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. When EBD practitioners translate research into design decisions, what is the first recommended step? → Frame a clear question about the desired outcome
7. In evidence-based design, a 'hypothesis' is best described as: → A testable prediction about the relationship between a design element and an outcome
8. What is the primary EBD rationale for decentralized nursing stations? → They reduce nurse walking distance and increase time at the bedside
9. 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
10. 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
11. In EBD, standardized room design refers to: → Identical room layouts across a unit to reduce staff errors from unfamiliar environments
12. Which concept describes designing patient rooms that can serve multiple levels of acuity without patient transfers? → Acuity-adaptable room design
13. In EBD research, what does a systematic review primarily accomplish? → Synthesizes findings from multiple studies on a specific question
14. In the context of EBD, 'respite spaces' for staff are designed to: → Provide areas where staff can decompress, reducing burnout and medical errors
15. Which research design is considered the gold standard in evidence-based design studies? → Randomized controlled trial
16. 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.
17. Which of the following is the final step in the Center for Health Design's EBD process? → Measure and share outcomes
18. 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
19. What is the primary unit used to measure sound pressure levels in healthcare acoustic design? → Decibel (dB)
20. The EDAC credential is administered by which organization? → The Center for Health Design (CHD)
21. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) in EBD is best described as: → A systematic assessment of a building's performance after occupants have moved in
22. 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
23. Which sampling method ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of selection? → Simple random sampling
24. What does 'patient-centered care' mean in the context of EBD facility design? → Design decisions are driven by patient needs, preferences, and outcomes
25. 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
26. Which EBD-supported design intervention has the strongest evidence for improving patient sleep in hospitals? → Sound-absorbing materials combined with nighttime quiet protocols
27. What is a key characteristic of a quasi-experimental design in healthcare design research? → Lacks random assignment but still manipulates an independent variable
28. The concept of 'psychosocial support' in healthcare design refers to: → Spaces and features that facilitate emotional support from family, staff, and peers
29. Which evidence-based design strategy most directly reduces nurse burnout and staff turnover? → Providing dedicated staff respite areas and reducing unnecessary walking distance
30. Which positioning of handwashing sinks is most supported by EBD for maximizing compliance? → Immediately inside the room entrance, visible upon entry