CHSOS
CHSOS – CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE SIMULATION
OPERATIONS SPECIALIST | EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026/2027
HEALTHCARE SIMULATION CERTIFICATION REVIEW
CHSOS – CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE SIMULATION OPERATIONS
SPECIALIST
1. A learner states that the systolic blood pressure displayed on the
patient monitor is 210 mmHg, yet the manikin was programmed for
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, CHSOS
120 mmHg. Which component should the operations specialist check
first?
A. The manikin's skin integrity
B. The room lighting controls
C. The vital sign monitor configuration or the scenario state actually
running
D. The debriefing video file
C. The vital sign monitor configuration or the scenario state actually
running
A display mismatch usually traces to the wrong monitor profile or an
unintended scenario state change, so the software is checked before
hardware.
2. Which term describes the degree to which a simulation reproduces
the real clinical environment, equipment, and patient?
A. Reliability
B. Validity
C. Debriefing
D. Fidelity
D. Fidelity
Fidelity refers to how closely the simulation resembles reality across
physical, environmental, and psychological dimensions.
3. A learner feels the scenario 'felt real' even though a low-tech task
trainer was used. This best illustrates which concept?
A. Technical fidelity
B. Environmental fidelity
C. Equipment fidelity
D. Psychological fidelity
D. Psychological fidelity
Psychological fidelity is the learner's perception that the experience is
realistic, which can be achieved without high technology.
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, CHSOS
4. The agreement made with learners to treat the simulation as real
while acknowledging its limitations is called the:
A. Fiction contract
B. Psychological contract of employment
C. Learning objective
D. Informed consent waiver
A. Fiction contract
The fiction contract asks learners to engage as if the scenario were real
while facilitators acknowledge what cannot be simulated.
5. What is the main purpose of a prebriefing session?
A. To grade learners' performance
B. To orient learners to the environment, equipment, expectations, and
psychological safety
C. To review video footage of the scenario
D. To replace the debriefing
B. To orient learners to the environment, equipment, expectations,
and psychological safety
Prebriefing prepares learners by explaining the space, manikin
capabilities, objectives, and ground rules before the scenario begins.
6. Which educational theory emphasizes learning through a cycle of
concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization,
and active experimentation?
A. Piaget's stages of development
B. Maslow's hierarchy of needs
C. Skinner's operant conditioning
D. Kolb's experiential learning theory
D. Kolb's experiential learning theory
Kolb's four-stage cycle underpins much of simulation-based education
and the role of debriefing.
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, CHSOS
7. A simulation designed primarily to assess whether learners meet a
set standard for certification is classified as:
A. High-stakes summative simulation
B. Exploratory simulation
C. In situ rehearsal
D. Formative simulation
A. High-stakes summative simulation
High-stakes summative simulation carries significant consequences such
as credentialing, pass/fail, or employment decisions.
8. Formative simulation is best described as an activity that:
A. Uses only virtual reality
B. Determines licensure eligibility
C. Is always conducted with standardized patients
D. Provides feedback to support learning and improvement without major
consequences
D. Provides feedback to support learning and improvement without
major consequences
Formative activities focus on development and feedback rather than final
judgment.
9. Which acronym refers to a structured communication tool commonly
practiced in simulation for handoffs?
A. ACLS
B. HIPAA
C. OSCE
D. SBAR
D. SBAR
SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a
standardized handoff format frequently rehearsed in simulation.
Page 4 of 59
CHSOS – CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE SIMULATION
OPERATIONS SPECIALIST | EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026/2027
HEALTHCARE SIMULATION CERTIFICATION REVIEW
CHSOS – CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE SIMULATION OPERATIONS
SPECIALIST
1. A learner states that the systolic blood pressure displayed on the
patient monitor is 210 mmHg, yet the manikin was programmed for
Page 1 of 59
, CHSOS
120 mmHg. Which component should the operations specialist check
first?
A. The manikin's skin integrity
B. The room lighting controls
C. The vital sign monitor configuration or the scenario state actually
running
D. The debriefing video file
C. The vital sign monitor configuration or the scenario state actually
running
A display mismatch usually traces to the wrong monitor profile or an
unintended scenario state change, so the software is checked before
hardware.
2. Which term describes the degree to which a simulation reproduces
the real clinical environment, equipment, and patient?
A. Reliability
B. Validity
C. Debriefing
D. Fidelity
D. Fidelity
Fidelity refers to how closely the simulation resembles reality across
physical, environmental, and psychological dimensions.
3. A learner feels the scenario 'felt real' even though a low-tech task
trainer was used. This best illustrates which concept?
A. Technical fidelity
B. Environmental fidelity
C. Equipment fidelity
D. Psychological fidelity
D. Psychological fidelity
Psychological fidelity is the learner's perception that the experience is
realistic, which can be achieved without high technology.
Page 2 of 59
, CHSOS
4. The agreement made with learners to treat the simulation as real
while acknowledging its limitations is called the:
A. Fiction contract
B. Psychological contract of employment
C. Learning objective
D. Informed consent waiver
A. Fiction contract
The fiction contract asks learners to engage as if the scenario were real
while facilitators acknowledge what cannot be simulated.
5. What is the main purpose of a prebriefing session?
A. To grade learners' performance
B. To orient learners to the environment, equipment, expectations, and
psychological safety
C. To review video footage of the scenario
D. To replace the debriefing
B. To orient learners to the environment, equipment, expectations,
and psychological safety
Prebriefing prepares learners by explaining the space, manikin
capabilities, objectives, and ground rules before the scenario begins.
6. Which educational theory emphasizes learning through a cycle of
concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization,
and active experimentation?
A. Piaget's stages of development
B. Maslow's hierarchy of needs
C. Skinner's operant conditioning
D. Kolb's experiential learning theory
D. Kolb's experiential learning theory
Kolb's four-stage cycle underpins much of simulation-based education
and the role of debriefing.
Page 3 of 59
, CHSOS
7. A simulation designed primarily to assess whether learners meet a
set standard for certification is classified as:
A. High-stakes summative simulation
B. Exploratory simulation
C. In situ rehearsal
D. Formative simulation
A. High-stakes summative simulation
High-stakes summative simulation carries significant consequences such
as credentialing, pass/fail, or employment decisions.
8. Formative simulation is best described as an activity that:
A. Uses only virtual reality
B. Determines licensure eligibility
C. Is always conducted with standardized patients
D. Provides feedback to support learning and improvement without major
consequences
D. Provides feedback to support learning and improvement without
major consequences
Formative activities focus on development and feedback rather than final
judgment.
9. Which acronym refers to a structured communication tool commonly
practiced in simulation for handoffs?
A. ACLS
B. HIPAA
C. OSCE
D. SBAR
D. SBAR
SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a
standardized handoff format frequently rehearsed in simulation.
Page 4 of 59
