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CHIM NCE Practice Exam 1

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CHIM NCE Practice Exam 1

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Questions
200
Format
Multiple choice
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2 years
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$39.99
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About these practice questions

These practice questions will help you prepare for the CHIM national certification exam.

This practice test contains 200 practice questions covering the six sections of the CHIM national certification exam:

  1. Information governance
  2. Data quality
  3. Clinical knowledge
  4. Analytics
  5. Privacy
  6. Technology

All questions have been carefully designed to reflect the questions on the real exam, to help you prepare and get a passing grade.

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Sample practice questions

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Section 1: Information governance

1) What is the term for the legal obligation of health professionals to provide a reasonable level of care and avoid careless actions?
  1. Autonomy
  2. Duty of care
    Duty of care is a fundamental concept in tort law. It means an individual must act in a way that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, to minimize the risk of harm to others.
  3. Nonmaleficence
  4. The Good Samaritan law
2) When communicating with someone from a different culture, it is important to:
  1. make assumptions about their beliefs and values
  2. speak louder and slower to ensure understanding
  3. be respectful of their cultural differences
    Being respectful of cultural differences is crucial in communication. This involves being mindful of different customs, beliefs, and practices, and avoiding assumptions or stereotypes that might offend or misunderstand the other person.
  4. avoid using humour, as it may be misinterpreted
3) What are the four pillars of medical ethics?
  1. Beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy
    The four pillars of medical ethics are:
    • Beneficence (doing good)
    • Non-maleficence (avoiding harm)
    • Justice (fairness)
    • Autonomy (respecting patients’ rights to make decisions about their care)
  2. Dignity, privacy, compassion, and accountability
  3. Professionalism, consequentialism, trust, and responsibility
  4. Professionalism, sensitivity, integrity, and confidentiality
4) A patient refuses to have his blood drawn. The phlebotomist threatens the patient with the needle, saying she will draw the patient's blood whether he gives consent or not. The phlebotomist’s action best describes:
  1. assault
    Assault is threatening to harm someone.
  2. battery
    Battery involves physical contact.
  3. fraud
    Fraud is deceiving someone to receive a benefit.
  4. invasion of privacy
    Invasion of privacy is an intrusion into someone's personal life without consent.
5) What are the parts of the problem-oriented record?
  1. Insurance details, appointment logs, test results, and discharge summaries
  2. Patient demographics, diagnosis history, treatment schedule, and medication list
  3. Problems, solutions, solution administration, and feedback
  4. The database, a problem list, initial plans, and progress notes
    The problem-oriented record (POR) is a medical record format that consists of four parts:
    1. a database containing all patient data and progress notes
    2. a problem list
    3. an initial plan
    4. progress notes
    The record is called "problem-oriented" because the data is organized according to the list of the patient's problems.
6) The acronym SOMR stands for __________-oriented medical record.
  1. source
    The Source-Oriented Medical Record (SOMR) is a way of grouping information based on the source of the data. For example, all laboratory results go together, all physician notes go together, and so on. This method allows healthcare providers to quickly access information from a specific source.
  2. subject
  3. summary
  4. system
7) What distinguishes an enterprise master patient index (EMPI) from a master patient index (MPI)?
  1. An EMPI covers inpatient services, and an MPI covers outpatient services
  2. An EMPI links records across different systems, and an MPI handles records from a single system
    An MPI (master patient index) handles records from a single healthcare system or facility. In contrast, an EMPI (enterprise master patient index) links patient records across multiple healthcare systems and organizations. It links data from various sources such as medical records, public health databases, and payer claims systems.
  3. An EMPI processes real-time data, and an MPI stores historical patient records
  4. EMPIs use blockchain technology for data security, and an MPI uses a centralised database or cloud storage
8) What health records are a combination of paper and computer-generated records?
  1. Blended
  2. Duel
  3. Hybrid
    A hybrid health record contains both paper and digital components.
  4. Mixed
9) What is the difference between data governance and information governance?
  1. Data governance aims for regulatory compliance, whereas information governance aims for data quality
  2. Data governance applies to paper records, whereas information governance applies to electronic records
  3. Data governance focuses on technical assets, whereas information governance focuses on the business context
    Data governance focuses on technical issues like the accuracy, security, and quality of data, while information governance is broader, encompassing the information lifecycle and legal, compliance, and risk requirements of data. Information governance involves the legal, HR, and compliance departments, not just the IT department.
  4. Data governance legal/business-driven, whereas information governance is IT-driven
10) What is the term for the sequence of steps that moves data from source to consumption?
  1. Data capture
  2. Data collection
  3. Data pipeline
    A data pipeline is the journey from the moment data is generated (source) to when it is cleaned, transformed, and finally loaded into a dashboard or database (consumption).
  4. Data submission
11) While a patient is receiving care, most paper records are filed in reverse chronological order. Why?
  1. Because coders need the data that way
  2. Because it helps doctors access the most recent data quickly
    Filing records in reverse chronological order allows doctors to quickly find the latest information about a patient.
  3. Because it makes filing reports easier for doctors
  4. Because legislation requires it
12) What should you do when you find a document in the wrong record?
  1. Advise the patient's doctor
  2. Destroy the document and complete an incident report
  3. Leave the document in the record
  4. Refile the document in the correct record
    If you find a document in the wrong record, the most appropriate action is to refile it in the correct location. This ensures that the patient's medical information is accurate and accessible when needed.
13) In which numbering system does the patient have a single medical record number that is used for all subsequent visits?
  1. Episodic
  2. Serial
  3. Serial unit
  4. Unit
    In the unit numbering system, patients are assigned a unique number on their first visit. This number is then used for all subsequent visits. The opposite is in serial numbering, where patients receive a new medical record number each time they are admitted.
14) With the terminal digit filing system:
  1. misfiles are more common
  2. records are more evenly distributed
    With the terminal digit filing system, the last digits are the primary digits, the middle digits are the secondary digits, and the first digits are the tertiary digits. Terminal digit filing systems can distribute files more evenly across storage, reducing clustering and improving efficiency.
  3. records have to be moved around frequently to make space for incoming files
  4. the middle digits are known as the tertiary digits
15) What is an overlay?
  1. When a patient is assigned two medical record numbers
  2. When a patient is given the same medication twice
  3. When a patient receives the same test twice
  4. When two different patient records are wrongly identified as one individual
    An overlay occurs when a single patient record contains information from two or more different patients. This happens when a patient’s information is mistakenly entered into another patient’s medical record, merging the information. This can have serious consequences, such as incorrect diagnoses and medication errors. The opposite of an overlay is a duplicate record, where multiple medical records are assigned to a single patient.
16) In what filing system are files kept in different places?
  1. Centralized
  2. Decentralized
    In a decentralized filing system, patient records are filed in multiple patient care areas.
  3. Off-site storage
  4. Serial-unit
17) Which term means failure to take proper care in performing a task?
  1. Culpability
  2. Fraud
  3. Negligence
    Negligence is a legal term that refers to failure to exercise the level of care a reasonable person would exercise in similar circumstances.
  4. Restitution
18) Where in a SOAP note does the doctor propose a treatment plan?
  1. Subjective
  2. Objective
  3. Assessment
  4. Plan
    The plan section of a SOAP note is where the practitioner documents the treatment plan for the patient. This section typically includes the proposed treatment and may also include medication options, discharge instructions, follow-up instructions, and referrals.
19) Which format of medical records documentation breaks the SOAP format into smaller components?
  1. CHEDDAR
    CHEDDAR is an acronym that stands for:
    • Chief complaint
    • History
    • Examination
    • Details of presenting problem
    • Drugs and dosages
    • Assessment
    • Return visit
  2. Conventional
  3. HPI
  4. Source-Oriented
20) Which act ensures all eligible Canadian residents have reasonable access to insured health services on a prepaid basis, without direct charges at the point of service?
  1. Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act
  2. Canada Health Act
    The accessibility principle of the Canada Health Act ensures that health services are reasonably accessible to all residents, without financial or other barriers.
  3. Financial Administration Act
  4. Patent Act

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About the CHIM national certification exam

What is the CHIM national certification exam?

The CHIM NCE (Certified in Health Information Management National Certification Examination) is an exam administered by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM).

The exam assesses entry-level knowledge of health information management, including information governance, medical terminology, analytics, and privacy.

Passing the exam is a requirement to become a Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) professional in Canada.

Applying for CHIM NCE

The first step for applying for the CHIM NCE is to join CHIMA. Go to echima.ca/membership to sign up if you're not already a member. CHIMA membership costs $40.75 + taxes if you're enrolled in a health information program, or $130.00 + taxes for an affiliate membership.

Once you've joined CHIMA, sign into your CHIMA account at echima.ca to apply for the CHIM NCE. You'll need to pay the exam fee ($498.00 + taxes)

Computer requirements

The CHIM NCE is home-based, which means you will take the exam at home on your own computer or laptop. You will need a PC, Mac, or laptop to take the exam. Tablets and smartphones are not allowed.

Before your exam day, go to quiz.proctor.alemira.com/precheck to check if your computer meets the exam requirements.

Exam day

On exam day, first you will complete a system check to make sure your webcam and microphone work. Then your proctor will ask you to show your room via your webcam to prove you are alone in the room and do not have any books or study notes with you.

You will also need to show a photo of your ID. The ID must:

  • be valid (not expired)
  • be government-issued
  • have your photo and signature

Examples of valid IDs are a passport or driving license.

The CHIM NCE lasts two hours. Questions are multiple-choice with only one correct answer. You can use paper, pencils, and a non-scientific (simple) calculator.

Passing the exam

To pass the exam, you will need to

  • score at least 60% overall on the exam and
  • score at least 50% on each of the six practice areas (Information Governance, Data Quality, Clinical Knowledge, Analytics, Privacy, and Technology)

Getting your results

Around 4 weeks after the exam, you'll find your exam results by logging into echima.ca.

If you pass the exam, the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM) will post you a certificate and welcome letter within 45 business days. You'll also need to continue fulfilling the following requirements to maintain your CHIM designation:

  • Pay the annual membership fee to CHIMA
  • Complete continuing professional education (CPE) credits
  • Uphold the CHIMA code of ethics

Cancelling your exam

If you need to cancel your exam, send your cancellation request in writing to CHIMA.

Cancel at least two weeks in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than two weeks before your exam date, you won't receive a refund.

What if I fail the exam?

If you fail the CHIM NCE, you can retake the exam two more times (for a total of three attempts). You must pay the exam fee of $498.00 + taxes each time.

If you fail the CHIM NCE on your third attempt, you will have to undergo a CHIMA review before you can retake it again.

Recommended study resources

CHIMA recommends the following resources to prepare for the CHIM NCE:

  • Adamson, Bonnie. Fundamentals of Health Information Management, 2nd Edition. Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA).
  • CHIMA. The Canadian Health Information Management Lifecycle. (Available to buy at echima.ca)
  • CHIMA. The Study Guide for the Fundamentals of Health Information Management, 2nd edition. (Available to buy at echima.ca)

Overview of the practice areas

The CHIM NCE covers six practice areas:

  1. Information governance
  2. Data quality
  3. Clinical knowledge
  4. Analytics
  5. Privacy
  6. Technology

Each practice area has 15 questions, making 90 questions in total.

Continue reading for more information about each practice area.

1. Information Governance

The first practice area of the CHIM NCE is Information Governance. This practice area will ask you questions about:
  • The information lifecycle, including typical information roles and the relationship between data governance, information governance, and the HIM lifecycle
  • Healthcare policy and procedures, including differences between principles, policies, and procedures, and the overall structure of the Canadian health system
  • Quality management practices such as CQI, LEAN, and TQM, including the process of implementing and maintaining a quality management program
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion in health care policies, addressing accessibility issues and strategies to represent marginalized groups
  • Ethical decision-making frameworks, including the implications of unethical decisions and cultural competence
  • Sensitivity training for individual beliefs, age, gender, religion, languages, and cultural beliefs
  • Professional codes of ethics, such as those from the Canadian College of Health Information Management and other organizations
  • Health records management, including interpretability, linkability, and timeliness for meaningful insights
  • Legislation requirements for health information, including documentation standards and reporting requirements
  • Documentation standards across different health care environments
  • Error detection and correction procedures
  • Master Patient Indexes (MPIs) and Enterprise Master Patient Indexes (EMPIs), including their definition, development, and maintenance

2. Data Quality

The second practice area of the CHIM NCE is Data Quality. This practice area will ask you questions about:
  • Data collection principles, frameworks, and policies for ethical data management
  • The DIKW (data, information, knowledge, wisdom) pyramid
  • Data collection strategies such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and experiments
  • Health information flow and utilization management across various levels of care
  • Health data repositories, including CIHI, Statistics Canada, and Ministries of Health
  • Data quality principles, including accuracy, reliability, timeliness, and data stewardship
  • Data integrity practices, including standards and error detection in electronic systems
  • Data standards development and the standards lifecycle
  • Interoperability and standards development organizations like Canada Health Infoway and CIHI
  • Data submission tools and coding classifications, such as DAD, NACRS, ICD-10-CA, and CCI
  • Case mix groups and the impact of social determinants of health

3. Clinical Knowledge

The third practice area of the CHIM NCE is Clinical Knowledge. This practice area will ask you questions about:
  • Anatomy and physiology, including structural units of the body and anatomical structures
  • Diseases, including etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and prognosis
  • Normal and abnormal results for common medical tests
  • Health risk factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors
  • Types of interventions, such as counseling, surgical, pharmaceutical, and radiological
  • Sick-role behavior and its implications in health care
  • Medical terminology, abbreviations, and acronyms commonly found in health care documentation

4. Analytics

The fourth practice area of the CHIM NCE is Analytics. This practice area will ask you questions about:
  • Health care statistics, including descriptive statistical theory and hospital statistics
  • Research design and methods, including ethics approval, qualitative and quantitative research, and epidemiology
  • Data collection strategies and authoritative sources of health data
  • Analytics indicators, including the creation and use of performance indicators and health care quality monitoring
  • Business intelligence tools for data presentation, such as balanced scorecards and dashboards
  • Consumer informatics, including personalized information needs, Internet of Things, and wearable technology
  • Finance, including MIS standards, case costing activities, and funding models

5. Privacy

The fifth practice area of the CHIM NCE is Privacy. This practice area will ask you questions about:
  • Privacy principles, frameworks, policies, and compliance with legal and statutory drivers
  • Key privacy legislation such as PIPEDA and provincial/territorial statutes
  • Privacy, security, and confidentiality principles in health information practice
  • Management of privacy or security breaches and the tools used for privacy risk assessment
  • Individuals' rights to access and request changes to their personal health information
  • Retention and destruction policies for health information
  • Legal terms related to health information privacy
  • Critical issues addressed by ethics and law in health information
  • Security infrastructure, including principles, frameworks, policies, and processes for technology platforms
  • Internal and external access control tools and practices
  • Principles for external data sharing and access, including third-party queries and policies for Métis, Inuit, First Nations, and Indigenous populations

6. Technology

The sixth and final practice area of the CHIM NCE is Technology. This practice area will ask you questions about:
  • Technology systems principles, policies, and processes for data maintenance, including storage, encryption, retention, and access management
  • Systems development lifecycle and IT procurement processes
  • Systems implementation, including IT infrastructure support, training, and conversion plans
  • Concepts of EHR, PHR, EMR, and EPR
  • Project management and change management concepts
  • Types of health care information systems and their information flow
  • Ethical issues in health policy, systems research, and EHR implementation
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion standards in information systems
  • Health information exchange, including data integration and linkage theories and standards for data transmission
  • Benefits and challenges of standards and the impact of interoperability on health care quality and outcomes