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Research & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

7 cards from real CSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Research & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text

  1. A researcher conducts 20 hypothesis tests in a cardiac outcomes study and finds 2 significant results at p < 0.05. What statistical problem is most likely?

    Answer: Multiple comparisons increasing Type I error rate

    Performing multiple comparisons inflates the Type I error rate; by chance alone, 1 in 20 tests would be expected to reach p < 0.05.

  2. A cardiac rehabilitation program is evaluated using a pre-post design without a control group. What is the main limitation of this design?

    Answer: It cannot control for regression to the mean and natural disease progression

    Without a control group, improvements may reflect natural disease progression or regression to the mean rather than the intervention's effect.

  3. Which agency publishes clinical practice guidelines specifically graded with the GRADE system for cardiovascular care?

    Answer: World Health Organization (WHO) via GRADE Working Group integration

    The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system was developed by the GRADE Working Group and is used by WHO and many cardiovascular guideline bodies.

  4. A clinical trial enrolls 500 patients per arm to detect a 20% relative risk reduction in cardiac mortality with 80% power at α=0.05. If the actual effect is smaller than expected, what happens to power?

    Answer: Power decreases, increasing the likelihood of a Type II error

    If the true effect is smaller than the assumed effect size, the study is underpowered and more likely to miss a real difference (Type II error).

  5. In an EBP model, after a PICO question is formulated for anticoagulation in cancer-associated thrombosis, the next step is to:

    Answer: Search and acquire the best available evidence

    After formulating the PICO question (Ask), the next EBP step is to Acquire the best available evidence through a systematic literature search.

  6. A study reports a number needed to treat (NNT) of 50 for a new antiplatelet agent to prevent one MI over 5 years. How should this be interpreted?

    Answer: 50 patients must be treated for 5 years to prevent one MI

    NNT of 50 means 50 patients must receive the treatment for the specified duration to prevent one additional MI compared to control.

  7. In a blinded RCT of a cardiac device, blinding of outcome assessors is most critical to prevent which type of bias?

    Answer: Detection bias

    Detection bias occurs when outcome assessors are aware of treatment allocation and unconsciously adjudicate outcomes differently; blinding prevents this.