ANM Performance Improvement and Quality 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse manager notices a spike in patient falls on the night shift. Which PI tool is BEST for identifying when and how often falls occur across shifts?
- Run chart (Correct answer)
- Fishbone diagram
- Affinity diagram
- Force field analysis
Correct answer: Run chart
A run chart displays data over time, making it ideal for identifying trends and patterns such as shift-specific fall rates.
Question 2: The PDSA cycle's 'Study' phase primarily involves:
- Implementing the change on a small scale
- Analyzing results and comparing them to predictions (Correct answer)
- Planning the next improvement cycle
- Standardizing the successful change
Correct answer: Analyzing results and comparing them to predictions
The 'Study' phase involves analyzing collected data and comparing actual outcomes against the predictions made in the Plan phase.
Question 3: A hospital's C-section rate exceeds the national benchmark. Which approach best aligns with the IHI Triple Aim framework for addressing this?
- Increase staffing to monitor more patients
- Reduce per capita cost while improving outcomes and population health (Correct answer)
- Focus solely on patient satisfaction scores
- Expand surgical suite capacity
Correct answer: Reduce per capita cost while improving outcomes and population health
The IHI Triple Aim focuses on improving population health, enhancing patient experience, and reducing per capita cost simultaneously.
Question 4: Which quality improvement methodology uses defined roles such as Champion, Black Belt, and Green Belt?
- Lean
- Six Sigma (Correct answer)
- TQM
- PDSA
Correct answer: Six Sigma
Six Sigma uses a hierarchical belt system with Champions, Black Belts, and Green Belts to lead and execute improvement projects.
Question 5: A sentinel event review reveals that a wrong-site surgery occurred. According to TJC standards, what is the FIRST required action?
- Conduct a root cause analysis within 45 days (Correct answer)
- Suspend the involved surgeon pending investigation
- Report the event to state authorities immediately
- Implement a new surgical checklist
Correct answer: Conduct a root cause analysis within 45 days
The Joint Commission requires hospitals to conduct a thorough root cause analysis within 45 days of identifying a sentinel event.
Question 6: Which statistical concept describes the common, everyday variation inherent in any process?
- Special cause variation
- Common cause variation (Correct answer)
- Assignable cause variation
- Sentinel variation
Correct answer: Common cause variation
Common cause variation is the random, expected variation built into a stable process and cannot be attributed to a specific cause.
Question 7: An ANM wants to reduce medication reconciliation errors. Which Lean tool would best identify non-value-added steps in the current process?
- 5S methodology
- Value stream mapping (Correct answer)
- Kaizen event
- Kanban board
Correct answer: Value stream mapping
Value stream mapping visually depicts every step in a process, clearly identifying waste and non-value-added activities.
ANM Performance Improvement and Quality 2
A nurse manager notices a spike in patient falls on the night shift.
Which PI tool is BEST for identifying when and how often falls occur across shifts?