APEA Professional Role, Ethics, Health Policy and Evidence-Based Practice

Question 1

A patient with decision-making capacity declines a recommended colonoscopy after a full discussion of risks and benefits. Which ethical principle most directly guides the NP's response?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Autonomy is the right of a competent patient to make informed decisions about their own care, including refusing recommended treatment. The NP should document the discussion and keep the door open to future care.

Question 2

Which study design sits at the top of the evidence hierarchy for answering a treatment question?

Accepted Answer

Systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Answer

Systematic reviews of RCTs pool the highest-quality interventional evidence and reduce bias. Expert opinion and case reports are at the bottom of the hierarchy.

Question 3

A screening test has very high sensitivity and the result for a patient is negative. What can the NP conclude?

Accepted Answer

The disease is very likely absent (SnNout)

Answer

A highly sensitive test has few false negatives, so a negative result helps rule the disease out. This is the 'SnNout' mnemonic.

Question 4

Which element is essential for valid informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives to a patient with capacity, given voluntarily

Answer

Valid consent requires capacity, adequate disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives, comprehension, and voluntariness. A signature alone does not establish informed consent.

Question 5

In a study, a p-value of 0.03 with alpha set at 0.05 means what?

Accepted Answer

The result is statistically significant, and the null hypothesis is rejected

Answer

When p is less than alpha, the result is statistically significant and the null hypothesis is rejected. Rejecting a true null hypothesis is a Type I error. A p-value does not show clinical importance or the probability that the treatment works.

APEA - Advanced Practice Education Associates Practice Test

APEA - Advanced Practice Education Associates Practice Test

APEA Professional Role, Ethics, Health Policy and Evidence-Based Practice