SMQT SURVEY & CERTIFICATION
BACKGROUND EXAM 2026 UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
(BRAND NEW VISION)
**Select persons with clinical expertise + knowledge** - ans-Expertise &
Knowledge:
It is important to use team members with clinical expertise and knowledge
of current best practices correspond to the following:
- Resident populations' assessed needs
- Services rendered in the facility to be surveyed
- Type of facility to be surveyed
-- For example:
If the facility has a known problem in dietary areas, there should be an
effort to include a dietitian on the team.
If there is a known problem in the area of quality of life, include a social
worker.
If the facility specializes in the care of residents with post-trauma head
injuries and strokes, a physical therapist may be needed on the team.
CMS Guidance for the Composition of a Survey Team: 4 of 5
,**Consider including members of specialized disciplines** - ans-
Specialized Disciplines:
In addition to members of individual disciplines routinely included as
members of the survey team, consideration should be given to the use of
individuals in specialized disciplines who may not routinely participate as
team members.
These individuals would be available to assist the survey team when
specific problems or questions arise. Consultants in these suggested
disciplines include, but are not limited to:
Physicians
Physician assistants
Nurse practitioners
Physical, speech, & occupational therapists
Dieticians
Sanitarians
Engineers
Licensed practical nurses
Social workers
Pharmacists
Gerontologists
CMS Guidance for the Composition of a Survey Team: 5 of 5
**Make sure all members are qualified** - ans-CMS Qualified:
No individual shall serve as a member of a survey team unless the
individual has successfully completed the CMS approved training and
testing program.
,Surveyors in training, i.e., those who have not successfully completed the
required training, must be accompanied onsite by a surveyor who has
successfully completed the required training and testing.
While it is desirable that all survey team members be fully qualified, CMS
recognizes that trainees must be given opportunities to perform survey
functions so that they can achieve "fully qualified" status.
Participation in actual surveys is a valuable and integral part of a training
program. In fact, in the orientation program designed for newly employed
surveyors, CMS recommends that three weeks be spent in the field as part
of the training.
Conflict of Interest: Overview - ans-Conflicts of interest may arise
within the Medicare/Medicaid certification process when State or
Federal employees use their positions for either of the following:
- For private gain (monetary or otherwise)
OR
- To secure unfair advantages for outside associates.
There are a number of Federal and State laws setting forth criminal
penalties for abuses of privileged information, abuses of influence, and
other abuses of public trust.
- Any of the following circumstances disqualify a surveyor from surveying
a particular SNF or NF:
- Employment history at the facility
- Financial interest in the facility
, - Their immediate family is employed or has a financial interest in the
facility
Conflict of Interest: Employment history at the facility - ans-Specifically,
employment history means that the surveyor currently works, or
within the past two years has worked as an employee, an
employment agency staff member or as an officer, consultant or
agent for the facility.
This rule also applies to the surveyor's immediate family members that
may have an employment history with the facility.
Conflict of Interest: Financial Interest - ans-Financial interest includes
ownership interest.
However, financial interest does not include indirect ownership through a
broad-based mutual fund.
Surveyors with immediate family members with financial interest in the
nursing home being certified are also considered to have a conflict of
interest.
Conflict of Interest: Immediate Family Member - ans-An immediate family
member includes a the following people: that may be related to the
surveyor:
Husband or wife
Natural or adoptive parents
Children
Siblings
BACKGROUND EXAM 2026 UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
(BRAND NEW VISION)
**Select persons with clinical expertise + knowledge** - ans-Expertise &
Knowledge:
It is important to use team members with clinical expertise and knowledge
of current best practices correspond to the following:
- Resident populations' assessed needs
- Services rendered in the facility to be surveyed
- Type of facility to be surveyed
-- For example:
If the facility has a known problem in dietary areas, there should be an
effort to include a dietitian on the team.
If there is a known problem in the area of quality of life, include a social
worker.
If the facility specializes in the care of residents with post-trauma head
injuries and strokes, a physical therapist may be needed on the team.
CMS Guidance for the Composition of a Survey Team: 4 of 5
,**Consider including members of specialized disciplines** - ans-
Specialized Disciplines:
In addition to members of individual disciplines routinely included as
members of the survey team, consideration should be given to the use of
individuals in specialized disciplines who may not routinely participate as
team members.
These individuals would be available to assist the survey team when
specific problems or questions arise. Consultants in these suggested
disciplines include, but are not limited to:
Physicians
Physician assistants
Nurse practitioners
Physical, speech, & occupational therapists
Dieticians
Sanitarians
Engineers
Licensed practical nurses
Social workers
Pharmacists
Gerontologists
CMS Guidance for the Composition of a Survey Team: 5 of 5
**Make sure all members are qualified** - ans-CMS Qualified:
No individual shall serve as a member of a survey team unless the
individual has successfully completed the CMS approved training and
testing program.
,Surveyors in training, i.e., those who have not successfully completed the
required training, must be accompanied onsite by a surveyor who has
successfully completed the required training and testing.
While it is desirable that all survey team members be fully qualified, CMS
recognizes that trainees must be given opportunities to perform survey
functions so that they can achieve "fully qualified" status.
Participation in actual surveys is a valuable and integral part of a training
program. In fact, in the orientation program designed for newly employed
surveyors, CMS recommends that three weeks be spent in the field as part
of the training.
Conflict of Interest: Overview - ans-Conflicts of interest may arise
within the Medicare/Medicaid certification process when State or
Federal employees use their positions for either of the following:
- For private gain (monetary or otherwise)
OR
- To secure unfair advantages for outside associates.
There are a number of Federal and State laws setting forth criminal
penalties for abuses of privileged information, abuses of influence, and
other abuses of public trust.
- Any of the following circumstances disqualify a surveyor from surveying
a particular SNF or NF:
- Employment history at the facility
- Financial interest in the facility
, - Their immediate family is employed or has a financial interest in the
facility
Conflict of Interest: Employment history at the facility - ans-Specifically,
employment history means that the surveyor currently works, or
within the past two years has worked as an employee, an
employment agency staff member or as an officer, consultant or
agent for the facility.
This rule also applies to the surveyor's immediate family members that
may have an employment history with the facility.
Conflict of Interest: Financial Interest - ans-Financial interest includes
ownership interest.
However, financial interest does not include indirect ownership through a
broad-based mutual fund.
Surveyors with immediate family members with financial interest in the
nursing home being certified are also considered to have a conflict of
interest.
Conflict of Interest: Immediate Family Member - ans-An immediate family
member includes a the following people: that may be related to the
surveyor:
Husband or wife
Natural or adoptive parents
Children
Siblings
