RN Nursing · Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment · Practice question
What is the best description of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
-
Using traditional methods of care
-
Relying solely on clinical experience
-
✓
Integrating best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
-
Following hospital policy without question
Answer & explanation
Correct: Integrating best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Evidence-based practice is formally defined as the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence with the clinician's individual clinical expertise and the patient's own values and preferences when making clinical decisions. This three-part definition, popularized by David Sackett and colleagues, is widely accepted across nursing and medicine. Relying solely on clinical experience ignores the research component and can perpetuate outdated or ineffective practices. Using traditional methods of care is problematic for the same reason — tradition alone does not guarantee safety or effectiveness; some historical practices have been shown by research to cause harm. Following hospital policy without question disregards the obligation to critically appraise evidence and advocate for the patient. The integration described in the correct option — best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences — captures all three pillars of EBP and reflects the nurse's role as a critical consumer of research who applies findings within a patient-centered framework. Understanding this definition is foundational for NCLEX-RN questions related to professional nursing practice and quality improvement.
Study note
Clinical Judgment and Priority Setting: ABCs, Maslow, and Safety
A focused review of the three core priority-setting frameworks nurses use on the NCLEX and in practice: ABCs, Maslow's hierarchy, and safety/risk reduction. Includes rules for expected vs. unexpected findings, first vs. next actions, and common test traps.
Read the study note →Practise Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment questions
Work through full question sets with instant rationales, timed exams, and progress tracking.
Start practising freeRelated practice questions
- Which client should the nurse perform a focused assessment on first?
- You are preparing to care for a patient. Which skill would you use as the foundation for all aspects of the patient's care?
- A nurse is caring for a client who is nauseated and unable to eat after taking an antibiotic. Identify the steps the nurse should take to address the client's nausea. (Use the ▲▼ arrows to put the steps in order, placing them in order of performance. Use all steps.)
- Which client should the nurse perform a focused assessment on first?