CEHRS - Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Patient Portal and Education Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient calls the clinic stating they cannot see their recent lab results on the patient portal, though their provider said the results would be available. What is the MOST likely reason for this issue that a CEHRS should investigate first?

Accepted Answer

The lab results have not yet been reviewed and electronically released by the provider.

Answer

Many EHR systems have a default workflow where diagnostic results are held in a provider's inbox for review before being released to the patient portal. This is a safety measure to ensure a provider can add context or contact the patient about sensitive results. It is the most common and logical first place for a CEHRS to check.

Question 2

Which federal incentive program, now part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), was instrumental in promoting the adoption of patient portals to meet patient engagement objectives?

Accepted Answer

Meaningful Use

Answer

The Meaningful Use program (now called Promoting Interoperability within MIPS) included specific objectives that required eligible professionals and hospitals to provide patients with timely online access to their health information, a requirement primarily met through the implementation and use of patient portals.

Question 3

A CEHRS is assisting an elderly patient who is hesitant to use the patient portal, stating they are not comfortable with computers. Which of the following is the MOST effective educational strategy?

Accepted Answer

Offering a brief, in-person demonstration of a single, high-value feature, such as viewing appointments.

Answer

For patients with low technical literacy, a hands-on, simplified demonstration is the most effective approach. It builds confidence by focusing on one relevant task, making the technology seem less intimidating and more manageable than a large manual or self-service online help resources.

Question 4

Which of the following is a primary function of the 'secure messaging' feature within a patient portal?

Accepted Answer

To enable HIPAA-compliant, non-urgent communication between the patient and the care team.

Answer

Secure messaging is designed as a HIPAA-compliant tool for non-urgent communication, such as asking follow-up questions, requesting prescription refills, or clarifying instructions. Portals explicitly state that this feature should not be used for medical emergencies.

Question 5

When a CEHRS is enrolling a new patient for portal access at the clinic, which step is MOST critical for authenticating the patient's identity and protecting their health information?

Accepted Answer

Verifying the patient's identity using a government-issued photo ID.

Answer

Before granting access to sensitive ePHI, HIPAA's Person or Entity Authentication standard requires the covered entity to verify that the individual is who they claim to be. Using a government-issued photo ID is a standard and reliable method for identity proofing in person.

(CEHRS) Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Practice Test

(CEHRS) Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Practice Test

CEHRS - Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist Patient Portal and Education Questions and Answers