EDPNA Certification Exam Test Guide 2026/2027
| Integrated Disaster Scenarios | Teaching-Quality
Rationales | Grade A | Emergency Preparedness
Nursing
Each item is a mini-simulation: reads like an unfolding incident, forces systems-level
decisions, then teaches the “why.”
All answers map to: ICS/NIMS, HSEEP, START/JumpSTART/SALT, CBIRNE, Model State
Emergency Health Powers Act (MSEHPA), ANA Code of Ethics, HICS, CDC/HHS
guidance, ASPR TRACIE documents, and peer-reviewed disaster nursing literature.
DOMAIN 1 PREPAREDNESS, PLANNING & MITIGATION (30 Qs)
Q1
A hospital Disaster Committee scores an earthquake: Human Impact = High, Probability
= Medium, Preparedness = Low. Per HVA methodology, the overall risk score is
PRIMARILY driven by:
A. High Human Impact – ultimate consequence to mitigate
B. Medium Probability – likelihood of occurrence
C. Low Preparedness – institutional vulnerability multiplier
D. Equal weighting of all three factors
Correct: C
,Rationale: Kaiser-type HVA: Risk ≈ (Impact × Probability) ÷ Preparedness. Low
preparedness exponentially amplifies risk; resources must target readiness gaps.
Key Learning: HVA is a self-assessment, not just a threat list.
Distractors: A/B ignore readiness; D misstates weighting.
Q2
Which HSEEP phase is conducted FIRST when designing a full-scale hospital
active-shooter exercise?
A. Evaluation
B. Improvement Planning
C. Foundation (Planning)
D. Conduct
Correct: C
Foundation = objectives, scope, hazard selection, MSEL draft.
Distractors: Conduct = play, Evaluation = data collection, Improvement = AAR/IP.
Q3
An HVA identifies “cyber-attack on EMR” as medium-probability / high-impact. Which
mitigation action offers the greatest return on investment?
A. Paper backup protocols & redundant off-site e-ICU link
B. Extra flashlights for power loss
,C. Hiring 50 new bedside nurses
D. Purchasing a decontamination tent
Correct: A
Directly reduces vulnerability to cyber impact; supports continuity of operations (COOP).
Others address unrelated hazards.
Q4
The hospital’s EOP is being updated. Which component is REQUIRED by CMS
Emergency Preparedness Rule (42 CFR 482.15)?
A. Detailed financial recovery plan
B. Integrated sheltering plan for homeless
C. Policies & procedures to support subsistence needs for staff & patients up to 96 h
D. Memoranda of Understanding with casinos for lodging
Correct: C
CMS mandates 96-hour subsistence (food, water, meds, utilities). Others are
optional/venue-specific.
Q5
A regional MOU pledges 20 critical-care beds within 4 h. Which element is MOST
important to include for legal activation?
A. Reciprocal credentialing & liability coverage
, B. Menu specifications for patient meals
C. Parking validation for visiting staff
D. Branding guidelines for press releases
Correct: A
Legal scope-of-practice & liability protection enable actual deployment. Others are
administrative niceties.
Q6
Surge capacity planning: surgical ICU has 12 beds, normal census 11. Which metric
BEST predicts ability to accept 8 ventilated trauma patients?
A. Total bed count
B. Staffed-bed surge capacity (space, staff, stuff) at 2× for 96 h
C. Number of elevators
D. Linear accelerator availability
Correct: B
ASPR definition: sustainable surge = space + staff + supplies + systems. Others are
partial or irrelevant.
Q7
A drill evaluates “door-to-CT” time for stroke during mass-casualty event. Which HSEEP
terminology describes this metric?
| Integrated Disaster Scenarios | Teaching-Quality
Rationales | Grade A | Emergency Preparedness
Nursing
Each item is a mini-simulation: reads like an unfolding incident, forces systems-level
decisions, then teaches the “why.”
All answers map to: ICS/NIMS, HSEEP, START/JumpSTART/SALT, CBIRNE, Model State
Emergency Health Powers Act (MSEHPA), ANA Code of Ethics, HICS, CDC/HHS
guidance, ASPR TRACIE documents, and peer-reviewed disaster nursing literature.
DOMAIN 1 PREPAREDNESS, PLANNING & MITIGATION (30 Qs)
Q1
A hospital Disaster Committee scores an earthquake: Human Impact = High, Probability
= Medium, Preparedness = Low. Per HVA methodology, the overall risk score is
PRIMARILY driven by:
A. High Human Impact – ultimate consequence to mitigate
B. Medium Probability – likelihood of occurrence
C. Low Preparedness – institutional vulnerability multiplier
D. Equal weighting of all three factors
Correct: C
,Rationale: Kaiser-type HVA: Risk ≈ (Impact × Probability) ÷ Preparedness. Low
preparedness exponentially amplifies risk; resources must target readiness gaps.
Key Learning: HVA is a self-assessment, not just a threat list.
Distractors: A/B ignore readiness; D misstates weighting.
Q2
Which HSEEP phase is conducted FIRST when designing a full-scale hospital
active-shooter exercise?
A. Evaluation
B. Improvement Planning
C. Foundation (Planning)
D. Conduct
Correct: C
Foundation = objectives, scope, hazard selection, MSEL draft.
Distractors: Conduct = play, Evaluation = data collection, Improvement = AAR/IP.
Q3
An HVA identifies “cyber-attack on EMR” as medium-probability / high-impact. Which
mitigation action offers the greatest return on investment?
A. Paper backup protocols & redundant off-site e-ICU link
B. Extra flashlights for power loss
,C. Hiring 50 new bedside nurses
D. Purchasing a decontamination tent
Correct: A
Directly reduces vulnerability to cyber impact; supports continuity of operations (COOP).
Others address unrelated hazards.
Q4
The hospital’s EOP is being updated. Which component is REQUIRED by CMS
Emergency Preparedness Rule (42 CFR 482.15)?
A. Detailed financial recovery plan
B. Integrated sheltering plan for homeless
C. Policies & procedures to support subsistence needs for staff & patients up to 96 h
D. Memoranda of Understanding with casinos for lodging
Correct: C
CMS mandates 96-hour subsistence (food, water, meds, utilities). Others are
optional/venue-specific.
Q5
A regional MOU pledges 20 critical-care beds within 4 h. Which element is MOST
important to include for legal activation?
A. Reciprocal credentialing & liability coverage
, B. Menu specifications for patient meals
C. Parking validation for visiting staff
D. Branding guidelines for press releases
Correct: A
Legal scope-of-practice & liability protection enable actual deployment. Others are
administrative niceties.
Q6
Surge capacity planning: surgical ICU has 12 beds, normal census 11. Which metric
BEST predicts ability to accept 8 ventilated trauma patients?
A. Total bed count
B. Staffed-bed surge capacity (space, staff, stuff) at 2× for 96 h
C. Number of elevators
D. Linear accelerator availability
Correct: B
ASPR definition: sustainable surge = space + staff + supplies + systems. Others are
partial or irrelevant.
Q7
A drill evaluates “door-to-CT” time for stroke during mass-casualty event. Which HSEEP
terminology describes this metric?
