SMQT EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. Which Task in the Survey Process involves the team gathering to integrate their findings
and determine if a deficiency exists?
A. Task 4: Information Gathering
B. Task 5: Information Synthesis
C. Task 6: Deficiency Determination
D. Task 7: Exit Conference
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Task 6 (Deficiency Determination) is the critical phase where
the survey team reviews all collected evidence to determine if a facility met the regulatory
requirements.
2. In the Scope and Severity matrix, a ‘Level 3’ severity is defined as:
A. Actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy
B. No actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm that is not immediate
jeopardy
C. Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety
,D. No actual harm with potential for minimal harm
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Severity Level 3 indicates that the deficiency resulted in actual
harm to a resident, but did not reach the level of Immediate Jeopardy.
3. When writing a deficiency statement, which of the following is considered the most critical
component of the ‘Evidence’ section?
A. A summary of facility policy
B. The surveyor’s personal opinion on how to fix the problem
C. Specific observations, interviews, and record reviews linked to the regulatory failure
D. A list of all residents in the facility
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Evidence must be objective and based on the triad of
information gathering: observation, interview, and record review, specifically proving how
the facility failed the regulation.
4. Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) requires three specific components. Which of the following is NOT
one of them?
A. Harm
B. Intent
C. Culpability
, D. Immediacy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: IJ requires Harm (or high likelihood of), Immediacy, and
Culpability (the facility knew or should have known). Intent is not a requirement for a
finding of IJ.
5. During a survey, what is the primary purpose of the ‘Off-site Survey Preparation’?
A. To write the final report before arriving
B. To analyze facility data and identify potential areas of concern for investigation
C. To notify the facility of the exact arrival time
D. To interview family members over the phone
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Surveyors review CASPER reports, MDS data, and previous
complaints to focus the upcoming on-site investigation.
6. A deficiency is categorized as ‘Widespread’ in scope if:
A. It affects one or two residents
B. It happens only on the night shift
C. It is a systemic failure that has the potential to affect a large portion or all of the facility’s
residents
D. It involves only the dietary department
AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. Which Task in the Survey Process involves the team gathering to integrate their findings
and determine if a deficiency exists?
A. Task 4: Information Gathering
B. Task 5: Information Synthesis
C. Task 6: Deficiency Determination
D. Task 7: Exit Conference
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Task 6 (Deficiency Determination) is the critical phase where
the survey team reviews all collected evidence to determine if a facility met the regulatory
requirements.
2. In the Scope and Severity matrix, a ‘Level 3’ severity is defined as:
A. Actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy
B. No actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm that is not immediate
jeopardy
C. Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety
,D. No actual harm with potential for minimal harm
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Severity Level 3 indicates that the deficiency resulted in actual
harm to a resident, but did not reach the level of Immediate Jeopardy.
3. When writing a deficiency statement, which of the following is considered the most critical
component of the ‘Evidence’ section?
A. A summary of facility policy
B. The surveyor’s personal opinion on how to fix the problem
C. Specific observations, interviews, and record reviews linked to the regulatory failure
D. A list of all residents in the facility
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Evidence must be objective and based on the triad of
information gathering: observation, interview, and record review, specifically proving how
the facility failed the regulation.
4. Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) requires three specific components. Which of the following is NOT
one of them?
A. Harm
B. Intent
C. Culpability
, D. Immediacy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: IJ requires Harm (or high likelihood of), Immediacy, and
Culpability (the facility knew or should have known). Intent is not a requirement for a
finding of IJ.
5. During a survey, what is the primary purpose of the ‘Off-site Survey Preparation’?
A. To write the final report before arriving
B. To analyze facility data and identify potential areas of concern for investigation
C. To notify the facility of the exact arrival time
D. To interview family members over the phone
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Surveyors review CASPER reports, MDS data, and previous
complaints to focus the upcoming on-site investigation.
6. A deficiency is categorized as ‘Widespread’ in scope if:
A. It affects one or two residents
B. It happens only on the night shift
C. It is a systemic failure that has the potential to affect a large portion or all of the facility’s
residents
D. It involves only the dietary department
