Evidence-Based Practice & Research Flashcards

Which phase of the evidence-based practice process involves evaluating whether the implemented change actually improved patient outcomes?

Answer: Evaluation

The evaluation phase measures whether the practice change achieved the desired patient outcomes and identifies areas for further improvement.

A CNL finds conflicting evidence about an intervention. What is the BEST course of action?

Answer: Weigh the quality and quantity of evidence on each side and incorporate clinical expertise and patient values

EBP integrates the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values — when evidence conflicts, judgment must weigh all three components.

Which statistic from a systematic review indicates the pooled effect size of an intervention across multiple studies?

Answer: Meta-analysis odds ratio or effect size

Meta-analysis calculates a pooled effect size (often an odds ratio or standardized mean difference) that synthesizes findings across multiple studies.

A CNL calculates that 20 patients must receive a new intervention for one patient to benefit. What does this represent?

Answer: Number needed to treat (NNT)

Number needed to treat (NNT) indicates how many patients must receive an intervention for one additional patient to benefit, translating statistical findings into clinical meaning.

Which term describes the degree to which study findings can be applied to other patient populations or clinical settings?

Answer: External validity (generalizability)

External validity refers to how well study results can be generalized beyond the specific study population and setting to real-world clinical practice.

A CNL is reviewing an RCT with a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?

Answer: There is a 3% probability that the observed results are due to chance alone

A p-value of 0.03 means there is a 3% probability the results occurred by chance, indicating statistical significance at the conventional p < 0.05 threshold.