NURS 6224 FINAL EXAM PREP Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance ANSWERED 2026/2027 (7 pages)

1. What is the difference between quality assurance and quality improvement in nursing? Provide an example of each. - Quality assurance is the process of ensuring that the standards of care are met and maintained, while quality improvement is the process of identifying and implementing changes to improve the quality of care. For example, quality assurance may involve conducting audits, surveys, or inspections to monitor the compliance with policies and procedures, while quality improvement may involve implementing evidencebased practices, conducting root cause analysis, or applying the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle to address gaps or problems in care delivery. 2. What are some of the benefits of accreditation for health care organizations and nursing programs? Name at least three. - Accreditation is a voluntary process of external evaluation that demonstrates that an organization or a program meets or exceeds certain standards of quality and performance. Some of the benefits of accreditation are: - It provides a framework for continuous improvement and accountability. - It enhances the credibility and reputation of the organization or the program among stakeholders, such as patients, staff, regulators, funders, and employers. - It fosters a culture of excellence and innovation that supports patient safety and satisfaction. - It facilitates collaboration and benchmarking with other accredited organizations or programs. 3. What are some of the roles and responsibilities of a nurse in ensuring regulatory compliance? Give at least two examples. - Regulatory compliance refers to adhering to the laws, rules, regulations, and standards that govern the practice and delivery of health care. Some of the roles and responsibilities of a nurse in ensuring regulatory compliance are: - To be familiar with and follow the relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations that apply to their scope of practice, such as licensure, certification, reporting, documentation, privacy, confidentiality, etc. - To participate in ongoing education and training on regulatory compliance issues and updates. - To report any actual or potential violations or concerns to the appropriate authority or agency. - To cooperate with any investigations or audits related to regulatory compliance.