Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a common nursing audit?

1. Structure audit

2. Process audit

3. Outcome audit

4. Evidence-based audit

The correct answer is: Evidence-based audit

The correct answer is identified as not being a common nursing audit because evidence-based audit focuses on the integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision-making process for patient care. While evidence-based practices are essential in nursing to promote high-quality care, they do not constitute a specific type of audit like the others listed. In contrast, structure audit pertains to the resources and organizational aspects of care; it evaluates the conditions under which care is provided, examining facilities, staff qualifications, and other structural components. Process audit evaluates the methods and procedures of care delivery, assessing whether nursing care is being carried out according to established guidelines and protocols. Outcome audit focuses on the end results of care, analyzing the patient outcomes from interventions to ensure that health goals are being met. Thus, evidence-based audit may inform practice and guide quality outcomes, but it does not represent a distinct category of nursing audit like structure, process, or outcome audits do.