CHFM AHA Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM) Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Scale forms where water is in direct contact with heated surfaces. In steam boilers, that location is below the water line, where dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium, silica) precipitate and adhere to heat-transfer surfaces as scale. This reduces efficiency and can cause overheating of boiler tubes.

B. below the water line (Correct): Primary area where water meets heat-transfer surfaces; mineral deposits form here.

A. huddling chamber: This is part of a safety relief valve, not a surface for scale buildup.

C. weld above the water line: There is no continuous water exposure above the water line, so scale does not accumulate there.

D. blowdown valve: This is used to remove sludge/sediment, not a typical location for scale accumulation.

Prior to occupancy of newly constructed healthcare space, the local fire department (or fire marshal) must perform a survey/inspection to ensure compliance with life safety requirements, fire alarm functionality, sprinkler coverage, and egress standards. This is part of code compliance and occupancy approval.

NFPA 80 (Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives) sets requirements for fire door construction and installation. It specifies that the maximum undercut clearance is 3/4 inch unless otherwise tested and listed. Greater clearances compromise the integrity of the fire barrier.

Replacement of major building systems (e.g., chillers, boilers, roofs) falls under capital expenditures because these items are large, non-recurring, and add to or extend the life of facility assets. The capital budget accounts for these costs, which are not part of the day-to-day operations budget.

Correct: Capital budget (A) – Covers replacement of major equipment and infrastructure.

Incorrect:

B. Project fund – May finance special projects but not part of standard budgeting categories.

C. Depreciation fund – An accounting mechanism, not typically a direct budget line for replacement.

D. Operating budget – Covers recurring expenses like utilities, maintenance, and repairs, not full replacements.

According to NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and CMS/TJC corridor obstruction guidance, only certain items deemed essential for immediate patient care may be left unattended in inpatient care corridors. Crash carts are specifically allowed because they are emergency life-saving equipment. Other items, such as hampers, WOWs, and bins, are considered obstructions and must be removed when not in active use.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners do not use ionizing radiation; instead, they use powerful magnetic fields and radiofrequency energy. The primary safety hazard is the projectile effect (missile effect), where ferromagnetic objects are pulled violently into the scanner bore. This is one of the most well-documented risks in MRI safety and is a leading cause of MRI accidents.

Correct Answer (D. missile projection): Strong magnetic fields can accelerate ferromagnetic objects, causing serious patient/staff injury or equipment damage.

Incorrect Options:

A. visual impairment: Not a recognized risk from MRI scanning itself.

B. radiation overexposure: MRI does not use ionizing radiation, unlike CT or X-ray.

C. permanent hearing loss: While MRI noise can be damaging without ear protection, the most likely injury of those listed is projectile accidents.

Relevance to CHFM: This falls under Compliance and Safety domains. Facility managers must ensure MRI safety zones, access control, ferromagnetic detection systems, and staff training to prevent accidents.

Design–Bid–Build (DBB) is the traditional project delivery method where the architect/engineer completes design before contractors bid. The contractor has no input in the design phase.

IDP, DB, and CMAR all include contractor involvement earlier.

Construction projects in healthcare facilities must have secured funding before starting. While approvals, staffing, and security considerations are important, the project cannot begin without the capital budget authorization. This aligns with AIA project delivery requirements and AHA/ASHE guidance for healthcare construction projects.

NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 110.26(A)(1) establishes the depth of working space in front of electrical equipment. For systems 0–150 volts to ground, the minimum depth is 3 ft (36 in.); for 151–600 volts, the required depth is 3–4 ft depending on the condition (exposed live parts and grounded surfaces). In healthcare facilities, unless a more stringent “condition” applies, the baseline minimum clearance encountered for 600 V or less is 36 inches.

Per NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, soiled linen and trash containers greater than 32 gallons are not permitted in patient rooms or at nurse stations. Containers larger than this must be located in designated hazardous areas with proper fire protection.

C. 32 gal. (Correct).

Smaller values (8, 16) are permissible but not the regulatory maximum.

D. 64 gal.: Exceeds NFPA maximum and requires special room design.

The Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) is the primary tool recommended by The Joint Commission (TJC) for planning emergency response exercises. It allows facilities to identify, assess, and prioritize potential hazards and then plan drills and exercises accordingly.

C. HVA (Correct): Standard TJC requirement for developing emergency exercises.

A. ILSM (Interim Life Safety Measures): Used during construction or when life safety features are impaired, not for emergency planning.

B. PCRA (Pre-Construction Risk Assessment): Focuses on infection control and safety risks during construction.

D. ICRMR: Not a recognized TJC tool.

The CHFM exam Financial Management domain requires knowledge of cost savings and revenue generation calculations from operational changes such as recycling initiatives. In this example, gross revenue is calculated by summing the total recycling income streams (cardboard and aluminum).

Correct Answer (C. $7,200): Derived from combining $6,000 (cardboard) and $1,200 (aluminum) revenue.

Other options are incorrect because:

A ($6,000): Considers cardboard only.

B ($6,600): Misapplies aluminum tonnage conversion.

D ($18,000): Exaggerates revenue beyond calculated amounts.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 517 governs the installation of electrical systems in healthcare facilities, including patient care areas, essential electrical systems, and life safety branches.

A: Article 514 – Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities.

C: Article 551 – Recreational Vehicles and RV Parks.

D: Article 555 – Marinas and Boatyards.

A medical equipment management plan must include:

Problem/failure/user error data collection for trending and corrective action.

Performance standards to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Annual review of the plan to maintain compliance and effectiveness.

A computerized inventory system is a useful tool but not mandated by The Joint Commission or CMS; paper-based systems may still be acceptable if compliant.

Builder’s risk insurance is first-party property insurance that covers physical loss to the work under construction, including the replacement or repair value of a structure and materials during the construction period. It does not provide workers’ compensation (A), payment bond protection for subcontractors (B), or performance/contractor default liability (D). Those are separate coverages (workers’ comp, payment bond, performance bond).

OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires that each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout device to the energy-isolating device when they are working on equipment. This ensures that energy cannot be restored until every individual has removed their own lock, thereby directly protecting each worker.

Correct (D): The standard explicitly describes the use of a multiple lockout device (commonly called a hasp), where each employee applies their own personal lock. No lock may be removed until the individual’s work is complete.

Incorrect Options:

A: Listing multiple names on a single lock/tag does not meet OSHA’s requirement for individual control.

B: Providing multiple keys to a single lock defeats the purpose of individual energy control and is not compliant.

C: Commonly keyed locks are prohibited because one employee could remove another’s lock.

Relevance to CHFM Exam (Compliance Domain):

The CHFM exam tests knowledge of OSHA workplace safety standards because healthcare facility managers must ensure compliance in utility and maintenance operations. Proper lockout/tagout procedures are critical for worker safety and regulatory adherence.

Overage = 140 cu. ft.

Each small cylinder = 25 cu. ft.

140 ÷ 25 = 5.6 → minimum 6 needed if rounding up. However, since the question asks for the minimum number to remove to get below the limit, removing 5 cylinders = 125 cu. ft. would still leave 15 cu. ft. over the limit. Therefore, 6 cylinders must be removed.

Correct answer = C (6), not B.

Federal and accreditor requirements establish two emergency exercises per year for hospitals: one full-scale community-based (or facility-based if community-based is not available) and a second exercise (which may be a second full-scale or an exercise such as a tabletop). Real events may be used to meet one of the required exercises when criteria are met.

NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code, sets the requirements for medical gas and vacuum systems, including design, installation, testing, and maintenance (in recent editions, see the chapter dedicated to Gas and Vacuum Systems). It also addresses source equipment, piping, alarms, and verification procedures used in patient care spaces.