2026 SMQT Surveyor Minimum Qualifications
Test Updated Practice Test with Certification
Exam 350 Questions Graded A
What is a psychotropic drug?
Any drug that affects brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior-include anti-
psychotic, antidepressant, anti-anxiety and hypnotic medications
What is "anticholinergic side effect"?
an effect of a medication that may cause dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, urinary retention,
constipation, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, flushed and increased blood pressure
What is Extrapyramidal symptoms" (EPS)?
a neurological side effect that may occur within a few day or years of treatment with antipsychotics.
Includes various syndromes such as; akathisia, medication-induced Parkinsonism, and dystonia.
What is akathesia ?
a distressing feeling of internal restlessnesss that may appear as constant motion, the inability to sit still,
fidgeting, pacing or rocking.
What is Medication-induced Parkinsonism?
Syndrome of symptoms like Parkinson's; tremor, shuffling gait, slowness of movement, expressionless
face, drooling, postural unsteadiness and rigidity of muscles.
What is dystonia?
acute, painful, spastic contraction of muscle groups (commonly the neck, eyes and trunk) that often
occurs soon after initiating treatment.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
Syndrome related to the use of antispychotics that presents with a sudden onset of diffuse muscle
rigidity, high fever, labile blood pressure, tremor, and cognitive dysfunction. Potentially fatal if not
treated immediatley, including stopping the offending medication.
What is serotonin syndrome?
,Serious clinical condition resulting from overstimulation of serotonin receptors. Commonly related to
the use of SSRI's, SNRI's, triptans, and antibiotics. Restlessness, hallucinations, confusion, loss of
coordination, fast heartbeat, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased temperature, overactive
reflexes, NV&D.
What is Tradive dyskinesia?
abnormal, recurrent, involuntary movements that typically present as lateral movements of the tongue
or jaw, thrusting, chewing, frequent blinking, brow arching, grimacing, and lip smacking. May be
irreversible
Significant weight loss in 1 month?
5% weight loss
Severe weight loss in 1 month?
greater than 5% weight loss
Significant weight loss in 3 months?
7.5% weight loss
Severe weight loss is 3 months?
greater than 7.5% weight loss
Significant weight loss in 6 months?
10% weight loss
When must a Gradual Dose reduction (GDR) occur?
Within the first year in which a resident is admitted or med is prescribed the facility must attempt a GDR
in two separate quarters (with at least one month in between the attempts) unless clinically
contraindicated.
Severe weight loss in 6 months
greater than 10% weight loss
What drugs are review for unnecessary medications?
Insulin, anticoagulant, antipsychotics with dementia
When finalizing the sample, what do you do if other residents are marked FI for the complaint
allegation care area?
,sample 3 residents for the care area.
What residents are system selected?
any offsite selected with at least one care area marked FI, any resident a surveyor marked as include in
sample, any identified abuse concern from IP or history of abuse citation or allegation since last survey.
What areas are reviewed for non-interviewable residents ?
Pressure ulcers, dialysis, infections, nutrition, falls in last 120 days, ADL decline, low risk B&B, unplanned
hospitalization, elopement, change of condition in last 120 days.
All residents are reviewed for which areas?
Advanced directives, confirm specific information based on RI/RO, other concerns .
What act established Medicare and Medicaid
Social Security Act of 1965 signed by Johnson established Medicare for aged over 65 and Medicaid
health insurance for low income.
What was created in 1977 to combine Medicare and Medicaid?
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), the predecessor of CMS
Who does Medicaid provide services for?
low income, needy elders, blind, disabled getting SSI, certain infants and low income pregnant women.
What is Title XVIII(18)?
Regulations for Medicare. Covers hospital, post hospital, home health services and hospice.
What is Titile XIX(19)?
Regulations for Medicaid for families with children, aged, blind or disabled with low income.
What is the Impact Act of 2014?
Impoving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transitions-effective 11/19/19. Includes Discharge Planning rule,
Burden reduction and Emergency Preparedness.
What is the survey process based on?
Person centered care, resident centered outcomes, QOC and QOL.
What are the 8 principles of Documentation?
, 1. Entity Compliance or Noncompliance
2. Using plain language.
3. Components of a Deficiency statement
4. Relevance of Onsite correction of findings
5. Interpretive guidelines
6. Citation of State or local code violations
7. Cross-referencing
8. Condition of Participation Deficiencies
What are the components of a deficiency statement?
1. regulatory reference
2. deficient practice statement
3.relevance facts and findings
What are CMS core values?
1.Public service
2.Integrity
3.Accountablity
4.Excellance
5.Respect
What are the LTC Survey Core skills?
1. Resident-centered, outcome oriented information gathering
2. Critical thinking
3. Teamwork
What is the definition of Practicable
capable regardless of circumstances or resources available to support an individual, innate ability
What is iatrogenesis?
a problem that is caused by a treatment
When should you export the survey shell from ACO?
Export the shell as close to the survey as possible but no more than 5 business days before.
When should you contact the RAI coordinator?
If the number of residents is unreasonable after exporting the survey shell
Which residents are included in the survey shell?
Test Updated Practice Test with Certification
Exam 350 Questions Graded A
What is a psychotropic drug?
Any drug that affects brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior-include anti-
psychotic, antidepressant, anti-anxiety and hypnotic medications
What is "anticholinergic side effect"?
an effect of a medication that may cause dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, urinary retention,
constipation, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, flushed and increased blood pressure
What is Extrapyramidal symptoms" (EPS)?
a neurological side effect that may occur within a few day or years of treatment with antipsychotics.
Includes various syndromes such as; akathisia, medication-induced Parkinsonism, and dystonia.
What is akathesia ?
a distressing feeling of internal restlessnesss that may appear as constant motion, the inability to sit still,
fidgeting, pacing or rocking.
What is Medication-induced Parkinsonism?
Syndrome of symptoms like Parkinson's; tremor, shuffling gait, slowness of movement, expressionless
face, drooling, postural unsteadiness and rigidity of muscles.
What is dystonia?
acute, painful, spastic contraction of muscle groups (commonly the neck, eyes and trunk) that often
occurs soon after initiating treatment.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
Syndrome related to the use of antispychotics that presents with a sudden onset of diffuse muscle
rigidity, high fever, labile blood pressure, tremor, and cognitive dysfunction. Potentially fatal if not
treated immediatley, including stopping the offending medication.
What is serotonin syndrome?
,Serious clinical condition resulting from overstimulation of serotonin receptors. Commonly related to
the use of SSRI's, SNRI's, triptans, and antibiotics. Restlessness, hallucinations, confusion, loss of
coordination, fast heartbeat, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased temperature, overactive
reflexes, NV&D.
What is Tradive dyskinesia?
abnormal, recurrent, involuntary movements that typically present as lateral movements of the tongue
or jaw, thrusting, chewing, frequent blinking, brow arching, grimacing, and lip smacking. May be
irreversible
Significant weight loss in 1 month?
5% weight loss
Severe weight loss in 1 month?
greater than 5% weight loss
Significant weight loss in 3 months?
7.5% weight loss
Severe weight loss is 3 months?
greater than 7.5% weight loss
Significant weight loss in 6 months?
10% weight loss
When must a Gradual Dose reduction (GDR) occur?
Within the first year in which a resident is admitted or med is prescribed the facility must attempt a GDR
in two separate quarters (with at least one month in between the attempts) unless clinically
contraindicated.
Severe weight loss in 6 months
greater than 10% weight loss
What drugs are review for unnecessary medications?
Insulin, anticoagulant, antipsychotics with dementia
When finalizing the sample, what do you do if other residents are marked FI for the complaint
allegation care area?
,sample 3 residents for the care area.
What residents are system selected?
any offsite selected with at least one care area marked FI, any resident a surveyor marked as include in
sample, any identified abuse concern from IP or history of abuse citation or allegation since last survey.
What areas are reviewed for non-interviewable residents ?
Pressure ulcers, dialysis, infections, nutrition, falls in last 120 days, ADL decline, low risk B&B, unplanned
hospitalization, elopement, change of condition in last 120 days.
All residents are reviewed for which areas?
Advanced directives, confirm specific information based on RI/RO, other concerns .
What act established Medicare and Medicaid
Social Security Act of 1965 signed by Johnson established Medicare for aged over 65 and Medicaid
health insurance for low income.
What was created in 1977 to combine Medicare and Medicaid?
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), the predecessor of CMS
Who does Medicaid provide services for?
low income, needy elders, blind, disabled getting SSI, certain infants and low income pregnant women.
What is Title XVIII(18)?
Regulations for Medicare. Covers hospital, post hospital, home health services and hospice.
What is Titile XIX(19)?
Regulations for Medicaid for families with children, aged, blind or disabled with low income.
What is the Impact Act of 2014?
Impoving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transitions-effective 11/19/19. Includes Discharge Planning rule,
Burden reduction and Emergency Preparedness.
What is the survey process based on?
Person centered care, resident centered outcomes, QOC and QOL.
What are the 8 principles of Documentation?
, 1. Entity Compliance or Noncompliance
2. Using plain language.
3. Components of a Deficiency statement
4. Relevance of Onsite correction of findings
5. Interpretive guidelines
6. Citation of State or local code violations
7. Cross-referencing
8. Condition of Participation Deficiencies
What are the components of a deficiency statement?
1. regulatory reference
2. deficient practice statement
3.relevance facts and findings
What are CMS core values?
1.Public service
2.Integrity
3.Accountablity
4.Excellance
5.Respect
What are the LTC Survey Core skills?
1. Resident-centered, outcome oriented information gathering
2. Critical thinking
3. Teamwork
What is the definition of Practicable
capable regardless of circumstances or resources available to support an individual, innate ability
What is iatrogenesis?
a problem that is caused by a treatment
When should you export the survey shell from ACO?
Export the shell as close to the survey as possible but no more than 5 business days before.
When should you contact the RAI coordinator?
If the number of residents is unreasonable after exporting the survey shell
Which residents are included in the survey shell?
