NURS 4106 Patient Safety & Quality Improvement MIDTERM EXAM READINESS GUIDE Q & S 2025/2026

1. Which of the following is a key principle of the Plan-DoStudy-Act (PDSA) cycle in quality improvement?
 a) Planning detailed and extensive documentation
 b) Implementing changes immediately without studying
outcomes
 c) Engaging in small-scale testing of changes
 d) Ensuring that changes are irreversible
 Answer: c) Engaging in small-scale testing of changes
 Rationale: The PDSA cycle emphasizes the importance
of testing changes on a small scale to observe outcomes
before large-scale implementation.
2. In the context of patient safety, what does a 'root cause
analysis' primarily aim to do?
 a) Identify and discipline the staff involved in an error
 b) Determine the financial costs associated with a medical
error
 c) Understand the underlying causes of a problem or error
 d) Replace faulty equipment immediately
 Answer: c) Understand the underlying causes of a
problem or error
 Rationale: Root cause analysis aims to identify
fundamental problems that lead to errors, thus preventing
future occurrences.
3. Which of the following is considered a "never event" in
healthcare?
 a) Patient developing a minor rash from medication