Epic Skills Assessment Order Entry and Results 1

Question 1

In a CPOE system, what is an 'orderable' vs. a 'test component'?

Accepted Answer

An orderable is what the provider orders (e.g., 'Comprehensive Metabolic Panel'); test components are the individual results it produces (Na, K, BUN, glucose, etc.)

Answer

An orderable is a nursing task; a test component is a physician order

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Orderables are only medications; test components are all other orders

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They are interchangeable terms for the same item

Question 2

What is the purpose of an 'order priority' (STAT, Routine, ASAP) in order entry?

Accepted Answer

To communicate urgency to the performing department, determining turnaround time expectations and workflow prioritization

Answer

To determine the billing cost level of the order

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To indicate which provider has authority to place the order

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To specify which time of day the order is performed

Question 3

What is a 'standing order,' and how does it differ from a 'PRN order'?

Accepted Answer

A standing order is given on a schedule (every 8 hours); a PRN order is given as needed based on specific conditions (if pain ≥4, give analgesic)

Answer

Standing orders require physician signature each time; PRN orders do not

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PRN orders are standing orders placed on hold

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They are identical but used in different departments

Question 4

What is a 'reflexive test' in laboratory order management?

Accepted Answer

A test that is automatically added by the lab based on a preliminary result — e.g., if urinalysis is abnormal, urine culture is reflexed without a new order

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A test that is cancelled if the patient doesn't respond to initial treatment

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A repeated lab test performed at the same time every day

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A test that is ordered in response to a physician order regardless of results

Question 5

What does 'results routing' refer to in an EHR's laboratory workflow?

Accepted Answer

The configuration determining which provider's inbox receives which results based on ordering provider, patient assignment, department, and result criticality

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The physical transport route for lab specimens from floor to laboratory

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The process of transmitting results to the patient portal only

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The network pathway for transmitting result data between systems

Question 6

What is a 'verbal order' in clinical practice, and what documentation requirements apply?

Accepted Answer

An order communicated verbally by a provider to an authorized receiver (nurse/pharmacist), which must be documented in the EHR and cosigned by the ordering provider within the required timeframe

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An order placed without any documentation required

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Any order communicated face-to-face rather than in writing

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An order that only applies until the physician can write a formal order

Question 7

What is the purpose of a 'specimen label' in the laboratory order process?

Accepted Answer

To positively identify the specimen with patient name, MRN, date/time of collection, and test ordered, linking it to the correct order for chain of custody and result reporting

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To indicate the department that placed the order

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To show the billing code for the laboratory test

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To display storage temperature requirements for the specimen

Question 8

In radiology order management, what is a 'clinical indication,' and why is it required?

Accepted Answer

The clinical reason for ordering the imaging study, required to justify appropriateness, guide the radiologist's interpretation, and support insurance authorization

Answer

The name of the referring physician

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The technical parameters for the imaging equipment

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The patient's insurance information for prior authorization

Question 9

What is 'order expiration' in medication management, and why do orders expire?

Accepted Answer

Orders are automatically discontinued after a defined period (e.g., controlled substances every 72 hours, antibiotics every 7 days) requiring re-evaluation and renewal to prevent indefinite continuation

Answer

Orders expire when the patient leaves the hospital

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Orders expire when the medication is dispensed once

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Orders expire only when the prescriber cancels them

Question 10

What is a 'cumulative results' view in an EHR lab results display?

Accepted Answer

A table showing the same test results over multiple dates, allowing trend analysis and comparison of how values have changed over time

Answer

A list of all tests ordered for a patient during one encounter

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The total cost accumulated from all laboratory tests ordered

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A report showing all pending (not yet resulted) orders