CCHP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CCHP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary purpose of a 'safety cell' or 'dry cell' in a correctional health context? → Monitoring patients who may have ingested contraband
2. Which legal standard governs the adequacy of medical care provided to pretrial detainees (those not yet convicted)? → Fourteenth Amendment due process standard
3. How many continuing education hours must a CCHP recertify with during each 3-year renewal cycle? → 45 hours
4. What is one way to earn continuing education credits for CCHP maintenance? → Attending approved correctional healthcare conferences
5. In correctional health ethics, 'therapeutic privilege' refers to the controversial practice of: → Withholding information from a patient if disclosure might cause psychological harm
6. When documenting a health appraisal, a nurse notes a patient reports heroin use three times weekly. What is the most appropriate next step? → Refer for substance use disorder evaluation and withdrawal monitoring protocol
7. What is the primary purpose of the CCHP certification eligibility criteria? → To ensure candidates have relevant experience
8. A candidate is currently under investigation by their state licensing board. Can they apply for CCHP during the investigation? → Yes, but they must disclose the investigation on the application
9. A correctional facility wants to implement a formal preceptorship program for new graduate nurses. Which outcome BEST demonstrates the program's effectiveness? → Demonstrated competency in correctional nursing skills assessed at 90-day intervals
10. What is the MOST appropriate isolation precaution for an inmate suspected of having active pulmonary tuberculosis while confirmatory tests are pending? → Airborne infection isolation in a negative-pressure room with N95 respirators for staff
11. Under PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act), which of the following is a specific obligation of correctional healthcare staff? → Provide confidential reporting options and timely access to forensic exams
12. A health assessment at intake should include which of the following regarding chronic conditions? → Documentation and treatment planning for pre-existing chronic conditions
13. Which legal case established that deliberate indifference to a serious medical need violates an inmate's Eighth Amendment rights? → Estelle v. Gamble
14. A patient in custody refuses a prescribed antipsychotic medication. The court has not issued a forced treatment order. What is the appropriate action? → Document the refusal and respect the patient's decision unless imminent danger exists
15. Which of the following scenarios MOST clearly demonstrates a conflict of interest that a correctional health employee must disclose? → Having a family member as an inmate in the facility where they work
16. What type of work setting is required for eligibility for the CCHP exam? → Correctional facility
17. How many examination windows per year does NCCHC typically offer for the CCHP exam? → Two windows per year
18. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is consistently missing chronic care clinic appointments due to work assignment conflicts. What is the best corrective approach? → Coordinate with custody staff to reschedule appointments around work assignments
19. Which credential is recognized by NCCHC as satisfying the professional license requirement for CCHP eligibility? → A current, unrestricted license, registration, or certification in a healthcare field
20. Incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness are most likely to be prescribed which class of medication that requires regular metabolic monitoring? → Atypical antipsychotics
21. Which of the following settings would NOT typically be recognized as a qualifying correctional health environment for CCHP? → A hospital emergency department that occasionally treats arrested individuals
22. Which constitutional amendment is most directly implicated when an inmate in a pretrial detention facility is denied necessary medical care? → Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause
23. A diabetic inmate reports tingling and burning in both feet that worsens at night. Which complication does this presentation MOST suggest? → Diabetic peripheral neuropathy requiring assessment and pain management
24. When developing a treatment plan for a patient with both a substance use disorder and a serious mental illness, the most effective approach is: → Use an integrated co-occurring disorder treatment model
25. A correctional health team is planning an influenza vaccination campaign. Which group within the incarcerated population should be PRIORITIZED? → Inmates with chronic medical conditions, immunosuppression, and those over age 65
26. Which medication administration route requires the MOST caution regarding inmate diversion in a correctional setting? → Sublingual or crushed oral tablets
27. A pregnant inmate at 36 weeks gestation is brought to the health unit in active labor. The most immediate nursing action is: → Assess fetal heart rate, contraction frequency, and cervical dilation
28. During intake screening, a nurse observes an inmate showing signs of alcohol withdrawal. The most appropriate immediate action is to: → Refer for urgent clinical evaluation and monitoring
29. A patient with a history of self-harm is placed in a mental health observation unit. Which therapeutic intervention best supports recovery-oriented care? → Engaging the patient in a collaborative safety planning discussion
30. A correctional health program is evaluating its ethics compliance. Which metric BEST reflects adherence to the principle of justice in delivering care? → Consistency of care provided regardless of an inmate's offense type or behavior