EDAC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A meta-analysis in EBD research is most useful because it: → Combines statistical results from multiple studies to increase power and precision
2. According to EBD research, which design element most effectively reduces nurse medication errors? → Dedicated, enclosed medication preparation rooms that minimize interruptions
3. Which patient outcome is most strongly and directly improved by reducing hospital noise levels? → Sleep quality and duration
4. EBD evidence most strongly links reduced healthcare-associated infection rates to: → Private single-patient rooms with dedicated toileting facilities
5. EBD research on noise in hospitals most strongly recommends which intervention to improve sleep? → Sound-absorbing ceiling tiles and reduced nighttime staff conversation
6. Research has most consistently associated excessive hospital noise with which patient outcome? → Disrupted sleep leading to slower recovery and longer lengths of stay
7. When EBD practitioners translate research into design decisions, what is the first recommended step? → Frame a clear question about the desired outcome
8. In evidence-based design, a 'hypothesis' is best described as: → A testable prediction about the relationship between a design element and an outcome
9. What is the primary EBD rationale for decentralized nursing stations? → They reduce nurse walking distance and increase time at the bedside
10. What is the EBD-supported role of artwork and aesthetics in patient care environments? → Nature-based art reduces anxiety and can lower the perception of pain
11. Which metric is most commonly used to measure organizational outcomes in EBD studies of hospital design? → Length of patient stay and operational cost per patient day
12. In EBD, standardized room design refers to: → Identical room layouts across a unit to reduce staff errors from unfamiliar environments
13. Which concept describes designing patient rooms that can serve multiple levels of acuity without patient transfers? → Acuity-adaptable room design
14. In EBD research, what does a systematic review primarily accomplish? → Synthesizes findings from multiple studies on a specific question
15. In the context of EBD, 'respite spaces' for staff are designed to: → Provide areas where staff can decompress, reducing burnout and medical errors
16. Which research design is considered the gold standard in evidence-based design studies? → Randomized controlled trial
17. In ICU environments, which source has research most consistently identified as the dominant and most disruptive noise contributor? → Medical equipment alarms and monitoring devices
18. What is one of the BEST ways an evidence-based design process improves the typical project delivery approach? → It includes the needs and perspectives of key stakeholders.
19. Which of the following is the final step in the Center for Health Design's EBD process? → Measure and share outcomes
20. In the context of healthcare acoustic design, 'speech privacy' refers primarily to which of the following? → Prevention of patient conversations from being understood by unintended listeners
21. Which material property rating should designers prioritize when selecting ceiling tiles to reduce noise levels within a healthcare space? → Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)
22. What is the primary unit used to measure sound pressure levels in healthcare acoustic design? → Decibel (dB)
23. The EDAC credential is administered by which organization? → The Center for Health Design (CHD)
24. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) in EBD is best described as: → A systematic assessment of a building's performance after occupants have moved in
25. Staff travel distance in a nursing unit is most directly linked to which patient safety outcome in EBD? → Response time to patient calls and emergencies
26. Which sampling method ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of selection? → Simple random sampling
27. What does 'patient-centered care' mean in the context of EBD facility design? → Design decisions are driven by patient needs, preferences, and outcomes
28. Which ceiling height and layout feature is most associated with reduced feelings of patient anxiety in evidence-based design? → Higher ceilings with access to natural light and views of nature
29. Which EBD-supported design intervention has the strongest evidence for improving patient sleep in hospitals? → Sound-absorbing materials combined with nighttime quiet protocols
30. What is a key characteristic of a quasi-experimental design in healthcare design research? → Lacks random assignment but still manipulates an independent variable