Clinical Nurse Leader Practice Exam

When is a root cause analysis performed?

1. Prior to a new treatment initiation

2. During a process to evaluate ongoing problems

3. As part of data analysis for poor intervention results

4. After a serious safety event has occurred

The correct answer is: After a serious safety event has occurred

A root cause analysis is a methodical approach used to identify the underlying causes of a problem, particularly in healthcare settings where patient safety is paramount. It is specifically conducted after a serious safety event has occurred, such as an adverse event or a near miss. The primary aim of performing this analysis in such a context is to understand what went wrong, how it happened, and what factors contributed to the incident, ensuring that similar events can be prevented in the future. This process clearly distinguishes itself from other options. For example, carrying out a root cause analysis prior to a new treatment initiation, evaluating ongoing problems, or analyzing data for poor intervention results are more focused on proactive or continuous improvement strategies rather than the retrospective evaluation that follows an incident. The analysis after a serious safety event is crucial to promote a culture of safety and learning within the organization, making it an essential activity in a comprehensive quality improvement program.