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

When a provider orders a panel (orderable), the laboratory performs multiple individual tests. The components are the discrete result values returned. Understanding this distinction is important for configuring order catalogs and result displays.

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

Order priorities communicate clinical urgency: STAT (immediate, life-threatening) → ASAP (urgent but not immediately life-threatening) → Routine (standard turnaround). Labs, radiology, and pharmacy use priorities to triage their workloads.

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 are administered at scheduled intervals (q8h, BID, daily). PRN (pro re nata = 'as needed') orders are given when specific conditions are met, allowing nurses to administer without calling the physician each time, within defined parameters.

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

Answer

Reflex testing automatically adds downstream tests when initial results meet specified criteria. For example, a positive hepatitis B surface antigen automatically reflexes to additional hepatitis B tests. This reduces delayed diagnosis without requiring extra provider orders.

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

Answer

Results routing rules determine who receives lab, radiology, and other results in their EHR inbox. Routing considers: ordering provider, covering provider, care team role, and result criticality. Critical values are routed urgently to the responsible provider.

Epic Skills Assessment Practice Test

Epic Skills Assessment Practice Test

Epic Skills Assessment Order Entry and Results 1