NCCPA Research and Advocacy 3

Question 1

A meta-analysis pools results from multiple studies primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Increase statistical power and precision of effect estimates

Answer

Meta-analysis combines data across studies to increase sample size, improving statistical power and the precision of effect estimates.

Question 2

Which ethical principle requires that research participants receive complete information about a study before consenting?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy (informed consent)

Answer

Autonomy is protected through informed consent, ensuring participants understand risks, benefits, and procedures before agreeing to participate.

Question 3

A PA advocates for patients by writing a letter to their congressional representative about access to care. This is best categorized as:

Accepted Answer

Civic/legislative advocacy

Answer

Contacting elected officials about healthcare access represents civic and legislative advocacy aimed at influencing policy.

Question 4

Internal validity in a clinical trial is most threatened by:

Accepted Answer

Systematic bias such as selection bias or confounding

Answer

Internal validity is threatened by systematic biases — such as selection bias or confounding — that distort the true relationship between variables.

Question 5

The 'number needed to treat' (NNT) is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

1 divided by absolute risk reduction

Answer

NNT = 1 / Absolute Risk Reduction, representing how many patients must be treated for one additional patient to benefit.

(NCCPA) National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Practice Test