WGU D027 Objective Assessment (100
Questions + Answers + Rationales)
Correct Answer = ✔️✔️
SECTION 1: Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, Root Cause Analysis (Q1–25)
1. Which tool is MOST appropriate for identifying underlying process problems during a
sentinel event review?
A. Flowchart
B. Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
C. Run Chart
D. Benchmarking
Rationale: RCA is used to investigate why an adverse event occurred and identify system-level
contributing factors.
2. A nurse leader examining medication errors over 12 months wants to evaluate patterns
over time. Which tool should be used?
A. Control chart
B. Pareto chart
C. Fishbone diagram
D. Bar graph
Rationale: Control charts track performance and stability of a process over time.
3. What is the FIRST step in the PDSA cycle for quality improvement?
A. Implement the intervention
B. Identify a problem and plan a change
C. Collect outcome data
D. Standardize the successful intervention
,Rationale: "Plan" involves identifying a gap and designing a change.
4. A hospital wants to reduce falls by 25% within 6 months. This goal meets which SMART
component?
A. Action-oriented
B. Realistic
C. Time-bound
D. Achievable
Rationale: The statement identifies a specific timeframe—6 months.
5. The MOST effective way to prevent reoccurrence of a medication error is to:
A. Retrain the nurse involved
B. Implement system-level safeguards
C. Increase disciplinary actions
D. Create new policies without review
Rationale: System-level changes prevent future errors more reliably than individual-focused
approaches.
6. A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram is used to:
A. Display process steps
B. Identify potential causes of a problem
C. Track outcomes
D. Show performance trends
7. What should a nurse leader do FIRST when a staff member reports a near miss?
A. File a disciplinary action
B. Conduct a safety huddle
C. Ignore it because no harm occurred
D. Ask the staff not to report it
Rationale: Safety huddles allow immediate discussion and system improvement.
,8. Which action BEST promotes a culture of safety?
A. Punishing staff for errors
B. Encouraging anonymous reporting
C. Limiting staff input
D. Delaying feedback
9. The Joint Commission requires an RCA for which event?
A. Patient complaint
B. Sentinel event
C. Staffing shortage
D. Equipment failure without harm
10. A pareto chart helps identify:
A. Time-based trends
B. Vital few contributors to a problem
C. Root causes
D. Flow-process steps
11. A nurse leader examining hand hygiene compliance performs daily observation rounds.
This is an example of:
A. Outcome measure
B. Process measure
C. Structure measure
D. Benchmark measure
12. Which is a leading indicator in safety monitoring?
A. Fall injury rates
B. Number of near misses
C. Mortality rates
D. Pressure injuries
, 13. “Number of infection control nurses per unit” is which Donabedian measure?
A. Process
B. Structure
C. Outcome
D. Benchmark
14. Which action is part of the “Do” phase of PDSA?
A. Testing a small-scale change
B. Interpreting results
C. Adjusting the plan
D. Studying outcomes
15. A nurse manager reviews CAUTI rates. What kind of measure is this?
A. Performance measure
B. Outcome measure
C. Structure measure
D. Balancing measure
**16. A balancing measure helps:
A. Determine if a change has unintended effects
B. Measure patient satisfaction only
C. Track financial data
D. Replace outcome measures
17. Which scenario reflects high-reliability organization behavior?
A. Ignoring minor variations
B. Encouraging staff to speak up
C. Assuming processes are safe
D. Downplaying near misses
Questions + Answers + Rationales)
Correct Answer = ✔️✔️
SECTION 1: Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, Root Cause Analysis (Q1–25)
1. Which tool is MOST appropriate for identifying underlying process problems during a
sentinel event review?
A. Flowchart
B. Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
C. Run Chart
D. Benchmarking
Rationale: RCA is used to investigate why an adverse event occurred and identify system-level
contributing factors.
2. A nurse leader examining medication errors over 12 months wants to evaluate patterns
over time. Which tool should be used?
A. Control chart
B. Pareto chart
C. Fishbone diagram
D. Bar graph
Rationale: Control charts track performance and stability of a process over time.
3. What is the FIRST step in the PDSA cycle for quality improvement?
A. Implement the intervention
B. Identify a problem and plan a change
C. Collect outcome data
D. Standardize the successful intervention
,Rationale: "Plan" involves identifying a gap and designing a change.
4. A hospital wants to reduce falls by 25% within 6 months. This goal meets which SMART
component?
A. Action-oriented
B. Realistic
C. Time-bound
D. Achievable
Rationale: The statement identifies a specific timeframe—6 months.
5. The MOST effective way to prevent reoccurrence of a medication error is to:
A. Retrain the nurse involved
B. Implement system-level safeguards
C. Increase disciplinary actions
D. Create new policies without review
Rationale: System-level changes prevent future errors more reliably than individual-focused
approaches.
6. A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram is used to:
A. Display process steps
B. Identify potential causes of a problem
C. Track outcomes
D. Show performance trends
7. What should a nurse leader do FIRST when a staff member reports a near miss?
A. File a disciplinary action
B. Conduct a safety huddle
C. Ignore it because no harm occurred
D. Ask the staff not to report it
Rationale: Safety huddles allow immediate discussion and system improvement.
,8. Which action BEST promotes a culture of safety?
A. Punishing staff for errors
B. Encouraging anonymous reporting
C. Limiting staff input
D. Delaying feedback
9. The Joint Commission requires an RCA for which event?
A. Patient complaint
B. Sentinel event
C. Staffing shortage
D. Equipment failure without harm
10. A pareto chart helps identify:
A. Time-based trends
B. Vital few contributors to a problem
C. Root causes
D. Flow-process steps
11. A nurse leader examining hand hygiene compliance performs daily observation rounds.
This is an example of:
A. Outcome measure
B. Process measure
C. Structure measure
D. Benchmark measure
12. Which is a leading indicator in safety monitoring?
A. Fall injury rates
B. Number of near misses
C. Mortality rates
D. Pressure injuries
, 13. “Number of infection control nurses per unit” is which Donabedian measure?
A. Process
B. Structure
C. Outcome
D. Benchmark
14. Which action is part of the “Do” phase of PDSA?
A. Testing a small-scale change
B. Interpreting results
C. Adjusting the plan
D. Studying outcomes
15. A nurse manager reviews CAUTI rates. What kind of measure is this?
A. Performance measure
B. Outcome measure
C. Structure measure
D. Balancing measure
**16. A balancing measure helps:
A. Determine if a change has unintended effects
B. Measure patient satisfaction only
C. Track financial data
D. Replace outcome measures
17. Which scenario reflects high-reliability organization behavior?
A. Ignoring minor variations
B. Encouraging staff to speak up
C. Assuming processes are safe
D. Downplaying near misses
