Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) Practice Exam

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In the PICOT format, what does the "C" stand for?

Constraints
Correlation
Comparison/control
Criteria

The correct answer is: Comparison/control

In the PICOT format, the "C" stands for Comparison or Control. This component is essential as it helps in identifying a baseline against which the intervention or exposure can be evaluated. In research questions, having a comparison group allows the researcher to determine the effectiveness of an intervention by measuring differences between those receiving the intervention and those who are not. For example, in a study examining the impact of a new medication on blood pressure, the comparison group might receive a placebo or the standard treatment. This comparison is critical for establishing causal relationships and understanding the true effects of the intervention being studied. Moreover, including a control or comparison group strengthens the validity of the findings by providing a clearer perspective on the results. The other terms do not accurately reflect the purpose of the "C" in the PICOT structure. Constraints, correlation, and criteria pertain to different concepts within research design and methodology but do not serve the same essential role as Comparison in hypothesis formulation and study design.