Practice Test Geeks(CSR) Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition Practice Test
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Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

7 cards from real CSR 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 Methods & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text

  1. A renal dietitian conducts a literature search and finds 12 relevant RCTs on protein intake and GFR decline. To determine which studies to include in a systematic review, she uses predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This step is best described as:

    Answer: Study eligibility screening

    Study eligibility screening applies predefined criteria to determine which studies meet the requirements for inclusion in the systematic review.

  2. In evaluating a cohort study on dietary fiber and CKD progression, which of the following best represents an example of confounding?

    Answer: Participants who eat more fiber also exercise more, and exercise independently affects CKD progression

    Confounding occurs when a third variable (exercise) is associated with both the exposure (fiber) and outcome (CKD progression), distorting the true relationship.

  3. A nephrologist proposes publishing a case report on a CKD patient who achieved significant eGFR stabilization through a plant-based renal diet. What is the primary limitation of case reports in evidence-based renal nutrition practice?

    Answer: They lack a comparison group and cannot establish causality

    Case reports describe individual observations without controls, making it impossible to attribute outcomes to the intervention rather than chance or other factors.

  4. When calculating the sample size for a CKD dietary intervention study, a researcher sets alpha at 0.05 and power at 80%. What does the 80% power signify in this context?

    Answer: The study has an 80% probability of detecting a true effect if one exists

    Statistical power (1-β) is the probability of correctly rejecting the null hypothesis when the alternative hypothesis is true.

  5. A renal dietitian finds a study on calcium supplementation in dialysis patients that was funded by a supplement manufacturer and reported only positive outcomes. Which type of bias is most likely present?

    Answer: Reporting and publication bias

    Industry-funded studies and selective reporting of favorable outcomes are classic sources of reporting and publication bias, skewing the published literature.

  6. A dietitian wants to apply EBP to counsel a peritoneal dialysis patient on protein intake. After identifying a systematic review, appraising it, and finding strong evidence, the next step in the EBP process is:

    Answer: Apply the evidence in the context of clinical expertise and patient values

    EBP integrates the best available evidence with clinical expertise and individual patient preferences and values before application.

  7. In a renal nutrition RCT, 20% of participants in the intervention group withdrew due to dietary intolerance. This differential dropout could result in which type of bias?

    Answer: Attrition bias

    Attrition bias occurs when differential or systematic loss of participants from study groups distorts the comparison of outcomes.