CNML COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PACK
2026
▶ LEAN. Answer: Focus on cutting wastes flow of organization, push/pull
system, and what customer really wants; process focused
▶ CQI. Answer: continuous quality improvement with lots of ideas on the
table and using data that test/refine process; incremental improvement
▶ PDC(S)A. Answer: Plan, do, check (study), act; control and continuous
improvement
▶ DMAIC. Answer: Data-driven improvement cycle; 5 phases for problem
solving; define, measure, analyze, improv, control
▶ Six-Sigma. Answer: Minimizes variation and reduces error rates by
getting rid of defects
▶ Histogram. Answer: Bell curve graph showing where/when most issues
occur
▶ Scatter Diagram. Answer: Compares two variables and their relationship
(staffing # to fall rate) (errors and new staff); helps determine
negative/positive causation when determining the relationship between two
variables
▶ Control Chart. Answer: Upper and lower limits and where data falls;
tracking BSI's and other quality indicators
▶ Serious Reportable Events. Answer: Sentinel events; must report to
governing body and track/show improvements
, ▶ RCA. Answer: Root cause analysis: ask why 5 times; process to define
the most basic fundamental causal factor so it can be corrected to prevent
future errors
▶ Group Think. Answer: Groups agree to do something because they
assume others want to
▶ Fishbone Diagram. Answer: Cause and effect; ask why 5 times; identify
different areas of cause and list issues did that area
▶ Pareto Chart. Answer: Bar graph showing highest frequency to lowest
from left to right; helps focus on biggest issue or cause to tackle
▶ Staffing and Joint Conmission. Answer: Does not set staffing standards;
staffing should support safety, quality, and adequate RN staff; meet your
own standards
▶ Benner's Stages of Nursing Development. Answer: Novice, Advanced
Beginner, Competent, Proficient, Expert
▶ Communication and Errors. Answer: 80% of patient errors are related to
communication
▶ Negative Employees. Answer: Involve them on task forces and Shared
Gov so their voice can be heard and focus on solutions
▶ Medical Error. Answer: Adverse or near miss event that is preventable
given current medical knowledge
▶ Benchmarking. Answer: Comparing practice/scores/results to the best
standard either internally, with competitors, with functional/generic
businesses; part of Total Quality Management
▶ Total Quality Management (TQM). Answer: Business focused on high-
quality, continuous improvement, satisfying customers, and expecting
employees to performance with excellence because they care about
quality/mission/QI; commitment to quality, empowering employees, using
facts to make decisions, continuous improvement, and focusing on
customers - multi-disciplinary; lots of perspectives
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PACK
2026
▶ LEAN. Answer: Focus on cutting wastes flow of organization, push/pull
system, and what customer really wants; process focused
▶ CQI. Answer: continuous quality improvement with lots of ideas on the
table and using data that test/refine process; incremental improvement
▶ PDC(S)A. Answer: Plan, do, check (study), act; control and continuous
improvement
▶ DMAIC. Answer: Data-driven improvement cycle; 5 phases for problem
solving; define, measure, analyze, improv, control
▶ Six-Sigma. Answer: Minimizes variation and reduces error rates by
getting rid of defects
▶ Histogram. Answer: Bell curve graph showing where/when most issues
occur
▶ Scatter Diagram. Answer: Compares two variables and their relationship
(staffing # to fall rate) (errors and new staff); helps determine
negative/positive causation when determining the relationship between two
variables
▶ Control Chart. Answer: Upper and lower limits and where data falls;
tracking BSI's and other quality indicators
▶ Serious Reportable Events. Answer: Sentinel events; must report to
governing body and track/show improvements
, ▶ RCA. Answer: Root cause analysis: ask why 5 times; process to define
the most basic fundamental causal factor so it can be corrected to prevent
future errors
▶ Group Think. Answer: Groups agree to do something because they
assume others want to
▶ Fishbone Diagram. Answer: Cause and effect; ask why 5 times; identify
different areas of cause and list issues did that area
▶ Pareto Chart. Answer: Bar graph showing highest frequency to lowest
from left to right; helps focus on biggest issue or cause to tackle
▶ Staffing and Joint Conmission. Answer: Does not set staffing standards;
staffing should support safety, quality, and adequate RN staff; meet your
own standards
▶ Benner's Stages of Nursing Development. Answer: Novice, Advanced
Beginner, Competent, Proficient, Expert
▶ Communication and Errors. Answer: 80% of patient errors are related to
communication
▶ Negative Employees. Answer: Involve them on task forces and Shared
Gov so their voice can be heard and focus on solutions
▶ Medical Error. Answer: Adverse or near miss event that is preventable
given current medical knowledge
▶ Benchmarking. Answer: Comparing practice/scores/results to the best
standard either internally, with competitors, with functional/generic
businesses; part of Total Quality Management
▶ Total Quality Management (TQM). Answer: Business focused on high-
quality, continuous improvement, satisfying customers, and expecting
employees to performance with excellence because they care about
quality/mission/QI; commitment to quality, empowering employees, using
facts to make decisions, continuous improvement, and focusing on
customers - multi-disciplinary; lots of perspectives
