Relias — Prophecy Healthcare
I I TR A P · E R O C
✚
PH Core Mandatory Part II — Nursing
EST. 1999
IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH BETTER LEARNING
Core Mandatory — Part II (Nursing)
N AT I O N A L PAT I E N T S A F E TY G OA LS · E T H I CS · CU LT U RA L CO M P E T E N C E · PAT I E N T
R I G H TS
INSTITUTION Relias (Prophecy Healthcare) ASSESSMENT Core Mandatory Part II
PROGRAM Nursing Competency Training ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Core Mandatory II — Patient Safety COURSE TITLE Healthcare Safety and Compliance
& Ethics
TOTAL QUESTIONS 40 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice question.
▸ Content covers National Patient Safety Goals, ethical standards, cultural competence, patient rights,
sentinel events, and communication.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current Joint Commission, CMS, and OSHA standards.
, CORE COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT Questions 1 – 40
1. What communication strategies contribute to providing successful culturally competent
care?
A. Using closed-ended questions to get specific answers
B. Asking nonjudgmental questions
C. Speaking loudly to ensure the patient understands
D. Assuming the patient shares your cultural values
CORRECT ANSWER B — Asking nonjudgmental questions.
RATIONALE Nonjudgmental questions are a cornerstone of culturally competent care. They
allow patients to share their beliefs, values, and health practices without fear of
criticism. Examples: "What do you think caused your illness?" or "Can you tell me
about any cultural or spiritual practices that are important for your care?" This
approach builds trust, elicits essential information, demonstrates respect, and
avoids imposing the healthcare worker's own cultural values. The Joint
Commission requires valuing diversity as an essential component of cultural
competence. Closed-ended questions limit information; speaking loudly is not
helpful; assumptions damage the therapeutic relationship.
,2. What should patients be told if an adverse event occurs in their care?
A. Patients should not be told about adverse events to avoid unnecessary anxiety
B. Hospitals are required to tell the patient if an adverse event occurred
C. Only the family should be notified, not the patient
D. The patient should only be told if they specifically ask about it
CORRECT ANSWER B — Hospitals are required to tell the patient if an adverse event occurred.
RATIONALE Healthcare organizations have an ethical and regulatory obligation to disclose
adverse events to patients. This is a fundamental patient right required by The
Joint Commission, CMS, and many state laws. Disclosure includes what happened
and why, the impact on the patient's health, what will be done to treat any harm,
and what steps are being taken to prevent recurrence. This transparency respects
patient autonomy, builds trust, and allows patients to make informed decisions
about ongoing care. Withholding information violates patient rights and prevents
patients from seeking appropriate follow-up care.
, 3. What is an adverse event?
A. Any complaint filed by a patient or family member
B. A patient safety event that resulted in harm to the patient that may or may not have
resulted from an error
C. A minor mistake that caused no patient harm
D. A disciplinary action taken against a healthcare worker
CORRECT ANSWER B — A patient safety event that resulted in harm to the patient that may or
may not have resulted from an error.
RATIONALE An adverse event is defined by The Joint Commission and the National Quality
Forum as an unintended patient safety event that reaches the patient and results
in harm (death, permanent harm, or temporary harm requiring intervention). Key
characteristics: harm actually occurred (distinguishes it from a near miss), it may
or may not have resulted from an error (some adverse events occur despite
appropriate care, such as a known allergic reaction to a first-time medication),
and it requires investigation to determine contributory factors. Related terms:
Sentinel event = an adverse event resulting in death, permanent harm, or severe
temporary harm requiring intervention to sustain life. Near miss/close call = an
event that could have caused harm but was caught before reaching the patient.
I I TR A P · E R O C
✚
PH Core Mandatory Part II — Nursing
EST. 1999
IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH BETTER LEARNING
Core Mandatory — Part II (Nursing)
N AT I O N A L PAT I E N T S A F E TY G OA LS · E T H I CS · CU LT U RA L CO M P E T E N C E · PAT I E N T
R I G H TS
INSTITUTION Relias (Prophecy Healthcare) ASSESSMENT Core Mandatory Part II
PROGRAM Nursing Competency Training ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Core Mandatory II — Patient Safety COURSE TITLE Healthcare Safety and Compliance
& Ethics
TOTAL QUESTIONS 40 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each multiple-choice question.
▸ Content covers National Patient Safety Goals, ethical standards, cultural competence, patient rights,
sentinel events, and communication.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current Joint Commission, CMS, and OSHA standards.
, CORE COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT Questions 1 – 40
1. What communication strategies contribute to providing successful culturally competent
care?
A. Using closed-ended questions to get specific answers
B. Asking nonjudgmental questions
C. Speaking loudly to ensure the patient understands
D. Assuming the patient shares your cultural values
CORRECT ANSWER B — Asking nonjudgmental questions.
RATIONALE Nonjudgmental questions are a cornerstone of culturally competent care. They
allow patients to share their beliefs, values, and health practices without fear of
criticism. Examples: "What do you think caused your illness?" or "Can you tell me
about any cultural or spiritual practices that are important for your care?" This
approach builds trust, elicits essential information, demonstrates respect, and
avoids imposing the healthcare worker's own cultural values. The Joint
Commission requires valuing diversity as an essential component of cultural
competence. Closed-ended questions limit information; speaking loudly is not
helpful; assumptions damage the therapeutic relationship.
,2. What should patients be told if an adverse event occurs in their care?
A. Patients should not be told about adverse events to avoid unnecessary anxiety
B. Hospitals are required to tell the patient if an adverse event occurred
C. Only the family should be notified, not the patient
D. The patient should only be told if they specifically ask about it
CORRECT ANSWER B — Hospitals are required to tell the patient if an adverse event occurred.
RATIONALE Healthcare organizations have an ethical and regulatory obligation to disclose
adverse events to patients. This is a fundamental patient right required by The
Joint Commission, CMS, and many state laws. Disclosure includes what happened
and why, the impact on the patient's health, what will be done to treat any harm,
and what steps are being taken to prevent recurrence. This transparency respects
patient autonomy, builds trust, and allows patients to make informed decisions
about ongoing care. Withholding information violates patient rights and prevents
patients from seeking appropriate follow-up care.
, 3. What is an adverse event?
A. Any complaint filed by a patient or family member
B. A patient safety event that resulted in harm to the patient that may or may not have
resulted from an error
C. A minor mistake that caused no patient harm
D. A disciplinary action taken against a healthcare worker
CORRECT ANSWER B — A patient safety event that resulted in harm to the patient that may or
may not have resulted from an error.
RATIONALE An adverse event is defined by The Joint Commission and the National Quality
Forum as an unintended patient safety event that reaches the patient and results
in harm (death, permanent harm, or temporary harm requiring intervention). Key
characteristics: harm actually occurred (distinguishes it from a near miss), it may
or may not have resulted from an error (some adverse events occur despite
appropriate care, such as a known allergic reaction to a first-time medication),
and it requires investigation to determine contributory factors. Related terms:
Sentinel event = an adverse event resulting in death, permanent harm, or severe
temporary harm requiring intervention to sustain life. Near miss/close call = an
event that could have caused harm but was caught before reaching the patient.
