Patient Safety: IHI PS 103 Human
Factors & Safety Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
Human factors is the study of:
(A) Interactions among humans
(B) Interactions between humans and machines
(C) Interactions between humans and the environment
(D) All of the above - Correct answer-D - Human factors is an established science
that uses many disciplines to understand how people perform under different
circumstances. This engineering discipline deals with the interface of people,
equipment, and the environment.
Which of the following is an example of unconscious processing by the brain?
(A) Optical illusions
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, (B) Skipping a step on a checklist to save time
(C) Mistaking one drug for another because of look-alike packages
(D) A and C - Correct answer-D - Optical illusions and mistakes involving look-
alike drugs and names reflect unconscious processing by the human brain.
Unconscious processing is a fundamental part of human cognition that can lead to
human error even when people are trying their best. Safe systems take these known
characteristics of human cognition into account to help people do things the right
way.
When attempting to decrease the risk of error, it's important to use human factors
principles because:
(A) If you understand the factors that cause people to make mistakes, you can hire
safer providers.
(B) If you understand human factors principles, you can ensure your system is
perfectly safe.
(C) If you understand the factors that affect human performance on critical tasks,
you can design a safer system.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Factors & Safety Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
Human factors is the study of:
(A) Interactions among humans
(B) Interactions between humans and machines
(C) Interactions between humans and the environment
(D) All of the above - Correct answer-D - Human factors is an established science
that uses many disciplines to understand how people perform under different
circumstances. This engineering discipline deals with the interface of people,
equipment, and the environment.
Which of the following is an example of unconscious processing by the brain?
(A) Optical illusions
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, (B) Skipping a step on a checklist to save time
(C) Mistaking one drug for another because of look-alike packages
(D) A and C - Correct answer-D - Optical illusions and mistakes involving look-
alike drugs and names reflect unconscious processing by the human brain.
Unconscious processing is a fundamental part of human cognition that can lead to
human error even when people are trying their best. Safe systems take these known
characteristics of human cognition into account to help people do things the right
way.
When attempting to decrease the risk of error, it's important to use human factors
principles because:
(A) If you understand the factors that cause people to make mistakes, you can hire
safer providers.
(B) If you understand human factors principles, you can ensure your system is
perfectly safe.
(C) If you understand the factors that affect human performance on critical tasks,
you can design a safer system.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
