1
CHSE (Certified Healthcare Simulation
Educator) Certification Exam — Complete
Practice Question Bank (2026/2027).
Q1: A simulation educator notices that some participants consistently dominate discussion
during debriefing while others remain silent. Which action best upholds professional values
and cultivates respectful relationships?
A. Privately instruct quiet participants to speak more next time
B. Allow the dominant speakers to continue so the session stays on schedule
C. Establish and enforce ground rules that invite balanced contribution from all participants
[CORRECT]
D. End the debriefing early to avoid discomfort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cultivating respectful relationships and facilitating collaboration requires creating
conditions for equitable participation. Ground rules that explicitly invite balanced
contribution maintain psychological safety and model professional values. Silencing or
ignoring participants undermines inclusion and team dynamics emphasized in Domain I.
Q2: During a simulation research study, a participant asks to withdraw after the scenario has
begun. What is the most appropriate response consistent with ethical principles?
A. Require completion because data integrity would be compromised
B. Allow withdrawal only if the institutional review board is notified first
C. Honor the request immediately and ensure no negative consequences [CORRECT]
D. Ask the participant to complete a short feedback form before leaving
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Informed consent includes the right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
Respecting autonomy and maintaining integrity are core ethical obligations in simulation
, 2
research and education. Continuing against the participant’s will violates professional
standards.
Q3: A simulation program director is asked to advocate for additional funding. Which
approach most effectively demonstrates leadership and advocacy for simulation?
A. Emphasize the high cost of manikins relative to traditional lectures
B. Present outcome data linking simulation to improved clinical performance and patient
safety metrics [CORRECT]
C. Highlight the number of scenarios run each year
D. Request funds based solely on peer institution comparisons
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective advocacy connects simulation activities to measurable educational and
patient-safety outcomes. Data-driven arguments aligned with organizational priorities
strengthen leadership influence and resource allocation discussions.
Q4: Two simulation educators disagree about whether a standardized patient should provide
feedback during a formative scenario. Which professional capability best resolves the
conflict?
A. Defer to the more senior educator’s preference
B. Facilitate a collaborative discussion focused on learning objectives and evidence-based
practice [CORRECT]
C. Allow the standardized patient to decide independently
D. Eliminate feedback altogether to avoid conflict
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facilitating collaboration and teamwork requires open dialogue grounded in
educational goals rather than hierarchy or avoidance. This approach models professional
values and produces better instructional decisions.
Q5: A participant confides in the facilitator that they are struggling with personal issues
affecting performance. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
, 3
A. Discuss the issue openly in the debriefing to normalize vulnerability
B. Maintain confidentiality and offer appropriate support resources while protecting the
learning environment [CORRECT]
C. Document the conversation in the participant’s permanent record
D. Excuse the participant from all remaining simulation activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Participant confidentiality and integrity are foundational ethical principles.
Balancing support with protection of psychological safety and program integrity aligns with
professional values.
Q6: Which action best integrates credible resources when designing a new simulation
curriculum?
A. Rely exclusively on internal faculty experience
B. Incorporate peer-reviewed literature, professional society guidelines, and local outcome
data [CORRECT]
C. Copy scenarios from commercial vendors without modification
D. Base content solely on the most recent social-media trends
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integrating credible, evidence-based resources ensures curriculum quality and
professional accountability. Combining literature, guidelines, and local data reflects best
practice in Domain I leadership and scholarship.
Q7: A quality-improvement project aims to reduce medication errors observed in simulation.
Which framework is most appropriate to structure the effort?
A. Random trial-and-error changes
B. Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycles with iterative measurement [CORRECT]
C. One-time staff reminder emails
D. Immediate permanent policy change without data collection
, 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quality improvement in simulation follows systematic cycles such as PDCA to test,
measure, and refine interventions. This approach aligns with professional values of
continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.
Q8: During orientation, a new simulation operations specialist asks about their primary role
relative to educators. Which distinction is most accurate?
A. Operations specialists design learning objectives while educators manage equipment
B. Educators focus on educational design and facilitation; operations specialists focus on
technical preparation, equipment, and environmental readiness [CORRECT]
C. Both roles are interchangeable
D. Operations specialists conduct all debriefings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clear role differentiation supports effective teamwork and program operations.
Understanding distinct yet complementary responsibilities is a core professional capability.
Q9: A simulation program serves learners from multiple cultural backgrounds. Which practice
best advances diversity, equity, and inclusion?
A. Use identical scenarios for every group regardless of context
B. Intentionally incorporate diverse patient representations, inclusive language, and equitable
access to learning opportunities [CORRECT]
C. Avoid any discussion of cultural differences
D. Assign cultural scenarios only to learners from those backgrounds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DEI principles require deliberate design choices that reflect diverse populations and
ensure equitable participation. This aligns with professional values of respect and inclusion.
Q10: An educator is preparing an abstract for a simulation conference. Which research basic
must be addressed before data collection involving human participants?
CHSE (Certified Healthcare Simulation
Educator) Certification Exam — Complete
Practice Question Bank (2026/2027).
Q1: A simulation educator notices that some participants consistently dominate discussion
during debriefing while others remain silent. Which action best upholds professional values
and cultivates respectful relationships?
A. Privately instruct quiet participants to speak more next time
B. Allow the dominant speakers to continue so the session stays on schedule
C. Establish and enforce ground rules that invite balanced contribution from all participants
[CORRECT]
D. End the debriefing early to avoid discomfort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cultivating respectful relationships and facilitating collaboration requires creating
conditions for equitable participation. Ground rules that explicitly invite balanced
contribution maintain psychological safety and model professional values. Silencing or
ignoring participants undermines inclusion and team dynamics emphasized in Domain I.
Q2: During a simulation research study, a participant asks to withdraw after the scenario has
begun. What is the most appropriate response consistent with ethical principles?
A. Require completion because data integrity would be compromised
B. Allow withdrawal only if the institutional review board is notified first
C. Honor the request immediately and ensure no negative consequences [CORRECT]
D. Ask the participant to complete a short feedback form before leaving
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Informed consent includes the right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
Respecting autonomy and maintaining integrity are core ethical obligations in simulation
, 2
research and education. Continuing against the participant’s will violates professional
standards.
Q3: A simulation program director is asked to advocate for additional funding. Which
approach most effectively demonstrates leadership and advocacy for simulation?
A. Emphasize the high cost of manikins relative to traditional lectures
B. Present outcome data linking simulation to improved clinical performance and patient
safety metrics [CORRECT]
C. Highlight the number of scenarios run each year
D. Request funds based solely on peer institution comparisons
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective advocacy connects simulation activities to measurable educational and
patient-safety outcomes. Data-driven arguments aligned with organizational priorities
strengthen leadership influence and resource allocation discussions.
Q4: Two simulation educators disagree about whether a standardized patient should provide
feedback during a formative scenario. Which professional capability best resolves the
conflict?
A. Defer to the more senior educator’s preference
B. Facilitate a collaborative discussion focused on learning objectives and evidence-based
practice [CORRECT]
C. Allow the standardized patient to decide independently
D. Eliminate feedback altogether to avoid conflict
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facilitating collaboration and teamwork requires open dialogue grounded in
educational goals rather than hierarchy or avoidance. This approach models professional
values and produces better instructional decisions.
Q5: A participant confides in the facilitator that they are struggling with personal issues
affecting performance. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
, 3
A. Discuss the issue openly in the debriefing to normalize vulnerability
B. Maintain confidentiality and offer appropriate support resources while protecting the
learning environment [CORRECT]
C. Document the conversation in the participant’s permanent record
D. Excuse the participant from all remaining simulation activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Participant confidentiality and integrity are foundational ethical principles.
Balancing support with protection of psychological safety and program integrity aligns with
professional values.
Q6: Which action best integrates credible resources when designing a new simulation
curriculum?
A. Rely exclusively on internal faculty experience
B. Incorporate peer-reviewed literature, professional society guidelines, and local outcome
data [CORRECT]
C. Copy scenarios from commercial vendors without modification
D. Base content solely on the most recent social-media trends
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integrating credible, evidence-based resources ensures curriculum quality and
professional accountability. Combining literature, guidelines, and local data reflects best
practice in Domain I leadership and scholarship.
Q7: A quality-improvement project aims to reduce medication errors observed in simulation.
Which framework is most appropriate to structure the effort?
A. Random trial-and-error changes
B. Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycles with iterative measurement [CORRECT]
C. One-time staff reminder emails
D. Immediate permanent policy change without data collection
, 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quality improvement in simulation follows systematic cycles such as PDCA to test,
measure, and refine interventions. This approach aligns with professional values of
continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.
Q8: During orientation, a new simulation operations specialist asks about their primary role
relative to educators. Which distinction is most accurate?
A. Operations specialists design learning objectives while educators manage equipment
B. Educators focus on educational design and facilitation; operations specialists focus on
technical preparation, equipment, and environmental readiness [CORRECT]
C. Both roles are interchangeable
D. Operations specialists conduct all debriefings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clear role differentiation supports effective teamwork and program operations.
Understanding distinct yet complementary responsibilities is a core professional capability.
Q9: A simulation program serves learners from multiple cultural backgrounds. Which practice
best advances diversity, equity, and inclusion?
A. Use identical scenarios for every group regardless of context
B. Intentionally incorporate diverse patient representations, inclusive language, and equitable
access to learning opportunities [CORRECT]
C. Avoid any discussion of cultural differences
D. Assign cultural scenarios only to learners from those backgrounds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DEI principles require deliberate design choices that reflect diverse populations and
ensure equitable participation. This aligns with professional values of respect and inclusion.
Q10: An educator is preparing an abstract for a simulation conference. Which research basic
must be addressed before data collection involving human participants?
