Quality Control & Assurance Flashcards
7 cards from real NP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Quality Control & Assurance flashcards as text
A nurse practitioner participates in a root cause analysis (RCA) after a patient fall. What is the PRIMARY purpose of an RCA?
Answer: Identify system and process failures to prevent recurrence
RCA focuses on identifying underlying system and process vulnerabilities rather than individual blame to drive systemic improvement.
Which quality improvement model uses Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles as its framework?
Answer: The Model for Improvement
The Model for Improvement, developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, uses PDSA cycles to test and implement changes.
A quality dashboard shows a clinic's diabetes HbA1c control rate is at the 30th percentile compared to national benchmarks. This type of comparison is known as:
Answer: Benchmarking
Benchmarking compares an organization's performance metrics against external standards or peer organizations.
Under the CMS Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), NPs managing transition of care should prioritize which action to prevent penalties?
Answer: Ensuring robust follow-up within 7-14 days post-discharge
Timely post-discharge follow-up is a key evidence-based strategy to reduce preventable readmissions targeted by HRRP.
A nurse practitioner notices that opioid prescribing patterns in the practice vary widely among providers. Which tool best visualizes this variation to initiate a QI discussion?
Answer: Control chart
A control chart plots data over time with statistical control limits to distinguish common-cause variation from special-cause variation among providers.
Which federal legislation established the framework for value-based purchasing and quality reporting for physicians and advanced practice providers?
Answer: MACRA (2015)
MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) created MIPS and APMs, linking provider reimbursement to quality performance.
A patient safety officer reports a near-miss event where a wrong medication was caught before administration. What should the NP do FIRST?
Answer: Document the event in the incident reporting system
Near-miss events must be reported in the incident reporting system to enable analysis and process improvement to prevent future errors.