A graduate nurse is reviewing information about the NCLEX exam on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website. Which of the following information should the nurse identify about the NCLEX exam?

Choice A reason: This statement is true and should be included in the educational session. SDOH are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, such as income, education, housing, food security, social inclusion, and access to health services. SDOH can affect a person's physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as their risk of developing certain diseases.

Choice B reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the educational session. SDOH are not determined by an individual’s ethnic background, but rather by the broader social, economic, and political context in which they live. However, ethnic background can influence how a person experiences SDOH, as some ethnic groups may face discrimination, racism, and marginalization that affect their access to resources and opportunities.

Choice C reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the educational session. Identifying SDOH does not increase disparities in health care, but rather helps to address them. Disparities in health care are the differences in the quality and accessibility of health services among different populations⁵. Identifying SDOH can help to understand the root causes of these disparities, and to design interventions that target the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Choice D reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the educational session. SDOH do not include psychological factors, but rather affect them. Psychological factors are the individual characteristics and behaviors that influence a person's mental health and wellbeing, such as personality, coping skills, self-esteem, and stress management. SDOH can influence psychological factors by creating stressful or supportive environments, and by facilitating or hindering access to mental health services.

Choice A reason: Evidence based practice is the process that the nurse is planning to use. Evidence based practice is the integration of the best available evidence from research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to make decisions and provide quality care for the client.
Choice B reason: Standardization is not the process that the nurse is planning to use. Standardization is the process of establishing and implementing uniform criteria, methods, or procedures for a specific activity or task. Standardization can help improve efficiency, consistency, and safety, but it does not necessarily involve research or scientific data.
Choice C reason: Benchmarking is not the process that the nurse is planning to use. Benchmarking is the process of comparing the performance, outcomes, or practices of one's own organization or unit with those of other organizations or units that are recognized as leaders or exemplars in the same field. Benchmarking can help identify gaps, strengths, and areas for improvement, but it does not necessarily involve research or scientific data.
Choice D reason: Root cause analysis is not the process that the nurse is planning to use. Root cause analysis is the process of identifying and analyzing the underlying factors or causes that contribute to an adverse event or error. Root cause analysis can help prevent recurrence, enhance safety, and promote learning, but it does not necessarily involve research or scientific data.