Practice Test Geeks(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test
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Quality Assurance & Standards Flashcards

7 cards from real CCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Quality Assurance & Standards flashcards as text

  1. Which PDSA cycle phase involves executing a small-scale test of a quality improvement intervention before broader implementation?

    Answer: Do

    The 'Do' phase involves carrying out the planned intervention on a small scale, collecting data as the test unfolds.

  2. In the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, which risk model is used to calculate expected operative mortality for isolated CABG for benchmarking purposes?

    Answer: STS PROM (Predicted Risk of Mortality)

    The STS Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM) model, derived from the STS database itself, is used to calculate risk-adjusted expected mortality for benchmarking CABG outcomes.

  3. A cardiovascular quality team wants to reduce unnecessary repeat echocardiograms in stable heart failure patients. Which tool is MOST effective for identifying the root causes of overutilization?

    Answer: Cause-and-effect (Ishikawa) diagram

    A cause-and-effect (fishbone/Ishikawa) diagram systematically maps potential root causes of a problem, making it ideal for exploring drivers of overutilization before designing interventions.

  4. Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for echocardiography classify an indication as 'Rarely Appropriate' when:

    Answer: The expected incremental information does not justify the risk or cost in most clinical situations

    A 'Rarely Appropriate' AUC rating means that the test is not generally acceptable and not generally reasonable because its expected benefit does not justify cost or risk in most situations.

  5. Which regulatory body oversees radiation safety and radioactive materials licensing for nuclear cardiology laboratories in most U.S. states?

    Answer: Agreement State radiation control programs (or the NRC in non-agreement states)

    Radioactive materials used in nuclear cardiology are licensed by Agreement State radiation control programs in most U.S. states, or directly by the NRC in non-agreement states.

  6. A cath lab tracks fluoroscopy time and radiation dose per procedure as quality indicators. If average air kerma exceeds the Joint Commission's 'substantial radiation dose' threshold during a diagnostic angiogram, what is required?

    Answer: Mandatory disclosure to the patient and documentation in the medical record

    The Joint Commission requires that patients who receive a substantial radiation dose (≥15 Gy skin dose equivalent for fluoroscopy-guided procedures) be informed and the event documented in the medical record.

  7. Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'reliability' as applied to a cardiovascular quality measure?

    Answer: The measure produces consistent results when applied to the same data by different reviewers or at different times

    Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of a measure—whether it yields the same result under the same conditions, regardless of who applies it.