Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

It is hospital policy to assess and record a patient's pulse before administering digoxin (Lanoxin). By auditing the nursing records to determine the frequency of compliance with this policy, the quality assessment and improvement committee is conducting:

1. A process analysis.

2. A quality analysis.

3. A system analysis.

4. An outcome analysis.

The correct answer is: A process analysis.

By auditing the nursing records to determine the frequency of compliance with the hospital policy of assessing and recording a patient's pulse before administering digoxin, the quality assessment and improvement committee is conducting a process analysis. This analysis focuses on evaluating compliance with established procedures or protocols to ensure that proper steps are being consistently followed to enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care provided. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because a quality analysis typically involves assessing the overall quality of care provided, a system analysis involves evaluating the way different components of a system work together, and an outcome analysis focuses on measuring the results or effects of care provided to patients. In this scenario, the focus is on assessing the adherence to a specific process within the healthcare setting, making option A the most appropriate choice.