NURS 4106
Patient Safety & Quality
Improvement
MIDTERM EXAM READINESS
GUIDE
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Which of the following is a key principle of the Plan-Do-
Study-Act (PDSA) cycle in quality improvement?
a) Planning detailed and extensive documentation
b) Implementing changes immediately without studying
outcomes
c) Engaging in small-scale testing of changes
d) Ensuring that changes are irreversible
Answer: c) Engaging in small-scale testing of changes
Rationale: The PDSA cycle emphasizes the importance
of testing changes on a small scale to observe outcomes
before large-scale implementation.
2. In the context of patient safety, what does a 'root cause
analysis' primarily aim to do?
a) Identify and discipline the staff involved in an error
b) Determine the financial costs associated with a medical
error
c) Understand the underlying causes of a problem or error
d) Replace faulty equipment immediately
Answer: c) Understand the underlying causes of a
problem or error
Rationale: Root cause analysis aims to identify
fundamental problems that lead to errors, thus preventing
future occurrences.
3. Which of the following is considered a "never event" in
healthcare?
a) Patient developing a minor rash from medication
©2024/2025
, b) Accidental fall resulting in a fracture within the hospital
c) Delayed response to a call bell
d) Incorrect patient identification during routine vital sign
checks
Answer: b) Accidental fall resulting in a fracture within
the hospital
Rationale: "Never events" are serious, preventable
incidents such as falls leading to fractures that should not
occur if proper safety measures are in place.
4. What does the "Swiss Cheese Model" of system failures
illustrate?
a) Linear progression of errors
b) Independent errors occurring in isolation
c) Multiple layers of defense in a system, each with
potential weaknesses
d) The random nature of medical errors
Answer: c) Multiple layers of defense in a system, each
with potential weaknesses
Rationale: The Swiss Cheese Model demonstrates how
errors pass through multiple layers of defense, each with
vulnerabilities, resulting in adverse events.
5. Which methodology is most effective for identifying
hidden risks in healthcare processes?
a) Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP)
b) Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
c) Patient Satisfaction Surveys
d) Peer Reviews
Answer: b) Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
©2024/2025
Patient Safety & Quality
Improvement
MIDTERM EXAM READINESS
GUIDE
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Which of the following is a key principle of the Plan-Do-
Study-Act (PDSA) cycle in quality improvement?
a) Planning detailed and extensive documentation
b) Implementing changes immediately without studying
outcomes
c) Engaging in small-scale testing of changes
d) Ensuring that changes are irreversible
Answer: c) Engaging in small-scale testing of changes
Rationale: The PDSA cycle emphasizes the importance
of testing changes on a small scale to observe outcomes
before large-scale implementation.
2. In the context of patient safety, what does a 'root cause
analysis' primarily aim to do?
a) Identify and discipline the staff involved in an error
b) Determine the financial costs associated with a medical
error
c) Understand the underlying causes of a problem or error
d) Replace faulty equipment immediately
Answer: c) Understand the underlying causes of a
problem or error
Rationale: Root cause analysis aims to identify
fundamental problems that lead to errors, thus preventing
future occurrences.
3. Which of the following is considered a "never event" in
healthcare?
a) Patient developing a minor rash from medication
©2024/2025
, b) Accidental fall resulting in a fracture within the hospital
c) Delayed response to a call bell
d) Incorrect patient identification during routine vital sign
checks
Answer: b) Accidental fall resulting in a fracture within
the hospital
Rationale: "Never events" are serious, preventable
incidents such as falls leading to fractures that should not
occur if proper safety measures are in place.
4. What does the "Swiss Cheese Model" of system failures
illustrate?
a) Linear progression of errors
b) Independent errors occurring in isolation
c) Multiple layers of defense in a system, each with
potential weaknesses
d) The random nature of medical errors
Answer: c) Multiple layers of defense in a system, each
with potential weaknesses
Rationale: The Swiss Cheese Model demonstrates how
errors pass through multiple layers of defense, each with
vulnerabilities, resulting in adverse events.
5. Which methodology is most effective for identifying
hidden risks in healthcare processes?
a) Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP)
b) Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
c) Patient Satisfaction Surveys
d) Peer Reviews
Answer: b) Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
©2024/2025
