SMQT (SURVEYOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TEST) LONG-
TERM CARE SURVEYOR CERTIFICATION EXAM:
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTION BANK COVERING FEDERAL
REGULATORY STANDARDS, FACILITY TASK PROTOCOLS,
SAMPLE SELECTION CRITERIA, RESIDENT INTERVIEW
PROCEDURES, AND DEFICIENCY IDENTIFICATION
1. A resident who was not originally part of the sample is added due
to an offsite concern. According to the guidance, what is the primary
focus of the investigation for this resident?
A) A full comprehensive review of all care areas
B) The specific allegation that prompted the addition
C) Only the resident's medication regimen
D) A review of the resident's baseline care plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The guidance clearly states that when more than 5
complaint/FRI residents are added to the sample, you will only
investigate for the allegation. This focuses the investigation on the
specific concern that brought the resident to the surveyor's attention.
2. What is the correct course of action if a resident halts the interview
midway through?
A) Immediately mark the resident as complete and move to the next
resident
B) Ask the resident to reschedule for the next day
,C) Attempt to complete later; if you can't, leave the rest blank, complete
RO/RR then mark the resident as complete
D) Terminate the entire survey process for that day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The protocol directs that the surveyor should attempt to
complete the interview later. If completion is not possible, the
remaining sections should be left blank, the RO/RR sections completed,
and the resident marked as complete.
3. Which of the following best describes the definition of Jeopardy in a
long-term care survey context?
A) A provider's failure to submit required documentation on time
B) A provider's noncompliance has caused, or is likely to cause, serious
injury, harm, impairment, or death
C) A minor deficiency that could potentially lead to a resident complaint
D) A situation where a resident refuses care and treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The definition of Jeopardy is specifically tied to
noncompliance that has resulted in or is highly likely to result in serious
consequences such as injury, harm, impairment, or death.
4. What is the primary reference for determining the minimum
number of residents to include in the survey sample?
A) The previous survey report
B) The facility's current census
C) The sample size grid and system calculated minimum
D) The number of complaints filed against the facility
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sample size is determined by using the sample size grid
and the minimum calculated by the system to ensure a representative
and sufficient sample for the survey.
5. Can the number of residents selected for the survey sample exceed
the number indicated on the sample size grid?
A) No, the grid provides a strict upper limit
B) Yes
C) Only if approved by the State Agency Director
D) Only if there are more than 10 complaint residents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The guidance explicitly states that the sample size can exceed
the grid, allowing for flexibility to include additional residents based on
concerns, complaints, or other factors.
6. How many residents does the system typically select for the
unnecessary medication review?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 10
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The guidance specifies that the system selects five residents
for the unnecessary medication review, which is a targeted clinical
review area.
, 7. When investigating abuse based on a history of abuse noted on the
offsite prep screen, what should the surveyor request from the
facility?
A) A list of all staff members since the last survey
B) All allegations of abuse since the last survey
C) The facility's abuse prevention policy
D) The personnel files of all current employees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To conduct a thorough investigation, the surveyor must ask
the facility for all allegations of abuse that have occurred since the last
survey to identify patterns or ongoing issues.
8. If the required sample size is not met, which of the following is the
LEAST important consideration when adding residents?
A) Residents with the most concerns
B) Residents with concerns related to QOL and RR
C) Residents with the shortest length of stay
D) Residents selected for unnecessary medication review
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The guidance lists several factors to consider, including
residents with concerns, QOL/RR issues, unnecessary medication review
selections, prior survey and complaint results, and underrepresented
areas. Length of stay is not mentioned as a primary consideration.
9. A resident is added to the sample because they are on a
psychoactive medication. The surveyor must also consider adding
them based on which other factor?
TERM CARE SURVEYOR CERTIFICATION EXAM:
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTION BANK COVERING FEDERAL
REGULATORY STANDARDS, FACILITY TASK PROTOCOLS,
SAMPLE SELECTION CRITERIA, RESIDENT INTERVIEW
PROCEDURES, AND DEFICIENCY IDENTIFICATION
1. A resident who was not originally part of the sample is added due
to an offsite concern. According to the guidance, what is the primary
focus of the investigation for this resident?
A) A full comprehensive review of all care areas
B) The specific allegation that prompted the addition
C) Only the resident's medication regimen
D) A review of the resident's baseline care plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The guidance clearly states that when more than 5
complaint/FRI residents are added to the sample, you will only
investigate for the allegation. This focuses the investigation on the
specific concern that brought the resident to the surveyor's attention.
2. What is the correct course of action if a resident halts the interview
midway through?
A) Immediately mark the resident as complete and move to the next
resident
B) Ask the resident to reschedule for the next day
,C) Attempt to complete later; if you can't, leave the rest blank, complete
RO/RR then mark the resident as complete
D) Terminate the entire survey process for that day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The protocol directs that the surveyor should attempt to
complete the interview later. If completion is not possible, the
remaining sections should be left blank, the RO/RR sections completed,
and the resident marked as complete.
3. Which of the following best describes the definition of Jeopardy in a
long-term care survey context?
A) A provider's failure to submit required documentation on time
B) A provider's noncompliance has caused, or is likely to cause, serious
injury, harm, impairment, or death
C) A minor deficiency that could potentially lead to a resident complaint
D) A situation where a resident refuses care and treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The definition of Jeopardy is specifically tied to
noncompliance that has resulted in or is highly likely to result in serious
consequences such as injury, harm, impairment, or death.
4. What is the primary reference for determining the minimum
number of residents to include in the survey sample?
A) The previous survey report
B) The facility's current census
C) The sample size grid and system calculated minimum
D) The number of complaints filed against the facility
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sample size is determined by using the sample size grid
and the minimum calculated by the system to ensure a representative
and sufficient sample for the survey.
5. Can the number of residents selected for the survey sample exceed
the number indicated on the sample size grid?
A) No, the grid provides a strict upper limit
B) Yes
C) Only if approved by the State Agency Director
D) Only if there are more than 10 complaint residents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The guidance explicitly states that the sample size can exceed
the grid, allowing for flexibility to include additional residents based on
concerns, complaints, or other factors.
6. How many residents does the system typically select for the
unnecessary medication review?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 10
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The guidance specifies that the system selects five residents
for the unnecessary medication review, which is a targeted clinical
review area.
, 7. When investigating abuse based on a history of abuse noted on the
offsite prep screen, what should the surveyor request from the
facility?
A) A list of all staff members since the last survey
B) All allegations of abuse since the last survey
C) The facility's abuse prevention policy
D) The personnel files of all current employees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To conduct a thorough investigation, the surveyor must ask
the facility for all allegations of abuse that have occurred since the last
survey to identify patterns or ongoing issues.
8. If the required sample size is not met, which of the following is the
LEAST important consideration when adding residents?
A) Residents with the most concerns
B) Residents with concerns related to QOL and RR
C) Residents with the shortest length of stay
D) Residents selected for unnecessary medication review
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The guidance lists several factors to consider, including
residents with concerns, QOL/RR issues, unnecessary medication review
selections, prior survey and complaint results, and underrepresented
areas. Length of stay is not mentioned as a primary consideration.
9. A resident is added to the sample because they are on a
psychoactive medication. The surveyor must also consider adding
them based on which other factor?
