A researcher is applying for institutional review board (IRB) approval, and the form specifies that the researcher indicate the probable level of risk

Question

The research creates situations in which the RN research subjects are placed in unusual code-like situations in which they do not know what action to take, and actors play the parts of other healthcare providers. The RN subjects are then asked to describe their feelings and their levels of confidence as they go through 15 scenarios. What level of risk does this study pose?
a. No anticipated effects
b. Temporary discomfort
c. Unusual discomfort
d. Risk of permanent harm

Answer 1

ANS: B
Studies that cause temporary discomfort are described as minimal-risk studies, in which the discomfort encountered is similar to what the subject would experience in his or her daily life and ceases with the termination of the study. Many nursing studies require the subjects to complete questionnaires or participate in interviews, which usually involve minimal risk. The physical discomforts might be fatigue, headache, or muscle tension. The emotional and social risks might entail the anxiety or embarrassment associated with responding to certain questions. The economic risks might consist of the time spent participating in the study or travel costs to the study site. Participation in many nursing studies is considered a mere inconvenience for the subject, with no foreseeable risks of harm. Most clinical nursing studies examining the impact of a treatment involve minimal risk.