, HealthStream Competency
Assessment Exam 2026/2027 | 100
Verified Questions & Answers |
Healthcare Competency Prep | 4 Core
Domains | Instant Download | rated
100% correct.
DOMAIN 1: PATIENT SAFETY & CLINICAL
JUDGMENT
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. The patient states,
"I think that's my name, but I'm not sure." The wristband is smudged but
appears to match. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Proceed with the transfusion since the wristband appears to match
B. Ask the patient to state their date of birth and compare it to the medical
record while verifying the wristband
C. Hold the transfusion and obtain a new wristband with the patient's full
cooperation before proceeding
D. Ask the patient's roommate to confirm the patient's identity
Correct Answer: C (Hold the transfusion and obtain a new wristband
with the patient's full cooperation before proceeding)
Rationale: Per The Joint Commission NPSG.01.01.01, two reliable patient
identifiers must be used before any high-risk procedure. A smudged
wristband and patient uncertainty constitute an identification failure
requiring immediate correction. Blood transfusions are high-alert procedures
where identification errors can be fatal .
Teaching Point: Patient identification failure = stop and verify with two
identifiers.
Source: HealthStream Patient Safety Standards 2026
,2. A 78-year-old patient with Parkinson's disease and a history of falls is
admitted. The Morse Fall Scale score is 65. Which intervention is most
appropriate for this fall risk level?
A. Place bed alarm and hourly rounding only
B. Bed alarm, non-slip socks, bed in low position, call light within reach, and
hourly rounding addressing the 4 Ps
C. Apply bilateral soft wrist restraints to prevent unplanned bed exits
D. Move patient to a room closest to the nurses' station and check every 15
minutes
Correct Answer: B (Bed alarm, non-slip socks, bed in low position, call
light within reach, and hourly rounding addressing the 4 Ps)
Rationale: A Morse Fall Scale score ≥50 indicates high fall risk. The
evidence-based fall bundle includes bed/chair alarms, non-slip footwear, bed
in lowest position with brakes locked, call light within reach, and hourly
rounding addressing Pain, Potty, Position, and Possessions (4 Ps) .
Teaching Point: High fall risk = comprehensive fall bundle + 4 Ps rounding.
Source: HealthStream Competency Module 2026
3. During a time-out procedure before a right knee arthroscopy, the
circulating nurse notes the consent form says "left knee" but the site
marking and team verbal confirmation indicate "right knee." What is the
correct action?
A. Proceed with the right knee procedure since the site marking matches the
team's verbal confirmation
B. Stop the procedure, verify the correct site with the patient awake and
alert, and obtain a corrected consent form
C. Cross out "left" on the consent and write "right," then have the surgeon
initial the change
D. Call the patient's family to determine which knee requires surgery
Correct Answer: B (Stop the procedure, verify the correct site with
the patient awake and alert, and obtain a corrected consent form)
, Rationale: The Universal Protocol and Joint Commission NPSG.06.01.01
mandate that all documentation, site marking, and team confirmation must
match before incision. A discrepancy between consent and site marking is a
"hard stop" requiring resolution. The patient must be involved in verification
when possible .
Teaching Point: Consent/site discrepancy = hard stop + patient
verification.
Source: HealthStream Patient Safety Standards 2026
4. A patient with a history of falls is being discharged. Which instruction is
most important for fall prevention at home?
A. Wear shoes with smooth, slick soles for easy movement
B. Remove throw rugs and install grab bars in the bathroom
C. Keep the lights dim to reduce glare
D. Take sedatives before bedtime to improve sleep
Correct Answer: B (Remove throw rugs and install grab bars in the
bathroom)
Rationale: Throw rugs are a major tripping hazard. Grab bars provide
stability in the bathroom. Smooth soles increase slip risk; dim lights reduce
visibility; sedatives increase fall risk.
Teaching Point: Home fall prevention = remove hazards + install grab
bars.
Source: HealthStream Patient Safety Standards 2026
5. The nurse is assessing several clients prior to surgery. Which factor in a
client's history poses the greatest threat for complications during surgery?
A. Taking birth control pills for the past 2 years
B. Taking anticoagulants for the past year
C. Recently completing antibiotic therapy
D. Having taken laxatives PRN for the last 6 months
Assessment Exam 2026/2027 | 100
Verified Questions & Answers |
Healthcare Competency Prep | 4 Core
Domains | Instant Download | rated
100% correct.
DOMAIN 1: PATIENT SAFETY & CLINICAL
JUDGMENT
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. The patient states,
"I think that's my name, but I'm not sure." The wristband is smudged but
appears to match. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Proceed with the transfusion since the wristband appears to match
B. Ask the patient to state their date of birth and compare it to the medical
record while verifying the wristband
C. Hold the transfusion and obtain a new wristband with the patient's full
cooperation before proceeding
D. Ask the patient's roommate to confirm the patient's identity
Correct Answer: C (Hold the transfusion and obtain a new wristband
with the patient's full cooperation before proceeding)
Rationale: Per The Joint Commission NPSG.01.01.01, two reliable patient
identifiers must be used before any high-risk procedure. A smudged
wristband and patient uncertainty constitute an identification failure
requiring immediate correction. Blood transfusions are high-alert procedures
where identification errors can be fatal .
Teaching Point: Patient identification failure = stop and verify with two
identifiers.
Source: HealthStream Patient Safety Standards 2026
,2. A 78-year-old patient with Parkinson's disease and a history of falls is
admitted. The Morse Fall Scale score is 65. Which intervention is most
appropriate for this fall risk level?
A. Place bed alarm and hourly rounding only
B. Bed alarm, non-slip socks, bed in low position, call light within reach, and
hourly rounding addressing the 4 Ps
C. Apply bilateral soft wrist restraints to prevent unplanned bed exits
D. Move patient to a room closest to the nurses' station and check every 15
minutes
Correct Answer: B (Bed alarm, non-slip socks, bed in low position, call
light within reach, and hourly rounding addressing the 4 Ps)
Rationale: A Morse Fall Scale score ≥50 indicates high fall risk. The
evidence-based fall bundle includes bed/chair alarms, non-slip footwear, bed
in lowest position with brakes locked, call light within reach, and hourly
rounding addressing Pain, Potty, Position, and Possessions (4 Ps) .
Teaching Point: High fall risk = comprehensive fall bundle + 4 Ps rounding.
Source: HealthStream Competency Module 2026
3. During a time-out procedure before a right knee arthroscopy, the
circulating nurse notes the consent form says "left knee" but the site
marking and team verbal confirmation indicate "right knee." What is the
correct action?
A. Proceed with the right knee procedure since the site marking matches the
team's verbal confirmation
B. Stop the procedure, verify the correct site with the patient awake and
alert, and obtain a corrected consent form
C. Cross out "left" on the consent and write "right," then have the surgeon
initial the change
D. Call the patient's family to determine which knee requires surgery
Correct Answer: B (Stop the procedure, verify the correct site with
the patient awake and alert, and obtain a corrected consent form)
, Rationale: The Universal Protocol and Joint Commission NPSG.06.01.01
mandate that all documentation, site marking, and team confirmation must
match before incision. A discrepancy between consent and site marking is a
"hard stop" requiring resolution. The patient must be involved in verification
when possible .
Teaching Point: Consent/site discrepancy = hard stop + patient
verification.
Source: HealthStream Patient Safety Standards 2026
4. A patient with a history of falls is being discharged. Which instruction is
most important for fall prevention at home?
A. Wear shoes with smooth, slick soles for easy movement
B. Remove throw rugs and install grab bars in the bathroom
C. Keep the lights dim to reduce glare
D. Take sedatives before bedtime to improve sleep
Correct Answer: B (Remove throw rugs and install grab bars in the
bathroom)
Rationale: Throw rugs are a major tripping hazard. Grab bars provide
stability in the bathroom. Smooth soles increase slip risk; dim lights reduce
visibility; sedatives increase fall risk.
Teaching Point: Home fall prevention = remove hazards + install grab
bars.
Source: HealthStream Patient Safety Standards 2026
5. The nurse is assessing several clients prior to surgery. Which factor in a
client's history poses the greatest threat for complications during surgery?
A. Taking birth control pills for the past 2 years
B. Taking anticoagulants for the past year
C. Recently completing antibiotic therapy
D. Having taken laxatives PRN for the last 6 months
