CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL
IN PATIENT SAFETY CPPS
PRACTICE EXAM PART 1
Question 1: A nurse bypasses barcode medication administration because the
bedside scanner repeatedly loses its network connection. No patient harm occurs.What is the BEST initial response by the unit leader?
Choices:
1) Remove barcode scanning from the medication process until the network is upgraded 2) Discipline the nurse for violating policy before reviewing the circumstances 3) Ask what made the workaround seem necessary and investigate the scanner and work�ow failures 4) Require all nurses on the unit to repeat annual medication training
Correct Answer: Ask what made the workaround seem necessary and investigate the
scanner and work�ow failures Explanation: A fair and just culture begins by understanding the behavior in context and identifying system conditions that shaped it. The leader should investigate the technology and work�ow before deciding whether coaching or accountability is appropriate.Page 1
Question 2: Near-miss reports on a hospital unit have fallen sharply even though sta� say hazards are still common. Which leadership action is MOST likely to improve reporting?
Choices:
1) Limit reporting to events that caused patient harm 2) Require the employee's name and manager approval on every report 3) Publish a monthly list of employees who submit the most reports 4) Provide timely feedback about what was learned and what actions were taken from reports Correct Answer: Provide timely feedback about what was learned and what actions were taken from reports Explanation: Reporting is more likely when sta� see that speaking up leads to learning and action. Timely feedback closes the loop and strengthens trust in the reporting system.
Question 3: A new patient safety director has been asked to improve an
organization's safety culture. What should the director do FIRST?
Choices:
1) Set a goal of zero event reports within one year 2) Choose a communication tool and mandate it across all departments 3) Assess the current culture using focused data such as validated surveys and qualitative input 4) Begin disciplinary review of departments with the highest event-reporting rates Correct Answer: Assess the current culture using focused data such as validated surveys and qualitative input Explanation: Culture improvement should begin with an assessment of the current state.Validated survey data, interviews, observations, and other focused information help identify priorities before interventions are selected.Page 2
Question 4: Which board-level practice BEST demonstrates governance
responsibility for patient safety?
Choices:
1) Tracking only malpractice claim costs because they are objective 2) Delegating all safety oversight to the risk manager 3) Reviewing safety performance and action-plan progress as a recurring board agenda item 4) Discussing safety only after a sentinel event Correct Answer: Reviewing safety performance and action-plan progress as a recurring board agenda item Explanation: E�ective governance requires ongoing oversight of safety performance, risks, and improvement work. Patient safety should be reviewed routinely rather than only after severe events.Question 5: After a complex emergency response ends successfully, the team wants to move on because no harm occurred. What would a learning culture encourage?
Choices:
1) Cancel the review because analyses should be limited to failures 2) Identify the individual who made the most mistakes during the response 3) Wait for a similar event that produces harm before examining the process 4) Debrief the event to understand both successful adaptations and opportunities for improvement
Correct Answer: Debrief the event to understand both successful adaptations and
opportunities for improvement Explanation: A learning culture studies everyday work and successful performance as well as failures. Debrie�ng can reveal protective adaptations, weak signals, and opportunities to make the system more resilient.Page 3