Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Evidence-Based Practice and Research 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a systematic review in evidence-based practice?
- To generate new research hypotheses
- To synthesize evidence from multiple studies on a specific clinical question (Correct answer)
- To replace clinical practice guidelines
- To document consensus expert opinion
Correct answer: To synthesize evidence from multiple studies on a specific clinical question
Systematic reviews use rigorous, pre-specified methods to identify, appraise, and synthesize all available evidence on a defined clinical question.
Question 2: A CNS uses the PICO format to frame a clinical question. What does the C represent?
- Control group only
- Comparison intervention or control condition (Correct answer)
- Clinical context
- Confounding variable
Correct answer: Comparison intervention or control condition
In the PICO framework, C stands for Comparison — the alternative intervention or control condition being evaluated against the treatment.
Question 3: Which type of bias occurs when patients who drop out of a study differ systematically from those who complete it?
- Selection bias
- Attrition bias (Correct answer)
- Detection bias
- Reporting bias
Correct answer: Attrition bias
Attrition bias occurs when participants who leave a study early are systematically different from completers, threatening internal validity.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) in research?
- To fund clinical research studies
- To protect human subjects and ensure ethical research conduct (Correct answer)
- To publish and disseminate research findings
- To manage clinical trial budgets and timelines
Correct answer: To protect human subjects and ensure ethical research conduct
The IRB reviews research protocols to ensure participant protection, informed consent, and adherence to ethical research guidelines.
Question 5: Which measure of agreement is most appropriate for evaluating inter-rater reliability with categorical data?
- Pearson correlation coefficient
- Cohen's Kappa (Correct answer)
- Intraclass correlation coefficient
- Cronbach's alpha
Correct answer: Cohen's Kappa
Cohen's Kappa adjusts for chance agreement and provides a more accurate measure of inter-rater reliability for categorical variables.
Question 6: In a clinical trial, which group receives the active treatment being tested?
- Control group
- Intervention group (Correct answer)
- Placebo group
- Cohort group
Correct answer: Intervention group
The intervention group in a clinical trial receives the active treatment or experimental therapy being evaluated for effectiveness.
Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Evidence-Based Practice and Research 2
What is the primary purpose of a systematic review in evidence-based practice?