust to life with other living things and with the environment? A. Nursing theory B. Systems theory C. Adaptation theory D. Developmental theory

C. Adaptation theory RATIONALE The adaptation theory describes the adjustment of living things to other living things and the environment. The systems theory describes how parts interact together. The nursing theory describes, explains, predicts, and controls outcomes in nursing practice. The developmental theory describes the maturation of humans through stages.

Which represents the basic framework of the research process? A. Qualitative data B. Quantitative data C. Nursing process D. Nursing theory

C. Nursing process RATIONALE Much of what bedside nurses routinely do constitutes research. The nursing process (i.e., assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating) represents the basic framework of the research process. Nursing theory is defined as a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that project a tentative, purposeful, and systematic view of phenomena. Quantitative research is the systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques. Qualitative research is a scientific method of observation to gather non-numerical data.

A nurse is conducting quantitative research to examine the effects of following nursing protocols in the emergency department (ED) on patient outcomes. This is also known as what type of research? A. Descriptive B. Correlational C. Quasi-experimental D. Experimental

C. Quasi-experimental RATIONALE Quasi-experimental research is often conducted in clinical settings to examine hte effects of nursing interventions on patient outcomes.

From 1900 to 1940, research in nursing focused on: A. cost-effectiveness of nursing care. B. improving client care outcomes. C. nursing education and teaching. D. increasing workforce in the nursing profession.

C. nursing education and teaching. RATIONALE Between 1900 and 1940, research in nursing centered on education, methods of teaching, and methods of evaluating how nurses learned. Targeted research on increasing the nursing workforce has been important in recent decades. Cost-effectiveness of nursing care is an ongoing and ever-increasing concern in the climate of modern health care reform. Improving client outcomes is an ever-increasing research trend since the establishment of evidence-based practice and best practice care.

A nurse is formulating a clinical question in PICOT format. What does the letter P represent? A. Comparison to another similar protocol B. Clearly defined, focused literature review of procedures C. Specific identification of the purpose of the study D. Explicit descriptions of the population of interest

D. Explicit descriptions of the population of interest RATIONALE The P in the PICOT format represents an explicit description of the patient population of interest.

The nurse researcher would like to gather data about the attitudes of young adults on spirituality and health care. What is the most effective form of research on this topic? A. Quantitative research B. Methodologic survey C. Delphi study D. Qualitative research

D. Qualitative research RATIONALE Attitudes on spirituality and health care require the nurse to interview clients or informants to obtain qualitative research. Qualitative research involves the systematic collection and analysis of more subjective, narrative materials using procedures in which there tends to be minimal researcher-imposed control. Quantitative research is based more on collecting numerical data and would not be suitable for this type of study. Delphi is a type of quantitative research that would also not produce the desired data. Methodologic surveys focus on method and not on the subjects' experience.

The second step in implementation of evidence-based practice includes systematic review. To complete a systematic review of the literature, what must the nurse do? A. Ask a question about a clinical practice. B. Provide a statical analysis for studies. C. Recommend best practices for client care. D. Summarize findings from multiple studies that are related to a particular nursing practice.

D. Summarize findings from multiple studies that are related to a particular nursing practice. RATIONALE A systematic review suggests that the nurse has reviewed multiple studies regarding a particular nursing practice question or topic. Asking the question about a clinical practice would come in the first step. A recommendation for best practice comes after synthesizing all of the data collected by the systematic review. Meta-analysis is concerned with doing a statistical analysis across studies.