Research & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real NP 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
A nurse practitioner is conducting a chart review study with de-identified data. Which statement about HIPAA compliance is most accurate?
Answer: De-identified data is not considered protected health information under HIPAA
Under HIPAA, properly de-identified data (18 identifiers removed under Safe Harbor or statistical expert method) is no longer considered PHI.
Which measure of central tendency is most appropriate when reporting outcomes from a skewed distribution such as length of hospital stay?
Answer: Median
The median is preferred for skewed distributions because it is not influenced by extreme outliers that distort the mean.
An NP is applying evidence from a study conducted in tertiary academic medical centers to patients in a rural primary care setting. Which concept is most relevant?
Answer: External validity or generalizability
External validity (generalizability) refers to how well study findings apply to populations, settings, and contexts beyond those studied.
In a Delphi method study, what is the primary purpose of multiple iterative rounds with expert panelists?
Answer: To achieve consensus among experts through structured feedback
The Delphi method uses sequential questionnaire rounds with anonymized group feedback to move experts toward consensus on complex issues.
A clinical trial is terminated early due to overwhelming evidence of benefit in the treatment group. This is an example of which concept?
Answer: Stopping for efficacy based on interim analysis
Interim analyses with pre-specified stopping rules allow early termination for efficacy when treatment benefit is established before the planned end of the study.
When a systematic review uses a PRISMA flow diagram, what information does it primarily convey?
Answer: The process of study identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion
The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow diagram transparently documents the study selection process from database searches to final inclusion.
An NP wants to implement evidence-based fall prevention protocols but faces resistance from nursing staff who believe current practice is adequate. According to Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory, these nurses are best classified as:
Answer: Laggards
Laggards are resistant to change, skeptical of innovation, and tend to adopt only when traditional alternatives are no longer available.