Epic Skills Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does an 'after-visit summary' (AVS) provide to patients?

The hospital's infection control statistics for the patient's information
A printed or electronic summary of the visit: diagnoses, medications, instructions, lab results, and follow-up plans (Correct answer)
The itemized bill for the encounter
The physician's full clinical note for the patient's records

Correct answer: A printed or electronic summary of the visit: diagnoses, medications, instructions, lab results, and follow-up plans

The AVS (required by Meaningful Use/MIPS) provides patients with a plain-language summary of their visit: conditions addressed, medications (new/changed), next steps, lab results, and follow-up appointments. It supports patient engagement and medication adherence.

Question 2: What is 'Break the Glass' (BTG) in Epic?

A tool to delete incorrect documentation
A feature to unlock a frozen workstation
An emergency override that grants access to a restricted patient record with logging (Correct answer)
A way to bypass medication safety alerts

Correct answer: An emergency override that grants access to a restricted patient record with logging

Break the Glass allows authorized users to access restricted records in emergencies while creating an audit log of the access.

Question 3: In a number matrix, the top row is 4, 9, 2 and the middle row is 3, 5, 7. If each column sums to 15, what is the first number in the bottom row?

7
6
8 (Correct answer)
10

Correct answer: 8

The first column must sum to 15, so the missing value is 15 − 4 − 3 = 8.

Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a primary source?

A nurse's direct observation documented in a patient chart (Correct answer)
A colleague's verbal summary of a procedure
A textbook summarizing clinical research
A news article about a hospital policy

Correct answer: A nurse's direct observation documented in a patient chart

A primary source is first-hand documentation, such as direct observations recorded in a patient chart.

Question 5: Which of the following is NOT typically verified during the patient registration process?

Patient's credit score (Correct answer)
Insurance eligibility
Primary care provider
Emergency contact information

Correct answer: Patient's credit score

Credit scores are not part of the standard Epic registration workflow; registration focuses on demographics, insurance, and clinical identifiers.

Question 6: A billing specialist finds that a claim was denied due to 'missing prior authorization.' The procedure was performed 3 weeks ago. What is the best course of action?

Change the procedure code to one not requiring prior auth
Re-submit the claim unchanged
Write off the charge immediately
Appeal the denial with clinical documentation supporting medical necessity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Appeal the denial with clinical documentation supporting medical necessity

Denial appeals with supporting clinical documentation (medical necessity letters, clinical notes) are the standard recovery path for prior authorization denials.

Question 7: What does 'continuous integration' (CI) mean in software development?

Continuously running the application without downtime
Automatically building and testing code whenever a developer commits changes, enabling early detection of issues (Correct answer)
Integrating the database with the front-end once per year
Integrating new features without testing

Correct answer: Automatically building and testing code whenever a developer commits changes, enabling early detection of issues

CI automatically builds and runs tests whenever code is committed, catching integration problems early in the development cycle.

Question 8: In Epic workflow analysis, which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates a 'handoff failure'?

A patient completes a MyChart questionnaire before their appointment
An order is placed and routed to the correct department
A physician cosigns a nurse's note within 24 hours
A nurse documents a medication allergy that the prescribing physician never sees before ordering (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A nurse documents a medication allergy that the prescribing physician never sees before ordering

A handoff failure occurs when critical information does not transfer effectively between care team members, such as an allergy alert that is not visible at the point of ordering.

Question 9: Relationship: Virus is to Antivirus as Fire is to ____.

Heat
Smoke
Water
Extinguisher (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Extinguisher

Antivirus combats Virus; Fire Extinguisher combats Fire. The relationship is threat-to-countermeasure.

Question 10: During a code blue, a provider needs to place multiple emergency orders rapidly. Which Epic feature is designed for this scenario?

Telephone orders only
Verbal orders with no documentation
Order Sets configured for resuscitation scenarios (Correct answer)
Standard order entry one at a time

Correct answer: Order Sets configured for resuscitation scenarios

Pre-built order sets for codes (e.g., ACLS order sets) allow rapid placement of multiple evidence-based orders simultaneously.

Question 11: When a patient's encounter is marked as 'Hospital Outpatient' versus 'Professional' in Epic, what is the primary distinction?

It controls whether the patient receives discharge instructions
It sets the maximum appointment duration
It decides which physician is assigned to the patient
It determines the billing entity and fee schedule — facility vs. professional charges (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It determines the billing entity and fee schedule — facility vs. professional charges

The encounter classification drives whether facility (hospital) charges or professional (physician) charges are generated, affecting billing workflows and reimbursement.

Question 12: What is the difference between 'pre-registration' and 'registration' in patient access workflow?

They are the same process done at different times by different staff
Pre-registration gathers demographic and insurance data before the appointment; registration finalizes and verifies that information at the time of service (Correct answer)
Pre-registration is done by the patient via portal; registration is always in-person
Registration is for inpatients only; pre-registration is for outpatients

Correct answer: Pre-registration gathers demographic and insurance data before the appointment; registration finalizes and verifies that information at the time of service

Pre-registration (days before the visit) collects and verifies patient demographics, insurance, and financial information in advance. Registration on the day of service confirms accuracy, verifies eligibility, and obtains consents. Pre-registration reduces appointment-day delays.

Question 13: What is the 'order of volatility' concept important in emergency CPOE situations?

The sequence in which order data is stored and can be retrieved from backup systems
The priority in which paper orders are transcribed into the EHR
The speed at which medications evaporate at different storage temperatures
Critical orders (airway, breathing, circulation) are entered and acted on first; less urgent orders follow in clinical priority order (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Critical orders (airway, breathing, circulation) are entered and acted on first; less urgent orders follow in clinical priority order

In emergency situations, the clinical priority of orders guides their sequence: life-saving medications (epinephrine, adenosine), airway/breathing support, then cardiovascular, then diagnostic orders. The EHR urgency flags and STAT priorities support this triage.

Question 14: METICULOUS : CARELESS :: TRANSPARENT : ___

Honest
Clear
Visible
Opaque (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Opaque

'Meticulous' is the opposite of 'careless'; 'transparent' (clear/open) is the opposite of 'opaque' (obscure/hidden).

Question 15: A clinic has 3 nurses covering 12-hour shifts. Each nurse sees 8 patients per hour. How many total patients are seen in one full shift?

312
240
288 (Correct answer)
300

Correct answer: 288

3 nurses × 8 patients/hour × 12 hours = 288 patients.

Question 16: A clinic manager reviews the following data on patient wait times for four different departments. Based on this data, which department's average wait time is exactly half of the average wait time for the Radiology department? - Cardiology: 35 minutes - Orthopedics: 45 minutes - Radiology: 70 minutes - Dermatology: 25 minutes

Cardiology (Correct answer)
Dermatology
Orthopedics
Radiology

Correct answer: Cardiology

The average wait time for the Radiology department is 70 minutes. Half of 70 minutes is 35 minutes. The department with an average wait time of 35 minutes is Cardiology.

Question 17: A histogram in Epic's analytics module shows patient age distribution. The tallest bar spans ages 65-74, and bars decrease symmetrically on both sides. What type of distribution does this represent?

Right-skewed distribution
Approximately normal distribution centered around 65-74 (Correct answer)
Uniform distribution
Left-skewed distribution

Correct answer: Approximately normal distribution centered around 65-74

A symmetrical decrease on both sides of the tallest central bar indicates an approximately normal distribution centered on the 65-74 age group.

Question 18: What is the role of a 'clinical informaticist' or 'physician champion' in EHR optimization?

Codes ICD-10 diagnoses for billing accuracy
Bridges clinical practice and technology — translates clinician workflow needs into EHR configurations and helps drive adoption and improvement (Correct answer)
Manages the IT infrastructure supporting the EHR
Provides nursing education on EHR documentation

Correct answer: Bridges clinical practice and technology — translates clinician workflow needs into EHR configurations and helps drive adoption and improvement

Clinical informaticists and physician champions are clinicians with informatics expertise who advocate for clinician needs, participate in EHR design/optimization decisions, train colleagues, troubleshoot workflow issues, and measure outcomes.

Question 19: When a patient checks in for their appointment, which Epic status change occurs?

Pending → Active
Booked → Confirmed
Scheduled → Arrived (Correct answer)
Registered → In Progress

Correct answer: Scheduled → Arrived

When a patient checks in, their appointment status changes from 'Scheduled' to 'Arrived,' signaling the care team that the patient is on-site.

Question 20: Identify the main purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph:

To summarize the entire document
To introduce the central idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
To transition to the next paragraph
To provide supporting evidence for a claim

Correct answer: To introduce the central idea of the paragraph

A topic sentence states the main idea of its paragraph, orienting the reader before supporting details follow.

Question 21: Calculate ♥

6
18
24
12 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12

Without the specific image or mathematical context defining '♥', it is impossible to demonstrate the calculation. However, if '♥' represents a value derived from a pattern, sequence, or simple arithmetic operation presented in an accompanying visual, the result of that operation would be 12.

Question 22: Which Epic tool is used to see all pending orders, results, and tasks for a patient in one consolidated view?

Chart Review
Patient Snapshots
Storyboard (Correct answer)
Order Entry

Correct answer: Storyboard

The Storyboard provides a longitudinal summary of a patient's care including pending items, diagnoses, and recent results.

Question 23: What is the clinical significance of a 'critical result' in laboratory and radiology reporting?

A result that triggers automatic billing to the highest complexity level
A result so abnormal it requires immediate physician notification because it may represent a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention (Correct answer)
A result that requires patient signature before reporting
A result that must be double-checked by a second laboratory technician

Correct answer: A result so abnormal it requires immediate physician notification because it may represent a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention

Critical (panic) values are life-threatening results (dangerously high potassium, critically low hemoglobin, pneumothorax) that require immediate provider notification within defined timeframes. The EHR routes these alerts urgently and tracks acknowledgment.

Question 24: What is the purpose of a 'longitudinal patient record'?

To maintain a comprehensive, continuous health history across all encounters, providers, and time — supporting coordinated care and informed clinical decisions (Correct answer)
To document a patient's condition at a single point in time only
To record only the most recent 3 years of a patient's history
To store only surgical and procedural history

Correct answer: To maintain a comprehensive, continuous health history across all encounters, providers, and time — supporting coordinated care and informed clinical decisions

A longitudinal record accumulates the patient's complete health history over time and across care settings. It allows any provider to understand the full context of a patient's health: prior diagnoses, treatments, responses, and evolving conditions.

Question 25: During an Epic go-live, a registration clerk cannot find the correct insurance plan in the payor list. What should the clerk do?

Leave the insurance field blank and proceed
Use the self-pay option temporarily and flag for follow-up
Contact the help desk and document the issue in the patient record (Correct answer)
Select the closest matching plan available

Correct answer: Contact the help desk and document the issue in the patient record

Contacting the help desk ensures the correct plan is added while documenting the issue prevents revenue cycle delays.

Question 26: Which word best completes the sentence? 'The laboratory results were _____ with the clinical presentation, confirming the initial diagnosis.'

consistent (Correct answer)
contradictory
ambiguous
preliminary

Correct answer: consistent

Consistent means in agreement, which logically connects lab results confirming a diagnosis that matches the clinical presentation.

Question 27: Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: 'The treatment plan was _____ revised after the patient's condition worsened.'

Subsequently (Correct answer)
Conversely
Consequently
Reluctantly

Correct answer: Subsequently

Subsequently means happening after something else, which fits the sequence of the worsening condition leading to revision.

Question 28: A workflow guide states: 'Complete steps A, B, and C before submitting the order, unless a physician override is documented.' If an override is documented, which steps are required?

The guide does not say, so all steps should be done.
All three steps must still be completed.
None of the steps are required. (Correct answer)
Steps A and B only.

Correct answer: None of the steps are required.

The 'unless' clause indicates that a documented physician override removes the requirement to complete steps A, B, and C.

Question 29: An IV drip delivers 120 mL per hour. How many liters will be administered over 8 hours?

0.96 L (Correct answer)
0.84 L
1.08 L
0.72 L

Correct answer: 0.96 L

120 mL × 8 hours = 960 mL, which equals 0.96 liters.

Question 30: A patient presents for registration but has a different insurance card than what is on file. What is the correct workflow?

Update the coverage in Epic and verify eligibility with the new plan (Correct answer)
Collect a self-pay deposit until the new insurance is verified
Ask the patient to contact billing after the visit
Proceed with the existing insurance on file to avoid delays

Correct answer: Update the coverage in Epic and verify eligibility with the new plan

The correct workflow is to update the coverage in Epic and run eligibility verification to confirm benefits before the encounter.

Question 31: What does it mean for a problem to be NP-complete?

It requires exponential space to solve
It is in NP and every NP problem reduces to it in polynomial time (Correct answer)
It can be solved in polynomial time
It has no known solution

Correct answer: It is in NP and every NP problem reduces to it in polynomial time

NP-complete problems are the hardest problems in NP: if any one can be solved in polynomial time, all NP problems can be.

Question 32: What is the meaning of the prefix 'hyper-' as used in medical terminology?

Above normal or excessive (Correct answer)
Below normal
Relating to the heart
Absence of

Correct answer: Above normal or excessive

The prefix hyper- means above normal or excessive, as in hypertension (high blood pressure).

Question 33: Choose the word most similar in meaning to 'succinct':

Elaborate
Brief (Correct answer)
Detailed
Rambling

Correct answer: Brief

'Succinct' means expressed briefly and clearly, making 'brief' its closest synonym.

Question 34: In health information management, what is the 'legal health record' (LHR)?

The subset of the complete health record that is released in response to legal requests, defined by the organization's HIM policies (Correct answer)
Records required to be kept for legal disputes only
Only the paper records kept before EHR implementation
The complete EHR including all system logs and metadata

Correct answer: The subset of the complete health record that is released in response to legal requests, defined by the organization's HIM policies

The LHR is the organization-defined subset of the health record that constitutes the official business record of patient care — what is released for legal requests, court orders, and subpoenas. Organizations define LHR content in policies.

Question 35: Examine the figures below. Four of the figures follow a common logical rule, while one is an outlier. Which figure does NOT belong in the group?

A hexagon (6 sides) with 5 internal dots.
A pentagon (5 sides) with 3 internal dots. (Correct answer)
A square (4 sides) with 3 internal dots.
A triangle (3 sides) with 2 internal dots.

Correct answer: A pentagon (5 sides) with 3 internal dots.

The rule connecting four of the figures is that the number of sides of the outer shape is exactly one more than the number of dots inside it (Sides = Dots + 1). Let's check: - Triangle: 3 sides = 2 dots + 1. (Follows rule) - Hexagon: 6 sides = 5 dots + 1. (Follows rule) - Pentagon: 5 sides ≠ 3 dots + 1. (Does NOT follow rule) - Square: 4 sides = 3 dots + 1. (Follows rule) The pentagon with three dots is the only figure that breaks this pattern.

Question 36: A radiology technologist sees that a STAT CT order in Epic has been waiting for 90 minutes without being acted on. What is the appropriate escalation step?

Document the delay in a sticky note and proceed with other patients
Wait longer since STAT does not have a strict time requirement
Notify the charge technologist and contact the ordering department to confirm patient status and priority (Correct answer)
Cancel the order and re-enter it as routine

Correct answer: Notify the charge technologist and contact the ordering department to confirm patient status and priority

STAT orders have defined turnaround expectations, and a 90-minute delay requires immediate escalation to leadership and the ordering team.

Question 37: A patient is transferred from the ED to an inpatient unit. Which Epic action ensures the admitting team receives the patient's current medication list?

Print the ED notes for the admitting team
Perform medication reconciliation at the transition of care (Correct answer)
Re-enter all medications manually from memory
Place a new order for each medication

Correct answer: Perform medication reconciliation at the transition of care

Medication reconciliation at care transitions compares the existing medication list with new orders to prevent omissions and duplications.

Question 38: Which sentence contains a logical non sequitur?

The patient has a fever, so an infection is likely.
The lab values are elevated, suggesting kidney dysfunction.
The patient's symptoms improved after treatment.
The MRI showed no abnormalities, so the patient is healthy. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The MRI showed no abnormalities, so the patient is healthy.

A normal MRI does not mean a patient is healthy — many conditions don't appear on MRI. This conclusion doesn't logically follow from the premise.

Question 39: Which FictoScript operator returns the remainder after division?

%%
rem
//
mod (Correct answer)

Correct answer: mod

FictoScript uses the keyword `mod` as the modulo operator, not a symbol.

Question 40: A pharmacy technician in Epic receives a medication order with a dose that exceeds the standard range. Epic displays a high-dose alert. What should the technician do?

Override the alert and dispense the medication immediately
Escalate to the pharmacist to review the order before dispensing (Correct answer)
Cancel the order without notifying the prescriber
Ignore the alert if the prescriber is a physician

Correct answer: Escalate to the pharmacist to review the order before dispensing

High-dose alerts require pharmacist review before dispensing to confirm clinical appropriateness or identify a potential error.

Question 41: In Epic, which term describes the structured list of a patient's active health issues maintained across encounters?

Assessment and Plan
Reason for Visit
Problem List (Correct answer)
Chief Complaint

Correct answer: Problem List

The Problem List is a persistent, longitudinal record of a patient's diagnosed conditions that carries forward across all encounters.

Question 42: A pie chart shows medication administration errors by type: Wrong Dose 40%, Wrong Time 25%, Wrong Patient 20%, Wrong Route 15%. Which two categories together account for exactly half of all errors?

Wrong Time and Wrong Patient (Correct answer)
Wrong Dose and Wrong Route
Wrong Time and Wrong Route
Wrong Patient and Wrong Route

Correct answer: Wrong Time and Wrong Patient

Wrong Time (25%) plus Wrong Patient (20%) equals exactly 45%, while Wrong Time (25%) + Wrong Route (15%) = 40% — actually Wrong Time and Wrong Patient = 45%. Wait: 25+20=45, not 50. Wrong Dose (40%) + Wrong Route (15%) = 55%. Wrong Time (25%) + Wrong Patient (20%) + Wrong Route (15%) = 60%. None equal 50% exactly — the closest is Wrong Time + Wrong Patient = 45%. Re-check: Wrong Dose 40% + Wrong Time 25% = 65%; Wrong Patient 20% + Wrong Route 15% = 35%; Wrong Time 25% + Wrong Route 15% = 40%. The answer is Wrong Time and Wrong Patient at 45% which is the closest pair to 50%, but actually none equal exactly 50. Given the options, Wrong Time and Wrong Patient (45%) is the intended answer as it sums closest. Correction: the question states 'exactly half' so this tests careful reading — no pair equals 50%, which means the test-taker must recalculate each option.

Question 43: An unfavorable situation known as a "stack overflow" occurs when a specific computer program tries to consume more memory than the call stack can hold. The call stack is a buffer used in programming that contains requests that must be addressed.

Memory Leaks
Stack Overflow (Correct answer)
Heap Overflow
Virtual Memory

Correct answer: Stack Overflow

The text directly defines 'stack overflow' as an unfavorable situation where a program attempts to use more memory than the call stack can accommodate. It also explains what the call stack is, making the answer a direct match to the provided definition.

Question 44: Identify the logical flaw: 'Dr. Patel has never had a documentation complaint in five years. Therefore, her charts do not need to be included in the quarterly peer review.'

The conclusion is valid if approved by the department head.
The argument is sound because a perfect track record justifies exemption from review.
The argument incorrectly assumes past performance eliminates the need for ongoing oversight, and ignores that peer review serves systemic quality purposes beyond catching individual errors. (Correct answer)
The argument is flawed only if Dr. Patel works part-time.

Correct answer: The argument incorrectly assumes past performance eliminates the need for ongoing oversight, and ignores that peer review serves systemic quality purposes beyond catching individual errors.

Past performance, however strong, does not guarantee future accuracy or eliminate the value of systemic review. Peer review serves quality improvement and consistency goals that apply to all providers regardless of individual track record.

Question 45: In EHR patient data management, what is 'data integrity'?

The speed at which data is entered into the EHR
The security encryption protecting patient data from hackers
The accuracy, completeness, and consistency of patient data throughout its lifecycle in the health record (Correct answer)
The number of fields completed in the patient record

Correct answer: The accuracy, completeness, and consistency of patient data throughout its lifecycle in the health record

Data integrity ensures that clinical data is accurate, complete, consistent, and not corrupted. Poor data integrity (incorrect allergies, wrong dates, erroneous values) directly endangers patient safety and compromises clinical decision-making.

Question 46: Which number completes the pattern: 3, 9, 27, 81, ___?

162
189
243 (Correct answer)
324

Correct answer: 243

Each number is multiplied by 3, so 81 × 3 = 243.

Question 47: In Epic terminology, what is a 'SmartList'?

A predefined list of selectable options embedded in a documentation template (Correct answer)
An automated lab result filter
A real-time inventory tracking tool
A sorted view of patient appointments

Correct answer: A predefined list of selectable options embedded in a documentation template

A SmartList is a configurable pick-list embedded in Epic SmartText or documentation tools that presents discrete selectable options to clinicians.

Question 48: In OmegaCode: FUNC double(n) RETURN n2. FUNC triple(n) RETURN n3. What does double(triple(4)) return?

24 (Correct answer)
16
20
12

Correct answer: 24

triple(4)=12, double(12)=24.

Question 49: Reading comprehension: A passage states: 'Epic's BestPractice Advisories (BPAs) are designed to improve care quality, but over-alerting can cause providers to dismiss all alerts — even critical ones.' What is the author's main concern?

Too many alerts can cause alert fatigue, undermining the safety goal of BPAs (Correct answer)
Alert dismissal is not a problem in practice
BPAs should only appear for critical conditions
Epic BPAs are unnecessary

Correct answer: Too many alerts can cause alert fatigue, undermining the safety goal of BPAs

The author acknowledges BPAs' value but warns that over-alerting creates fatigue that defeats the safety purpose of the alerts.

Question 50: An algorithm doubles its run time for every additional input element. What is its time complexity?

O(2ⁿ) (Correct answer)
O(n²)
O(n)
O(log n)

Correct answer: O(2ⁿ)

If run time doubles with each additional element, the complexity is exponential: O(2ⁿ).

Epic Skills Assessment

The Epic Skills Assessment exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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