EDPNA Certification Practice Examination -
Emergency Disaster Preparedness Nurse
Advocate 2026/2027 Standards | Disaster
Nursing Competency
100 High-Acuity Scenario Items | Single-Best Answer Key & Principle-Based Rationales
DOMAIN 1 – Disaster Preparedness & Mitigation (20 items)
Q1
A regional hospital coalition is updating its Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA). Data
show a chlorine rail-yard is 5 miles west of a 200-bed hospital. Historical spill rate is
1/30 years; modeling predicts 400 casualties, 80 requiring ICU, regional ICU beds 20.
Which HVA component should MOST elevate this hazard’s priority ranking?
A. Probability of occurrence within 5 years
B. Community historical experience
C. Potential impact on community infrastructure & health-system surge capacity
,D. Availability of federal haz-mat grants
Correct: C
Rationale: HVA prioritizes = impact × probability. Impact includes surge demand vs.
available resources (80 ICU need vs. 20 beds). Probability (A) is low; grants (D) are
mitigation, not risk.
Q2
An LTC facility drafts an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). Which element is REQUIRED
for Joint Commission compliance?
A. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with at least two sister facilities
B. A Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) summary that drove the plan
C. Pre-approved media statements
D. 96-hour independent utility operation guarantee
Correct: B
Rationale: Joint Commission EMs.01.01.01 requires EOP based on HVA. MOUs (A) are
encouraged, not mandated; media (C) is communication annex; 96 h (D) is resource, not
driver.
Q3
,A county health department prepares a CHEMPACK contingency. Which preparedness
capability does this BEST represent?
A. Community resilience through public education
B. Medical countermeasure dispensing
C. Mass care shelter operations
D. Fatality management
Correct: B
Rationale: CHEMPACK = push-pack of nerve-agent antidotes (atropine/2-PAM) for rapid
dispensing—core medical countermeasure (MCM) function.
Q4
A hospital’s emergency manager drafts a resource management plan. Which metric
BEST measures surge capacity for ventilators?
A. Total number owned by biomedical engineering
B. Surge capacity = (immediately available + quickly mobilizable) / baseline ICU census
C. Number on patient floors
D. Number purchased last fiscal year
, Correct: B
Rationale: FEMA defines surge capacity as % increase above baseline that can be
deployed within 4 h. Includes stored, rental, and anesthesia machines.
Q5
A city plans a full-scale earthquake exercise. Which objective is MOST appropriate for
the evaluation phase?
A. Demonstrate 100 % staff attendance
B. Activate the EOC within 15 minutes of alert and complete ICS Form 201 within 30
minutes
C. Zero casualties in the drill
D. Spend entire allocated grant budget
Correct: B
Rationale: SMART objectives are measurable & process-focused. Activation time &
documentation are evaluatable capabilities per HSEEP.
Q6
An acute-care facility completes a tabletop drill on pediatric surge. Which improvement
recommendation BEST aligns to HSEEP corrective-actions principles?
Emergency Disaster Preparedness Nurse
Advocate 2026/2027 Standards | Disaster
Nursing Competency
100 High-Acuity Scenario Items | Single-Best Answer Key & Principle-Based Rationales
DOMAIN 1 – Disaster Preparedness & Mitigation (20 items)
Q1
A regional hospital coalition is updating its Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA). Data
show a chlorine rail-yard is 5 miles west of a 200-bed hospital. Historical spill rate is
1/30 years; modeling predicts 400 casualties, 80 requiring ICU, regional ICU beds 20.
Which HVA component should MOST elevate this hazard’s priority ranking?
A. Probability of occurrence within 5 years
B. Community historical experience
C. Potential impact on community infrastructure & health-system surge capacity
,D. Availability of federal haz-mat grants
Correct: C
Rationale: HVA prioritizes = impact × probability. Impact includes surge demand vs.
available resources (80 ICU need vs. 20 beds). Probability (A) is low; grants (D) are
mitigation, not risk.
Q2
An LTC facility drafts an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). Which element is REQUIRED
for Joint Commission compliance?
A. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with at least two sister facilities
B. A Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) summary that drove the plan
C. Pre-approved media statements
D. 96-hour independent utility operation guarantee
Correct: B
Rationale: Joint Commission EMs.01.01.01 requires EOP based on HVA. MOUs (A) are
encouraged, not mandated; media (C) is communication annex; 96 h (D) is resource, not
driver.
Q3
,A county health department prepares a CHEMPACK contingency. Which preparedness
capability does this BEST represent?
A. Community resilience through public education
B. Medical countermeasure dispensing
C. Mass care shelter operations
D. Fatality management
Correct: B
Rationale: CHEMPACK = push-pack of nerve-agent antidotes (atropine/2-PAM) for rapid
dispensing—core medical countermeasure (MCM) function.
Q4
A hospital’s emergency manager drafts a resource management plan. Which metric
BEST measures surge capacity for ventilators?
A. Total number owned by biomedical engineering
B. Surge capacity = (immediately available + quickly mobilizable) / baseline ICU census
C. Number on patient floors
D. Number purchased last fiscal year
, Correct: B
Rationale: FEMA defines surge capacity as % increase above baseline that can be
deployed within 4 h. Includes stored, rental, and anesthesia machines.
Q5
A city plans a full-scale earthquake exercise. Which objective is MOST appropriate for
the evaluation phase?
A. Demonstrate 100 % staff attendance
B. Activate the EOC within 15 minutes of alert and complete ICS Form 201 within 30
minutes
C. Zero casualties in the drill
D. Spend entire allocated grant budget
Correct: B
Rationale: SMART objectives are measurable & process-focused. Activation time &
documentation are evaluatable capabilities per HSEEP.
Q6
An acute-care facility completes a tabletop drill on pediatric surge. Which improvement
recommendation BEST aligns to HSEEP corrective-actions principles?
