CPPM FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. When calculating a return on investment (ROI) for an electronic health record (EHR) purchase, it is
important to:
A. Project a 75 % savings for efficiency of locating records
B. Assume an EHR will allow you to see more patients right away
C. Project out‑of‑pocket expenses and savings in a conservative manner
D. Project a 50 % time savings for each physician, increasing the number of patients seen each week
Answer: C
Explanation: A realistic ROI analysis must be conservative, forecasting both the direct out‑of‑pocket
costs (hardware, software, training, maintenance) and the potential savings (staff reduction, improved
billing, fewer denied claims). Over‑optimistic assumptions can lead to a flawed decision.
2. Which of the following is NOT required to process the online application on the CMS website for a
National Provider Identifier (NPI)?
A. State license information
B. Date of birth
C. Taxonomy code
D. DEA number
Answer: D
Explanation: A DEA number is not required for an NPI application. The online CMS application asks for
state license information, date of birth, and taxonomy code, but a DEA number is used only for
prescribing controlled substances and is not part of the standard NPI enrollment process.
3. Key elements of change management include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Engage everybody
B. Embrace the change
,C. Define the future
D. Train all staff
Answer: D
Explanation: While training is part of implementing change, it is not a core element of change
management itself. The fundamental elements are engaging everybody, embracing the change, and
defining the future – i.e., creating a shared vision, involving stakeholders, and building commitment to
the new direction.
4. A database that compiles a patient’s data from a variety of clinical sources to present a unified view of
a single patient is called a:
A. Pharmaceutical database
B. Health information network
C. Enterprise server
D. Clinical data repository (CDR)
Answer: D
Explanation: A clinical data repository (CDR) aggregates clinical data from multiple sources (EHR, lab
systems, pharmacy, etc.) and provides a single, integrated view of a patient’s health information. This
supports better clinical decision‑making and care coordination.
5. In order to minimize risk, a practice must have an effective risk management plan. Risk management
involves all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Diversity of staff
B. Physical appearance of the office
C. Patient safety
D. Return on investment for equipment purchases
Answer: A
Explanation: Staff diversity, while valuable, is not a direct component of a risk management plan. Risk
management focuses on patient safety, the physical environment (e.g., safe office design, infection
,control), and financial risks such as the ROI on capital equipment (ensuring investments do not endanger
the practice’s financial stability).
6. A pediatrician’s office continually has a completely booked schedule. Same‑day appointments are
causing providers to fall behind and work extended hours. What can the office do to alleviate this
problem?
A. Allow less time for each patient on the schedule so additional patients can be seen.
B. Create an open access schedule which allows for blocks of time to be left open for same‑day
appointments.
C. Create a schedule based on the patient’s insurance carrier and the contracted payment rate.
D. Add more time slots to the physician’s schedule so the physician knows how late he will be expected
to work.
Answer: B
Explanation: Open access (or advanced access) scheduling reserves specific appointment slots for
same‑day appointments, eliminating the need to overbook or extend hours. This approach improves
patient access while protecting the physician’s schedule from constant disruption.
7. Your office recently installed a new phone system. A physician who cannot master the system blames
you for the “faulty” system and his inability to learn it. Using good communication skills, you should:
A. Tell him he needs to try harder.
B. Give him the user manual.
C. Argue that it is a terrific system.
D. Be quiet and listen to all his concerns.
Answer: D
Explanation: Active listening is the first step in diffusing a tense situation. By listening without
interrupting or defending, you allow the physician to express his frustration fully, which opens the door
for a collaborative problem‑solving conversation later.
8. The three measures to include in Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery planning are:
A. Preventive, Detective, Corrective
, B. Informational, Preventive, Emergency
C. Corrective, Preventive, Informational
D. Detective, Preventive, Emergency
Answer: A
Explanation: A comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plan includes preventive
measures (to stop disasters before they happen), detective measures (to identify when a disaster
occurs), and corrective measures (to restore operations after a disaster).
9. The front desk plays an important role in:
I. Customer service
II. Optimizing physician time
III. Denials resolution
IV. Claim quality assurance
V. Clinical assessment of patients
A. I, II, and IV
B. II, IV, and V
C. I, II, III, and V
D. I, II, III, IV, and V
Answer: A
Explanation: The front desk supports customer service, optimizes physician time (by managing patient
flow and scheduling), and participates in claim quality assurance (e.g., verifying insurance information,
collecting co‑pays). Clinical assessment of patients (V) is performed by clinical staff, and denials
resolution (III) is typically handled by billing staff, not the front desk.
10. Using the break‑even table below, what is the number of units necessary to break even on an annual
basis for a new mammography machine?
| Revenue per screening | $58 |
| Fixed costs (equipment, salaries, malpractice) | $65,000 |
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. When calculating a return on investment (ROI) for an electronic health record (EHR) purchase, it is
important to:
A. Project a 75 % savings for efficiency of locating records
B. Assume an EHR will allow you to see more patients right away
C. Project out‑of‑pocket expenses and savings in a conservative manner
D. Project a 50 % time savings for each physician, increasing the number of patients seen each week
Answer: C
Explanation: A realistic ROI analysis must be conservative, forecasting both the direct out‑of‑pocket
costs (hardware, software, training, maintenance) and the potential savings (staff reduction, improved
billing, fewer denied claims). Over‑optimistic assumptions can lead to a flawed decision.
2. Which of the following is NOT required to process the online application on the CMS website for a
National Provider Identifier (NPI)?
A. State license information
B. Date of birth
C. Taxonomy code
D. DEA number
Answer: D
Explanation: A DEA number is not required for an NPI application. The online CMS application asks for
state license information, date of birth, and taxonomy code, but a DEA number is used only for
prescribing controlled substances and is not part of the standard NPI enrollment process.
3. Key elements of change management include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Engage everybody
B. Embrace the change
,C. Define the future
D. Train all staff
Answer: D
Explanation: While training is part of implementing change, it is not a core element of change
management itself. The fundamental elements are engaging everybody, embracing the change, and
defining the future – i.e., creating a shared vision, involving stakeholders, and building commitment to
the new direction.
4. A database that compiles a patient’s data from a variety of clinical sources to present a unified view of
a single patient is called a:
A. Pharmaceutical database
B. Health information network
C. Enterprise server
D. Clinical data repository (CDR)
Answer: D
Explanation: A clinical data repository (CDR) aggregates clinical data from multiple sources (EHR, lab
systems, pharmacy, etc.) and provides a single, integrated view of a patient’s health information. This
supports better clinical decision‑making and care coordination.
5. In order to minimize risk, a practice must have an effective risk management plan. Risk management
involves all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Diversity of staff
B. Physical appearance of the office
C. Patient safety
D. Return on investment for equipment purchases
Answer: A
Explanation: Staff diversity, while valuable, is not a direct component of a risk management plan. Risk
management focuses on patient safety, the physical environment (e.g., safe office design, infection
,control), and financial risks such as the ROI on capital equipment (ensuring investments do not endanger
the practice’s financial stability).
6. A pediatrician’s office continually has a completely booked schedule. Same‑day appointments are
causing providers to fall behind and work extended hours. What can the office do to alleviate this
problem?
A. Allow less time for each patient on the schedule so additional patients can be seen.
B. Create an open access schedule which allows for blocks of time to be left open for same‑day
appointments.
C. Create a schedule based on the patient’s insurance carrier and the contracted payment rate.
D. Add more time slots to the physician’s schedule so the physician knows how late he will be expected
to work.
Answer: B
Explanation: Open access (or advanced access) scheduling reserves specific appointment slots for
same‑day appointments, eliminating the need to overbook or extend hours. This approach improves
patient access while protecting the physician’s schedule from constant disruption.
7. Your office recently installed a new phone system. A physician who cannot master the system blames
you for the “faulty” system and his inability to learn it. Using good communication skills, you should:
A. Tell him he needs to try harder.
B. Give him the user manual.
C. Argue that it is a terrific system.
D. Be quiet and listen to all his concerns.
Answer: D
Explanation: Active listening is the first step in diffusing a tense situation. By listening without
interrupting or defending, you allow the physician to express his frustration fully, which opens the door
for a collaborative problem‑solving conversation later.
8. The three measures to include in Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery planning are:
A. Preventive, Detective, Corrective
, B. Informational, Preventive, Emergency
C. Corrective, Preventive, Informational
D. Detective, Preventive, Emergency
Answer: A
Explanation: A comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plan includes preventive
measures (to stop disasters before they happen), detective measures (to identify when a disaster
occurs), and corrective measures (to restore operations after a disaster).
9. The front desk plays an important role in:
I. Customer service
II. Optimizing physician time
III. Denials resolution
IV. Claim quality assurance
V. Clinical assessment of patients
A. I, II, and IV
B. II, IV, and V
C. I, II, III, and V
D. I, II, III, IV, and V
Answer: A
Explanation: The front desk supports customer service, optimizes physician time (by managing patient
flow and scheduling), and participates in claim quality assurance (e.g., verifying insurance information,
collecting co‑pays). Clinical assessment of patients (V) is performed by clinical staff, and denials
resolution (III) is typically handled by billing staff, not the front desk.
10. Using the break‑even table below, what is the number of units necessary to break even on an annual
basis for a new mammography machine?
| Revenue per screening | $58 |
| Fixed costs (equipment, salaries, malpractice) | $65,000 |
