NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality CPHQ Exam Practice Test

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Total 603 questions
Question 1

A rapid cycle model for improvement derived from the Deming model encompassing the feedback loop of planning, implementing, and evaluating a rapid test of change would best be described by which of the following acronyms?



Answer : D

Detailed Explanation:

The PDSA(Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle, derived from the Deming model, is a structured methodology for testing small-scale changes in a rapid cycle to identify improvements.

Option D: PDSA

PDSA involves planning the change, implementing it, studying the results, and acting based on findings. This method supports iterative improvements through continuous feedback.

Option A: FMEA

FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is a risk assessment tool, not a rapid cycle improvement model.

Option B: FOCUS

FOCUS is a methodology used with PDCA but does not alone represent a cycle model for rapid change.

Option C: DMAIC

DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) is a Six Sigma methodology, suited for complex problem-solving but not specifically for rapid cycle improvement.


PDSA is widely recognized in quality improvement literature as a rapid cycle model for testing and implementing small changes, as outlined in CPHQ study materials.

Question 2

Reviewing organizational priorities, addressing regulatory requirements, and identifying goals for the next year are important components in the development of which of the following?



Answer : D


Question 3

The chart above is used by a team to document process improvement results following an intervention that was implemented during the 20th week. Based on this chart, the team can conclude:



Answer : B

Understanding the Control Chart ComponentsThis control chart shows the median delay over time (by week), with control limits (UCL - Upper Control Limit, LCL - Lower Control Limit) and a center line (CL) indicating the process average before the intervention. Control charts like this one are used to determine whether an intervention has led to a significant change in process performance.

Analyzing the Data Before and After the Intervention

From weeks 1 to 19, before theintervention, the process appears to fluctuate around the control limits, with several points near the upper control limit, indicating higher variation and a generally stable process around a higher median delay.

After week 20, following the intervention, the data points show a clear shift downward, consistently staying below the previous control line (CL). The process median delay has notably reduced, and all data points fall within a new, lower range.

Conclusion Based on the Control Chart

The consistent reduction in median delay and the clustering of data points below the previous center line indicate a shift in performance rather than mere random variation. This type of change, sustained over multiple weeks, strongly suggests that the intervention had a substantial impact on reducing the delay.

While there may also be a decrease in variation, the primary visible effect is a shift in performance toward lower median delay values.

Rationale for Selecting Answer BThe correct answer is B. The intervention resulted in a shift in performance, as the chart shows a distinct change in the process level post-intervention, indicating an improvement.


NAHQ 'Quality Improvement in Healthcare: Statistical Process Control'

'Interpreting Control Charts forProcess Improvement' (NAHQ, 2020)

Question 4

For which incident would a process improvement manager be required to perform a root cause analysis (RCA)?



Answer : D

A root cause analysis (RCA) is required when a serious incident occurs, such as a 'never event' or a sentinel event, which includes a procedure performed on the wrong knee. This type of incident isconsidered a significant error that could cause severe harm to the patient and is a clear indicator of a breakdown in the system that requires thorough investigation through an RCA to prevent recurrence.

Incorrect critical care patient transported to radiology (A): While concerning, this may not reach the threshold for a required RCA unless it led to significant harm.

Admitting a visitor who fell on hospital grounds (B): This incident may require investigation but typically would not trigger an RCA unless the fall resulted in severe injury.

Wrong prescription given to a discharged patient with diabetes (C): This is serious but does not usually require an RCA unless it led to severe consequences.

Reference

NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Incident Reporting andRoot Cause Analysis

NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: Conducting Root Cause Analysis

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Question 5

Which of the following would best facilitate the development of priorities?



Answer : A

The development of priorities in any organization, including healthcare, is best facilitated by comparing target versus actual performance12.This approach allows organizations to identify areas where performance is not meeting expectations and prioritize efforts to address these gaps12.This process involves setting clear goals, establishing benchmarks for performance, and regularly reviewing progress3.When actual performance falls short of the target, this indicates a priority area for improvement12.

The other options, while important in the overall management and improvement of performance, do not directly facilitate the development of priorities12.Creating a plan to evaluate performance (Option B) is a part of the performance management process, but it does not in itself help to establish priorities12.Surveying staff for potential priorities (Option C) can provide valuable insights, but it is the comparison of actual performance against targets that will objectively identify priority areas12.Selecting valid and reliable metrics for the balanced scorecard (Option D) is crucial for measuring performance, but again, it is the comparison of these metrics against targets that will highlight the areas that need to be prioritized12.


Question 6

A home health agency has purchased an automated phone notification system to alert nurses that a patient has been discharged from a healthcare facility. The healthcare quality professional should complete which process as a next step?



Answer : A

Implementing a new automated notification system introduces potential risks that must be assessed proactively to ensure reliable performance and patient safety.

Option A (Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)): This is the correct answer. The NAHQ CPHQ study guide states, ''FMEA is a proactive risk assessment tool used before implementing new systems to identify potential failures and mitigate risks'' (Domain 4). For the notification system, FMEA could assess risks like missed alerts or incorrect routing.

Option B (Supplier-inputs-process-outputs-customers (SIPOC)): SIPOC maps processes, useful for understanding workflows but not for risk assessment.

Option C (Coordination of benefits (COB)): COB is a billing process, irrelevant to system implementation.

Option D (Root cause analysis (RCA)): RCA is reactive, used after incidents, not before system deployment.

CPHQ Objective Reference: Domain 4: Performance and Process Improvement, Objective 4.4, ''Use proactive tools for new systems,'' emphasizes FMEA. The NAHQ study guide notes, ''FMEA ensures safe implementation of new technologies'' (Domain 4).

Rationale: FMEA proactively identifies risks in the notification system, aligning with CPHQ's improvement principles.


Question 7

A physician challenges the number of healthcare-acquired infections reported for orthopedic surgery. Which of the following will be most effective in demonstrating the validity of the information?



Answer : B


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Total 603 questions