N 108 Hesi Nursing Research

Correct Answer B: Experience in caring for terminally ill clients is positively correlated with nurses' discussion of hospice care with terminally ill clients.

Explanation:

The study reports that certain experiences—including oncology experience, personal exposure to hospice care for a close friend or family member, and positive interactions with hospice providers—are positively associated with nurses discussing hospice with terminally ill patients. These factors suggest that exposure and experience influence communication about hospice, supporting option B.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Oncology nurses have significantly more positive attitudes toward hospice care for terminally ill clients than nurses without oncology experience.

This is too narrow. While oncology experience is one factor, the study identifies multiple characteristics associated with attitudes—not just oncology experience.

C. Past experience with hospice is the greatest determinant of a nurse's willingness to discuss hospice care with terminally ill clients.

The study does not rank the characteristics by strength of association, so claiming that one is the "greatest determinant" overstates the evidence.

D. Nurses who have had a positive experience with hospice have significantly more positive attitudes toward care of terminally ill clients.

This rephrasing focuses solely on attitudes, but the study links positive experiences to increased discussion of hospice, not just attitudes alone.

Correct Answer B: r = 0.63

Explanation:

The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) ranges from -1 to +1. The closer the absolute value of r is to 1, the stronger the linear relationship. The sign indicates the direction (positive or negative), but the strength is based on the absolute value.

Here are the absolute values of the options:

A. |−0.57| = 0.57

B. |0.63| = 0.63

C. |0.00| = 0.00

D. |−0.48| = 0.48

The strongest correlation is 0.63, which reflects a moderately strong positive linear relationship between the two variables.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. r = -0.57

Although this indicates a moderate negative relationship, it is weaker than 0.63 in absolute value.

C. r = 0.00

An r-value of 0 means no linear relationship exists between the two variables, making it the weakest option.

D. r = -0.48

This indicates a moderate negative correlation, but its absolute value is less than 0.63, so the relationship is weaker.

Correct Answer C: Biased findings

Explanation:

Biased findings occur when a researcher's personal beliefs, expectations, or preferences influence the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, leading to distorted or inaccurate results. In this case, the nurse-researcher intentionally recalculates the data to align the outcome with their own belief system, which compromises the integrity of the research. This practice introduces bias and undermines the objectivity and validity of the study.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Secondary analysis

Secondary analysis involves using existing data collected for another study or purpose to conduct a new analysis. It is a legitimate and ethical research method when done transparently, but it is not applicable here since the researcher is manipulating original results, not analyzing new data.

B. Non-parametric data analysis

Non-parametric analysis refers to statistical techniques used when data don’t meet the assumptions required for parametric tests, such as normal distribution. It is a valid statistical method, not related to altering data based on personal beliefs.

D. Theoretical differentiation

Theoretical differentiation involves clarifying and separating conceptual frameworks or theoretical constructs in a study. It has nothing to do with manipulating data or introducing bias into statistical computations.

Correct Answer D: Children who are exposed to classical music in utero through 2 years of age will score higher on IQ tests and will demonstrate more aptitude in mathematical ability on standardized achievement tests than children who were not exposed to classical music until after 2 years of age.

Explanation:

This hypothesis contains two dependent variables: 1) IQ scores and 2) aptitude in mathematical ability. Both are outcomes being measured in response to the independent variable, which is exposure to classical music. The study aims to assess whether early music exposure influences both cognitive and mathematical development.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Do mothers who stop breastfeeding their infants before the age of 3 months exhibit greater or lesser confidence in their caregiving abilities than mothers who breastfeed their babies for more than 3 months?

This question examines one dependent variable—caregiving confidence—based on different durations of breastfeeding.

B. How effective are public service announcements on television in reducing smoking among pregnant adolescents under the age of 16?

This option has a single dependent variable—smoking behavior among pregnant adolescents.

C. Are 2 different instructional methods (a live 30 minute tour of the cath lab suite with demonstration of equipment or the viewing of a 15 minute video that visually orients the client to the cath lab suite), equally effective in reducing client anxiety prior to cardiac catheterization?

The dependent variable here is anxiety levels prior to a cardiac catheterization, measured in response to two instructional methods.

Correct Answer A: To the extent that it is possible, informed consent is obtained from mentally disabled adult subjects in addition to a consent from their guardians.

Explanation:

Vulnerable populations, such as mentally disabled adults, require extra safeguards to protect their autonomy and rights in research. The correct answer reflects a heightened sensitivity because the researcher makes an effort to obtain assent (affirmative agreement) from the mentally disabled participants themselves, whenever possible, in addition to obtaining legally authorized consent from their guardians. This dual approach respects the dignity of the individual and complies with ethical standards.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. The researcher has petitioned the Institutional Review Board for an exempted review due to negligible risks posed to the adult subjects.

Requesting an exempted review does not demonstrate sensitivity to vulnerable subjects, especially if the study involves individuals who are mentally disabled, prisoners, or otherwise at risk. Vulnerable populations typically require full review, not exemption.

C. The wife of a subject who is visually impaired will receive and sign the written informed consent document because her spouse cannot see it.

This violates ethical standards. The subject—not a proxy—must give informed consent unless legally unable. For visually impaired individuals, the consent process must be adapted (e.g., using verbal explanations, Braille, or witnessed consent), not handed off to someone else to sign.

D. Prisoners selected as subjects are asked to sign two separate informed consent documents to show that their participation was voluntary.

Requiring two consents is not a standard or recognized practice. Voluntary participation is ensured through appropriate education, assurance of no coercion, and independent review, not through redundant paperwork.

Correct Answer D: How does group education compare to individual education in decreasing the HbA1C in adolescents recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Explanation:

This question is best structured for a PICO-based search (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). It clearly defines the population (adolescents with newly diagnosed type 2 DM), the intervention (group education), the comparison (individual education), and the outcome (change in HbA1C). This makes it the most effective question for locating evidence-based studies that measure the effectiveness of different educational methods.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Do clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus prefer individual education or group education to help them manage their HgbA1C?

This question focuses on preference, not effectiveness. It seeks subjective opinion rather than measurable outcomes like HbA1C reduction.

B. Should the nurse educator use individual education or group education to teach adolescents recently diagnosed with type 2 DM?

This is a broad decision-based question that lacks the specificity needed to drive a targeted literature search about effectiveness.

C. Among adolescents who were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, is individual education effective in improving HbA1C?

This only focuses on individual education and lacks a comparison to group education, making it less useful for comparing effectiveness between methods.

Correct Answer D: How does rocking-chair motion compare to standard care in treatment of adults with a postoperative ileus?

Explanation:

This question is structured in a way that directly supports an evidence-based literature search using the PICO format (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). It compares rocking-chair motion (intervention) to standard care (comparison) in treating postoperative ileus (condition) in adults (population), aiming to evaluate its effectiveness. This makes it the best choice for finding relevant research studies on the intervention’s outcomes.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. How do postoperative clients who have had abdominal surgery perceive rocking-chair motion after surgery?

This is a qualitative question focused on patient perceptions, not effectiveness. It wouldn't yield studies measuring clinical outcomes of rocking-chair use.

B. What are the most commonly used methods to decrease postoperative ileus in adults who have had abdominal surgery?

This is a broad descriptive question that looks at multiple interventions, not specifically at rocking-chair motion or its effectiveness compared to other methods.

C. Should rocking-chair motion be included in the care of clients who have a postoperative ileus following abdominal surgery?

This is a clinical decision-making question, but it lacks specificity for conducting a precise literature search, especially when compared to the structure and clarity of option D

Correct Answer C: The finding is significant (p = .01).

Explanation:

The p-value represents the probability that the observed difference (a 25% decrease in hospitalizations) occurred by chance alone. A 1% chance corresponds to a p-value of 0.01, which is statistically significant at the conventional level (p < 0.05). This indicates that the difference is unlikely due to random variation, and thus the finding is considered meaningful.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. The finding is significant (p = .001).

This is incorrect because a p-value of 0.001 would indicate a 0.1% probability the result occurred by chance. The scenario clearly states 1%, which equates to p = 0.01, not 0.001.

B. The findings are inconclusive.

This is incorrect because the result is statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.01. Inconclusive results would typically reflect no significance or a p-value above 0.05.

D. 99% of the time this finding would be accurate.

This misinterprets the meaning of the p-value. A p-value of 0.01 does not mean the result is accurate 99% of the time; it means there’s a 1% probability the result is due to chance — a subtle but important distinction.

Correct Answer C: Experimental

Explanation:

This study uses a true experimental design, which is characterized by three key features: random assignment, the presence of both a control group and an experimental group, and the use of a pretest-posttest structure to measure changes in the dependent variable (in this case, knowledge levels). The goal is to test the cause-and-effect relationship between the type of instruction and the participants’ knowledge.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Longitudinal

Longitudinal studies observe participants over an extended period of time to identify trends or changes. The given study does not mention a long-term follow-up; it only involves a pretest and posttest, making it not longitudinal.

B. Quasi-experimental

Quasi-experimental studies lack random assignment, which introduces potential bias. Since this study randomly assigns subjects to groups, it is not quasi-experimental.

D. Descriptive

Descriptive research only observes and describes characteristics or behaviors without manipulating variables or introducing interventions. This study includes an intervention and comparison, so it is not descriptive.