CQM-C Exam Questions and Answers
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | CQM-C
Quality Management Certification | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Quality Improvement Models & Methodologies
Q1: A quality improvement team is attempting to reduce wait times in the Emergency Department. They
have implemented a change and are now observing the results to see if the change produced the
desired improvement. Which phase of the PDSA cycle are they in?
A. Plan
B. Do
C. Study [CORRECT]
D. Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the "Study" phase, the team analyzes the data collected during the "Do" phase to
determine if the change resulted in improvement. The "Plan" phase involves setting objectives, "Do"
involves implementing the test, and "Act" involves adopting, adapting, or abandoning the change based
on the study. Principle: PDSA is a cyclical model; "Study" is the critical step for evidence-based decision
making.
Q2: Which quality improvement methodology relies heavily on the "5 Whys" technique to drill down to
the root cause of a problem?
A. Lean
B. Six Sigma
C. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) [CORRECT]
,D. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCA is a reactive process used to identify the underlying causes of adverse events. The "5
Whys" is a standard technique within RCA to peel back layers of symptoms. Lean focuses on waste, Six
Sigma on variation, and FMEA is a proactive risk assessment. Principle: Reactive tools like RCA are
essential for understanding past failures to prevent recurrence.
Q3: In the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, during which phase would
a team create a process map to identify bottlenecks?
A. Define
B. Measure
C. Analyze [CORRECT]
D. Improve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While mapping can start in Measure, the detailed analysis of the map to identify bottlenecks,
waste, and root causes occurs in the Analyze phase. The Define phase scopes the project, and Improve
focuses on solutions. Principle: Process mapping is a diagnostic tool best utilized to dissect workflows
during analysis.
Q4: A hospital is looking to reduce waste in its supply chain. The team identifies "transportation" and
"inventory" as key issues. Which QI methodology are they most likely using?
A. Six Sigma
B. Lean [CORRECT]
C. Total Quality Management (TQM)
D. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lean methodology specifically targets the "8 Wastes" (DOWNTIME: Defects, Overproduction,
Waiting, Non-utilized talent, Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Extra-processing). Six Sigma focuses on
reducing variation. Principle: Lean principles are ideal for efficiency and waste reduction projects.
,Q5: Which tool is proactive rather than reactive, aiming to identify potential failures before they occur?
A. Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
B. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) [CORRECT]
C. Sentinal Event Review
D. retrospective Chart Audit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FMEA is a prospective risk assessment tool used to evaluate processes before they fail. RCA
and Sentinel Event Reviews are retrospective, looking back at events that have already happened.
Principle: High-reliability organizations prioritize proactive risk identification over reactive problem
solving.
Q6: When calculating a Risk Priority Number (RPN) in an FMEA, which three factors are multiplied?
A. Severity, Occurrence, and Detection [CORRECT]
B. Severity, Probability, and Cost
C. Detection, Mitigation, and Occurrence
D. Cost, Frequency, and Liability
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RPN = Severity x Occurrence x Detection. This score helps prioritize which failure modes need
immediate attention. Cost is not a factor in the standard RPN calculation. Principle: Risk prioritization
requires evaluating the impact, frequency, and ability to catch a failure.
Q7: The "FOCUS-PDCA" methodology is an expansion of the standard PDSA cycle. What does the "F"
stand for in FOCUS?
A. Find a process to improve
B. Follow up on data
C. Form a team [CORRECT]
D. Fund the project
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acronym stands for Find a process, Organize a team, Clarify current knowledge,
Understand variation, Select the improvement. Then PDCA follows. "Find" is often considered the start,
but "Form a team" (Organizing) is critical. Wait, let's check the exact acronym. It is commonly: Find a
process to improve (F), Organize a team (O), Clarify current knowledge (C), Understand causes of
variation (U), Select the improvement (S). However, some variations use "Form". Let's stick to the most
standard NAHQ definition.
Correction: The most standard definition is: Find a process to improve.
Let's re-evaluate the answer choices.
A. Find a process to improve. (Correct)
B. Form a team. (This is 'O' - Organize).
Let's adjust the options to be distinct.
Revised Q7: In the FOCUS-PDCA model, what is the first step represented by the letter "F"?
A. Form a team.
B. Find a process to improve. [CORRECT]
C. Facilitate a meeting.
D. Finalize the budget.
Rationale: The first step is identifying the opportunity. "Organize a team" comes second. Principle:
Defining the scope and target is the prerequisite for any improvement project.
Q8: A quality improvement team is brainstorming potential causes for patient falls. They use a diagram
that resembles a fish skeleton. What is this tool called?
A. Pareto Chart
B. Scatter Diagram
C. Ishikawa Diagram [CORRECT]
D. Control Chart
Correct Answer: C
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | CQM-C
Quality Management Certification | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Quality Improvement Models & Methodologies
Q1: A quality improvement team is attempting to reduce wait times in the Emergency Department. They
have implemented a change and are now observing the results to see if the change produced the
desired improvement. Which phase of the PDSA cycle are they in?
A. Plan
B. Do
C. Study [CORRECT]
D. Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the "Study" phase, the team analyzes the data collected during the "Do" phase to
determine if the change resulted in improvement. The "Plan" phase involves setting objectives, "Do"
involves implementing the test, and "Act" involves adopting, adapting, or abandoning the change based
on the study. Principle: PDSA is a cyclical model; "Study" is the critical step for evidence-based decision
making.
Q2: Which quality improvement methodology relies heavily on the "5 Whys" technique to drill down to
the root cause of a problem?
A. Lean
B. Six Sigma
C. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) [CORRECT]
,D. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCA is a reactive process used to identify the underlying causes of adverse events. The "5
Whys" is a standard technique within RCA to peel back layers of symptoms. Lean focuses on waste, Six
Sigma on variation, and FMEA is a proactive risk assessment. Principle: Reactive tools like RCA are
essential for understanding past failures to prevent recurrence.
Q3: In the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, during which phase would
a team create a process map to identify bottlenecks?
A. Define
B. Measure
C. Analyze [CORRECT]
D. Improve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While mapping can start in Measure, the detailed analysis of the map to identify bottlenecks,
waste, and root causes occurs in the Analyze phase. The Define phase scopes the project, and Improve
focuses on solutions. Principle: Process mapping is a diagnostic tool best utilized to dissect workflows
during analysis.
Q4: A hospital is looking to reduce waste in its supply chain. The team identifies "transportation" and
"inventory" as key issues. Which QI methodology are they most likely using?
A. Six Sigma
B. Lean [CORRECT]
C. Total Quality Management (TQM)
D. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lean methodology specifically targets the "8 Wastes" (DOWNTIME: Defects, Overproduction,
Waiting, Non-utilized talent, Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Extra-processing). Six Sigma focuses on
reducing variation. Principle: Lean principles are ideal for efficiency and waste reduction projects.
,Q5: Which tool is proactive rather than reactive, aiming to identify potential failures before they occur?
A. Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
B. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) [CORRECT]
C. Sentinal Event Review
D. retrospective Chart Audit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FMEA is a prospective risk assessment tool used to evaluate processes before they fail. RCA
and Sentinel Event Reviews are retrospective, looking back at events that have already happened.
Principle: High-reliability organizations prioritize proactive risk identification over reactive problem
solving.
Q6: When calculating a Risk Priority Number (RPN) in an FMEA, which three factors are multiplied?
A. Severity, Occurrence, and Detection [CORRECT]
B. Severity, Probability, and Cost
C. Detection, Mitigation, and Occurrence
D. Cost, Frequency, and Liability
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RPN = Severity x Occurrence x Detection. This score helps prioritize which failure modes need
immediate attention. Cost is not a factor in the standard RPN calculation. Principle: Risk prioritization
requires evaluating the impact, frequency, and ability to catch a failure.
Q7: The "FOCUS-PDCA" methodology is an expansion of the standard PDSA cycle. What does the "F"
stand for in FOCUS?
A. Find a process to improve
B. Follow up on data
C. Form a team [CORRECT]
D. Fund the project
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acronym stands for Find a process, Organize a team, Clarify current knowledge,
Understand variation, Select the improvement. Then PDCA follows. "Find" is often considered the start,
but "Form a team" (Organizing) is critical. Wait, let's check the exact acronym. It is commonly: Find a
process to improve (F), Organize a team (O), Clarify current knowledge (C), Understand causes of
variation (U), Select the improvement (S). However, some variations use "Form". Let's stick to the most
standard NAHQ definition.
Correction: The most standard definition is: Find a process to improve.
Let's re-evaluate the answer choices.
A. Find a process to improve. (Correct)
B. Form a team. (This is 'O' - Organize).
Let's adjust the options to be distinct.
Revised Q7: In the FOCUS-PDCA model, what is the first step represented by the letter "F"?
A. Form a team.
B. Find a process to improve. [CORRECT]
C. Facilitate a meeting.
D. Finalize the budget.
Rationale: The first step is identifying the opportunity. "Organize a team" comes second. Principle:
Defining the scope and target is the prerequisite for any improvement project.
Q8: A quality improvement team is brainstorming potential causes for patient falls. They use a diagram
that resembles a fish skeleton. What is this tool called?
A. Pareto Chart
B. Scatter Diagram
C. Ishikawa Diagram [CORRECT]
D. Control Chart
Correct Answer: C
