N 108 Hesi Nursing Research

Correct Answer A: The range of motion following joint replacement surgery for clients with PCA-delivered narcotics was compared to those receiving intermittent IM narcotics.

Explanation:

Option A describes an experimental or quasi-experimental design where the researcher assigns or observes different treatments (PCA-delivered narcotics vs. intermittent IM narcotics) and measures the effect on an outcome (range of motion). This involves manipulation of the independent variable (type of pain management) and observation of the dependent variable (range of motion), which fits the definition of a study design that allows for variable manipulation.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B.The researcher randomly selected 200 medical records to identify the frequency of discharges to skilled nursing facilities following total hip replacement surgery.

This is a retrospective descriptive or observational study. There is no manipulation of variables—just analysis of existing records.

C. Clients with fibromyalgia received logbooks to record the actions they took over a period of two weeks to alleviate their symptoms of fatigue.

This is a descriptive or observational study based on self-report. The researcher does not manipulate any variables.

D. Nurse managers were interviewed about their levels of job satisfaction for the purpose of identifying themes of autonomy in their roles.

This describes a qualitative study, specifically a phenomenological or thematic analysis, where the researcher seeks to understand experiences. There is no manipulation of variables.

Correct Answer C: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nurses (JOGNN)

Explanation:

The Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nurses (JOGNN) is the most appropriate and targeted publication for disseminating nursing research related to neonatal care, especially interventions in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). JOGNN reaches an audience of maternal and neonatal nurses and healthcare professionals who are directly involved in the care of low birth weight infants and are most likely to implement and benefit from evidence-based practice changes based on the study's findings.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

While JAMA is a prestigious, widely read medical journal, it is primarily physician-focused and covers a broad range of medical topics. It is not the ideal platform for nursing-specific neonatal research aimed at nursing practice changes.

B. Parents of Multiples (POMs) National Association Newsletter

This newsletter is intended for a lay audience—primarily parents—and is not a scientific or peer-reviewed journal. It is not suitable for disseminating research intended to influence clinical best practices.

D. Journal of Nursing Administration (JONA)

JONA focuses on issues related to nursing leadership and healthcare administration. While it supports nursing scholarship, it is not the best fit for clinical neonatal research intended to influence bedside practice.

Correct Answer C: Provide a context for the research question that describes relevant theory and results of previous studies.

Explanation:

The purpose of a literature review is to establish the background and significance of a research study by summarizing existing knowledge, theories, and findings related to the research problem. It helps to place the new study within the context of what is already known, highlight gaps in the literature, and justify the research question or hypothesis.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Ensure that the study has not already been completed and that the findings will provide a unique contribution.

While this is one possible benefit of a literature review, it is not the primary purpose. The literature review is broader than just confirming uniqueness; it provides context, justification, and theoretical grounding for the study.

B. Describe how the study findings can be used in the future and identify the need for conducting the study.

This relates more to the discussion and implications section of a research report. The literature review focuses on what is already known, not projecting future use of results.

D. Identify the research design and explain the rationale for choosing the research methodology.

This is typically part of the methods section of a research study. The literature review may inform the choice of design, but its core purpose is to frame the research question through a synthesis of existing evidence and theory.

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 D: The researcher is 95% confident that the result did not happen randomly.

Explanation:

When a researcher reports that p < .05, it means there is less than a 5% probability that the observed result occurred by random chance alone. In other words, the researcher is at least 95% confident that the result is statistically significant and reflects a true effect or relationship, not a random occurrence. This level of significance is the most commonly accepted threshold in nursing and medical research.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Only 5 out of 100 nursing research studies would report this result as significant.

This statement misinterprets the meaning of p-value. The p-value relates to the probability of a result occurring in one particular study, not across multiple studies. It does not speak to how many other studies will report similar findings.

B. There is a 1-in-5 chance of the result occurring again by chance alone.

This option incorrectly reverses the probability. A p-value of .05 indicates a 1-in-20 (not 1-in-5) chance of a result occurring by chance. Also, the p-value does not predict the chance of replication but rather evaluates the likelihood that the current results are due to chance.

C. The result is not significant for most nursing research, which requires more rigor.

This is incorrect. A p-value of less than .05 is widely accepted in nursing and most other health-related disciplines as statistically significant. While more stringent thresholds (like p < .01) are sometimes used, p < .05 is generally adequate.

Correct Answer D: The subject's history during the three months of the study

Explanation:

The history threat to internal validity refers to external events or experiences that occur during the course of the study which may influence the outcomes. In this case, over the three-month period, subjects might have received additional education, encountered complications, or had personal experiences affecting their insulin knowledge—independent of the teaching strategies being tested. These events can confound the results, making it unclear whether changes in test scores are due to the intervention or other experiences.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. The possibility that the results cannot be replicated

This relates to external validity (generalizability and reproducibility), not internal validity.

B. How long the subjects had been diagnosed with diabetes

The study specifies that clients were recently diagnosed, suggesting this variable was controlled. If not, it would be a selection threat but not the main threat described here.

C. The sampling method used to select subjects for the groups

Random assignment was used, which minimizes selection bias and strengthens internal validity. Therefore, this is not the primary concern.

Correct Answer B: Phenomenological research.

Explanation:

Phenomenological research is the most appropriate method for exploring lived experiences and emotions, such as sadness, from the perspective of those experiencing them. This qualitative approach seeks to understand how individuals make sense of their emotional and personal experiences. In the context of hospice care, phenomenological research helps nurses gain deeper insight into how sadness affects clients holistically — emotionally, spiritually, and psychosocially — which can inform more compassionate and individualized care.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Ethnographic research

Ethnographic research studies the cultural behaviors and beliefs of a group over time, typically through immersion in the group’s environment. While useful for understanding community or cultural dynamics, it is not focused on individual emotional experiences like sadness.

C. Experimental research

Experimental research is used to determine cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables in controlled settings. It is quantitative in nature and not appropriate for exploring subjective human emotions like sadness.

D. Correlational research

Correlational research examines the statistical relationship between two or more variables but does not explain personal experiences or the meaning behind emotions. It is also quantitative and lacks the depth required to understand how sadness is lived or perceived by hospice clients.

Correct Answer C: Readmission rates

Explanation:

The dependent variable is the outcome that is being measured or affected in a study. In this case, the title indicates the study is examining the effect of family members’ support on readmission rates. Therefore, readmission rates are what the researchers are measuring as a result of the level of support provided by family members.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Patients in program

This describes the population being studied, not the variable being measured. The patients are the subjects, not the dependent variable.

B. Family members' support

This is the independent variable—the factor being manipulated or studied to see its effect on another variable (readmission rates).

D. Substance abuse program

This is the setting or context of the study, not a variable being measured or manipulated. It provides background but is not a dependent variable.

Correct Answer B: A cross-sectional design

Explanation:

A cross-sectional design is the most appropriate for describing the characteristics and attitudes of a specific population—such as nurses—at a single point in time. It allows researchers to gather data on variables like demographics, beliefs, and attitudes efficiently without needing long-term follow-up. Since the research question is descriptive and does not involve interventions or changes over time, a cross-sectional study fits best.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. A longitudinal study

This approach involves collecting data over an extended period to observe changes or trends. It is unnecessary when the goal is to describe current attitudes and characteristics, not how they evolve.

C. A retrospective design

Retrospective studies analyze past events or data, which is not suitable for assessing current attitudes or personal characteristics unless you're examining historical changes.

D. An experimental design

Experimental designs involve manipulating variables to observe effects, which is not appropriate here. The research question is descriptive, not testing a hypothesis or intervention.