RHIA Domain V Practice Questions

Question 1

Sam is the new HIM supervisor. His first assignment is to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of his work unit. He has met with the unit’s customers to determine their expectations and met with his staff to understand their roles. In setting up systems to measure work performance, it is critical for Sam to establish:

a. Proper ergonomics

b. Standards

c. Action plans

d. Work distribution charts

Answer 1

b. Standards

Question 2

Pressed for time, Sara hired a new release of information clerk without doing a reference check. When the new clerk committed a violation of patient confidentiality, it came to light that she had committed similar violations at her previous place of employment. By not checking the clerk’s references, Sara has opened the hospital to charge of:

a. Discrimination

b. Harassment

c. Negligent hiring

d. Overcompensation

Answer 2

c. Negligent hiring

Question 3

The slightly higher wage paid to an employee who works a less desirable shift is called a:

a. Shift rotation

b. Performance incentive

c. Shift differential

d. Work distribution ladder

Answer 3

c. Shift differential

Question 4

Which of the following best differentiates the role of strategic management and strategic thinking as compared to other management tools and approaches?

a. A component of each of the major functions of management

b. An additional function that one learns after mastering other management functions

c. A replacement for certain management functions

d. A role for senior managers and board of trustees

Answer 4

a. A component of each of the major functions of management

Question 5

Jan, the new release of information manager, is participating in management orientation for the healthcare organization. One section of orientation thoroughly reviews the tools and practices for setting sustainable performance goals for employees, how to monitor employee progress toward job performance goals, and ways to provide feedback to employees regarding job performance. This section of orientation is called:

a. Performance management

b. Situational strength

c. Critical incident method

d. Benchmarking

Answer 5

a. Performance management

Question 6

Which Joint Commission survey methodology involves an evaluation that follows the hospital experiences of current patients?

a. Priority focus review

b. Periodic performance review

c. Tracer methodology

d. Performance improvement

Answer 6

c. Tracer methodology

Question 7

Employees covered by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are called ________ employees.

a. Waged

b. Salaried

c. Exempt

d. Nonexempt

Answer 7

d. Nonexempt

Question 8

A technique for measuring healthcare entity performance across the four perspectives of customer, financial, internal processes, and learning and growth is called:

a. Strategy map

b. Process innovations

c. Balanced scorecard methodology

d. SWOT analysis

Answer 8

c. Balanced scorecard methodology

Question 9

As part of his role at the local hospital, Jake is reviewing Joint Commission standards to ensure that the organization is meeting the accreditation requirements. As part of the review, Jake
is looking at a specific set of standards that are primarily focused on documentation. Some of the standard requirements include care provided, procedures that were done on the patient, and the progress of the patient. Based on this scenario, which set of Joint Commission standards is Jake reviewing?

a. Information management standards

b. Record of care standards

c. Performance improvement standards

d. Information resource standards

Answer 9

b. Record of care standards

Question 10

During new employee orientation, Elise, the assistant director of human resources, oversees
diversity and sexual harassment training. This orientation is taking place at what level?

a. Organizational

b. Departmental

c. Individual

d. Administrative

Answer 10

a. Organizational

Question 11

The HIM department records copy fees as revenue. For the year the budgeted fees were $25,000 and the actual fees received are $23,000. The director may be asked to explain a(n):

a. Favorable variance of $2,000

b. Unfavorable variance of $2,000

c. Favorable variance of $23,000

d. Unfavorable variance of $23,000

Answer 11

b. Unfavorable variance of $2,000

Question 12

Joe Smith, RHIA, works for an outsourcing company as interim health information department director in a large hospital. By the terms of the contract, the hospital pays the company for Joe’s services based on a 40-hour workweek with overtime for any hours exceeding 40. Joe typically works 9 hours per day, Monday through Thursday, and 4 hours on Friday. He then flies home for the weekend. After several months, he discovers the hospital is billed for 44 to 48 hours per week almost every week. Joe confronts the company billing department because this practice conflicts with the tenet of the AHIMA Code of Ethics that states that health information management
professionals:

a. Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals

b. Adhere to the vision, mission, and values of the association

c. Promote and protect the confidentiality and security of health records and health information

d. Refuse to participate in or conceal unethical practices or procedures

Answer 12

d. Refuse to participate in or conceal unethical practices or procedures

Question 13

Agreements that are reached in a participant agreement or vendor contract should be developed into:

a. Operational policies

b. Strategy plans

c. Admit, discharge, transfer notifications

d. Long-term vision for technical interoperability

Answer 13

a. Operational policies

Question 14

The process of reviewing and validating a physician’s education and experience prior to granting medical staff membership is called:

a. Outcomes management

b. Credentialing

c. Surveillance

d. Utilization review

Answer 14

b. Credentialing

Question 15

Which of the following would be an indicator of process problems in a health information
department?

a. 5% decline in the number of patients who indicate satisfaction with hospital care

b. 10% increase in the average length of stay

c. 15% reduction in bed turnover rate

d. 18% error rate on abstracting data

Answer 15

d. 18% error rate on abstracting data

Question 16

Which of the following is a true statement about business process reengineering?

a. It is intended to make small incremental changes to improve a process.

b. It seeks to reevaluate and redesign organizational processes to make dramatic performance improvements.

c. It implies making few changes to achieve significant improvements in cost, quality, service, and speed.

d. Its main focus is to reduce services.

Answer 16

b. It seeks to reevaluate and redesign organizational processes to make dramatic performance improvements.

Question 17

Strategic thinkers exhibit which of the following skills?

a. Discomfort with uncertainty and risk

b. The ability to gain a powerful core of healthcare entity supporters and customers

c. Flexibility but lacking creativity

d. An ability to implement the vision and plan and be uncomfortable with change

Answer 17

b. The ability to gain a powerful core of healthcare entity supporters and customers

Question 18

For Medicare patients, how often must the home health agency’s assessment and care plan be updated?

a. At least every 60 days or as often as the severity of the patient’s condition requires

b. Every 30 days

c. As often as the severity of the patient’s condition requires

d. Every 60 days

Answer 18

a. At least every 60 days or as often as the severity of the patient’s condition requires

Question 19

A set of activities designed to familiarize new employees with their jobs, the healthcare entity, and work culture is called:

a. Training

b. Job analysis

c. Orientation

d. Job rotation

Answer 19

c. Orientation

Question 20

Sarah, a coding manager, realizes that one of her long-term employees is experiencing a decrease in her coding quality. Sarah has counseled the employee several times and she has documented the issues and placed them in the employee’s file. Sarah has been advised by her manager that she needs to initiate a performance improvement plan for the employee. The next step that Sarah needs to do is:

a. Document performance issues

b. Meet with the employee to review the performance improvement plan

c. Develop an action plan incorporating SMART goals that will assist employee in achieving performance goals

d. Review the performance improvement plan with the HIM manager and human resources

Answer 20

c. Develop an action plan incorporating SMART goals that will assist employee in achieving performance goals

Question 21

Kelly’s husband is being transferred to a new position in another state. Kelly has to resign her position as director of HIM at Memorial Hospital, a job she has enjoyed for five years. This is an example of what type of employee turnover?

a. Functional

b. Voluntary

c. Involuntary

d. Separation

Answer 21

b. Voluntary

Question 22

The HIM manager is developing performance standards for the analysts. The manager will use these performance standards in order to:

a. Assign daily work

b. Communicate performance expectations

c. Describe the elements of a job

d. Prepare a job advertisement

Answer 22

b. Communicate performance expectations

Question 23

What type of healthcare organization review is conducted at the request of the healthcare facility seeking accreditation?

a. Vocational review

b. Compulsory review

c. Complimentary review

d. Voluntary review

Answer 23

d. Voluntary review

Question 24

A SWOT analysis created by the director of the HIM department indicates that all of the coding staff are credentialed and up to date on their continuing education credits. In a SWOT analysis, this would be considered a:

a. Strength

b. Weakness

c. Opportunity

d. Threat

Answer 24

a. Strength

Question 25

Aaron’s workspace is filled with notes posted to the walls regarding coding rules. He has even created file folders for coding tips according to body system. Aaron is most likely what type of sensory learner?

a. Auditory

b. Kinesthetic

c. Tactile

d. Visual

Answer 25

d. Visual

Question 26

An accrediting agency’s published rules, which serve as the basis for comparative assessment during the review or survey process, are called:

a. Accreditation controls

b. Accreditation guides

c. Accreditation policies

d. Accreditation standards

Answer 26

d. Accreditation standards

Question 27

Contracting for staffing to handle a complete function within the HIM department, such as the Cancer Registry function, would be considered what type of contracting arrangement?

a. Full-service

b. Part-time

c. Project-based

d. Temporary

Answer 27

a. Full-service

Question 28

Dr. Smith, an OB-GYN specialist, has just become a staff member at Medical Center Hospital, where she may offer care and treatment related to obstetrics and gynecology including performing deliveries and gynecological surgery. The process of defining what services she may perform is called:

a. Outcomes management

b. Care mapping

c. Granting privileges

d. Retrospective review

Answer 28

c. Granting privileges

Question 29

Every year, a director of health information services sponsors a series of presentations about the confidentiality of patient information. All facility employees are required to attend a session. This method of educational delivery is called:

a. Career development

b. In-service education

c. On-the-job training

d. Orientation

Answer 29

b. In-service education

Question 30

In the HIM department at Memorial Hospital, each newly hired coder spends an afternoon with a medical biller. The coder follows the biller around as they complete job tasks to get an idea of how coding and billing impact one another. This is an example of what type of on-the-job training?

a. Job rotation

b. Job shadowing

c. Cross-training

d. Coaching

Answer 30

b. Job shadowing

Question 31

Identify the true statement regarding training.

a. A variety of methods should be used to accommodate different learning styles.

b. Training should be limited to the information system only.

c. Training should be performed a minimum of six months prior to implementation of the information system.

d. In order to facilitate training, all employees should receive the exact same training regardless of their position.

Answer 31

a. A variety of methods should be used to accommodate different learning styles.

Question 32

Maryann is implementing a new release of information (ROI) tracking system for her ROI clerks to utilize. She met with the vendor and the contract is pending until the legal department provides its final stamp of approval. Maryann is wondering what she should do next to introduce the process changes that need to take place and how she is going to manage the whole process. Maryann needs to develop a strong ______________________ plan in order for this process to be accepted by the HIM staff and for the entire project to be adopted smoothly.

a. Negotiation
b. Collaboration
c. Conflict management
d. Change management

Answer 32

d. Change management

Question 33

CMS and the Joint Commission both require that healthcare professionals assess the work of colleagues in the same profession; this process is known as:

a. Peer review
b. Utilization review
c. Workflow process
d. Mediation

Answer 33

a. Peer review

Question 34

The process of conducting a thorough review of the internal and external conditions in which a healthcare entity operates is called:

a. Environmental assessment

b. Operations improvement planning

c. Strategic management

d. Employment assessment

Answer 34

a. Environmental assessment

Question 35

The incidence of postoperative wound infections occurring in ORIF procedures in which antibiotics were and were not utilized is an example of which type of performance measure?

a. Data measure

b. Process measure

c. Outcome measure

d. System measure

Answer 35

c. Outcome measure

Question 36

What term is used to represent a difference between the budgeted amount and the actual amount of a line item that is not expected to reverse itself during a subsequent period?

a. Permanent variance

b. Fixed cost

c. Temporary variance

d. Flexible cost

Answer 36

a. Permanent variance

Question 37

Successful strategic managers understand that three competencies are common to all successful change and that these competencies can and must be developed. These three competencies are:

a. Leadership, change management, and strategic development

b. Organizational learning, visioning, and leadership

c. Visioning, managing, and change management

d. Improvement, visioning, and managing

Answer 37

a. Leadership, change management, and strategic development

Question 38

A legally binding contract that draws from federal and local laws to define the requirements for participation in the eHealthExchange national network is:

a. DIRECT exchange

b. Blue Button

c. Data Use and Reciprocal Support Agreement (DURSA)

d. Trust Community

Answer 38

c. Data Use and Reciprocal Support Agreement (DURSA)
A legally binding contract that draws from federal and local laws and defines the requirements for participation in the eHealth Exchange national network.

Question 39

In order to expedite basic performance improvement team functioning, the team should:

a. Use unstructured brainstorming

b. Perform force field analysis

c. Establish ground rules

d. Use structured brainstorming

Answer 39

c. Establish ground rules

Question 40

Identifying future health information needs for a healthcare entity and projecting specific initiatives required to meet those needs is part of:

a. Data modeling

b. Policy development

c. Strategic planning

d. Workflow modeling

Answer 40

c. Strategic planning

Question 41

Which discipline defines the natural laws of work and focuses on employee comfort and safety?

a. Aesthetics

b. Cybernetics

c. Affinity grouping

d. Ergonomics

Answer 41

d. Ergonomics

Question 42

Community Hospital is reviewing its job descriptions and notices that some job descriptions for clinical positions include a reference to the potential risks of exposure to blood-borne pathogens while others do not. The human resource manager insists that all job descriptions should include this language. Why is this important to include?

a. It is not important, and the human resource manager is overstepping his or her role.

b. Community Hospital needs to update job descriptions to meet HIPAA requirements.

c. Community Hospital needs to define the level of risk for infection from blood-borne pathogens for its employees.

d. Facilities are required to report incidences of HIV.

Answer 42

c. Community Hospital needs to define the level of risk for infection from blood-borne pathogens for its employees.

Question 43

What type of organization works under contract with CMS to conduct Medicare and Medicaid certification surveys for hospitals?

a. Accreditation organizations

b. Certification organizations

c. State licensure agencies

d. Conditions of Participation agencies

Answer 43

c. State licensure agencies - Medicare certification and the ability of a healthcare provider to participate in the Medicaid program is based on an annual unannounced survey conducted by a state agency that has contracted to act on behalf of CMS

Question 44

Which of the following is a conflict management method in which both parties meet with an objective third party to explore their perceptions and feelings?

a. Compromise

b. Collaborative confrontation

c. Control

d. Constructive confrontation

Answer 44

d. Constructive confrontation

Question 45

The Hay method is used to measure the three levels of major compensable factors: the know-how, problem-solving, and accountability requirements of each position. This system is used for:

a. Job evaluation

b. Interviewing applicants

c. Performance measurement

d. Work scheduling

Answer 45

a. Job evaluation

Question 46

For a contract to be valid, it must include three elements. Which of the following is one of those elements?

a. Assumption of risk

b. Consideration

c. Statute of limitations

d. Notice of liability

Answer 46

b. Consideration

Question 47

One member of the coding staff requested to wear scrubs to work rather than street clothes, and this was approved by the section supervisor. Within a week, all members of the coding staff are now wearing scrubs to work. This is an example of ___________:

a. Stereotyping

b. Affinity-attraction

c. Affinity groups

d. Bandwagon effect

Answer 47

d. Bandwagon effect

Question 48

A SWOT analysis created by the director of the HIM department indicates there is a local community college with an HIM program that could be a source of new coders for future open positions. In a SWOT analysis, this would be a(n):

a. Strength

b. Weakness

c. Opportunity

d. Threat

Answer 48

c. Opportunity. - SWOT analysis looks at the internal strengths of an organization or department, and the external opportunities and threats. These are considered to be elements that the department can control. In this scenario there is an opportunity that is created for the organization as new coders will be available based on the HIM program that is found in the community (

Question 49

Based on the financial data listed above, what was Triad’s net income?

a. $150,000

b. $250,000

c. $400,000

d. $1,500,000

Triad Healthcare Financial Data 12/31/201X
Cash $500,000
A/R $250,000
Building $1,000,000
Land $700,000
A/P $350,000
Mortgage $600,000
Revenue $2,500,000
Expenses $2,250,000

Answer 49

b. 250,000 - The net income is based only on the arithmetic difference between total revenue and total expenses of the current fiscal year. The difference between the total revenue of $2,500,000 and the total expenses of $2,250,000 is $250,000

Question 50

Based on the financial data listed, what was Triad’s total net assets before posting net income for the year?

a. $250,000

b. $400,000

c. $1,250,000

d. $1,500,000

Triad Healthcare Financial Data 12/31/201X
Cash $500,000
A/R $250,000
Building $1,000,000
Land $700,000
A/P $350,000
Mortgage $600,000
Revenue $2,500,000
Expenses $2,250,000

Answer 50

d. $1,500,000

In a not-for-profit environment, the difference between assets and liabilities is referred to as net assets. These relationships can be expressed in the following equation:
Assets − Liabilities = Net assets (equity)
In this example, add the assets (cash $500,000 + A/R $250,000 + building $1,000,000 + land $700,000 = $2,450,000) and then subtract the liabilities (A/P $350,000 + mortgage $600,000 = $950,000) or $2,450,000 − $950,000 = $1,500,000

Question 51

Caroline is interviewing candidates for a supervisor of release of information position. She asks each candidate to explain how they would prepare a record in answer to a subpoena. This is what type of interview question?

a. Behavior

b. Job knowledge

c. Situational

d. Work requirement

Answer 51

b. Job knowledge

Question 52

The HIM director hired an HIM data integrity analyst. This is a new position with a newly created job description. The director needs to develop performance standards for this job and will review a random selection of the job tasks performed in order to develop baseline data for future job performance assessments. This method is called:

a. Benchmarking

b. Work sampling

c. Task interdependence

d. Job complexity

Answer 52

b. Work sampling

Question 53

The Health Information Services department at Medical Center Hospital has identified problems with its work processes. Too much time is spent on unimportant tasks, there is duplication of effort, and task assignment is uneven in quality and volume among employees. The manager has each employee complete a form identifying the amount of time he or she spends each day on various tasks. What is this tool called?

a. Serial work distribution tool

b. Work distribution chart

c. Check sheet

d. Flow process chart

Answer 53

b. Work distribution chart

Question 54

A distance learning method in which groups of employees in multiple classroom locations may listen to and see the material presented at the same time via satellite or telephone is called:

a. Audio conferencing

b. Computer-based training

c. Videoconferencing

d. Online learning

Answer 54

C. Videoconferencing - permits additional flexibility in delivering courses that may be enhanced through visual as well as audio presentation, such as those that include demonstrations or simulation exercises. Videoconferencing is useful for training employees in organizations with multiple sites, such as integrated delivery networks with inpatient and outpatient facilities. The expense is justified for large organizations that do extensive training

Question 55

How are employee performance standards used?

a. To communicate performance expectations

b. To assign daily work

c. To describe the elements of a job

d. To prepare a job advertisement

Answer 55

a. To communicate performance expectations

Question 56

Karen has two coders out on maternity leave, which has resulted in a coding backlog. She is working on a contract to reduce the coding backlog in order to maintain the organization’s performance metrics for DNFB. This contract will allow her to hire staff until the coders return to work. What type of contract is Karen creating?

a. Temporary

b. Full service

c. Emergency

d. Long term

Answer 56

a. Temporary

Question 57

The people or groups of people in an organization who will be affected by the project outcomes are the project’s _____.

a. Sponsors

b. Stakeholders

c. Staff

d. Resources

Answer 57

b. Stakeholders

Question 58

Community Hospital is preparing to select an outsource company as a vendor for its release of information service. What is the first step that the hospital should initiate to gather information from each vendor under consideration?

a. Engage in an RFP process

b. Contact their legal department to review the contract

c. Form a team to determine if a vendor is needed

d. Facilitate a meet and greet with the administration and each potential vendor

Answer 58

A. Engage in an RFP process.
A request for proposal (RFP) would be the first step at this point as the organization has determined a new vendor is needed. An RFP is a solicitation to vendors that includes and organization’s requirements for functionality, vendor strategy, and other elements being sought from a vendor, and that usually also includes basic information about the healthcare organization, such a how many users will be using the system, the timeline for implementation, and any special contractual issues that must be addressed

Question 59

The use of simulation as a training technique is best suited for which of the following scenarios?

a. Diversity training in an integrated health system covering a six-state area

b. Disaster preparedness exercises

c. Providing annual coding updates to physician office staff

d. New employee orientation

Answer 59

B. Disaster preparedness exercises.

Simulation provides real-world situations that represent the actual situation, such a natural disaster. This allows learners to react to a situation in a hands-on way. Diversity training, annual coding updates, and new employee orientation are better suited for a classroom or a similar type of delivery method

Question 60

Examination of the future and preparation of action plans to attain goals:
a. leading
b. organizing
c. controlling
d. planning

Answer 60

d. planning

Examination of the future and preparation of action plans to attain goals

Question 61

What are the management functions?

Answer 61

planning, organizing, leading, controlling, directing

Question 62

What are the 4 stages of team growth?

Answer 62

Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing