CITI - Question Bank

A subject participates in a drug study because treatment is available at no or reduced cost, and he could not otherwise afford it. This is an example of:

Economic vulnerability

HIPAA includes in its definition of "research," activities related to:

Development of generalizable knowledge.

When conducting research that involves collecting biological specimens for genetic testing, which of the following issues is the most important for the IRB to consider?

Effects of findings on other family members

The National Research Act of 1974

Established the National Commission.

The purpose of informed consent is:

To provide a potential subject with appropriate information in an appropriate manner and allow that person to make an informed decision about participation in research.

Which of the following most accurately describes the risks associated with SBR?

Less predictable, more variable, and less treatable than physical harms

Which of the following studies has the LEAST potential to create group harm?

A Phase 3 clinical trial of a new anticancer agent in middle-aged women diagnosed with breast cancer.

An investigator obtains consent and HIPAA authorization from subjects to review their medical records and HIV status. He plans to go back to the medical record, so the HIV status information is stored along with subject identifiers in a database that he keeps on his laptop computer. His laptop is stolen. This incident constitutes:

A breach of confidentiality

The results from research have been known to produce harms to members of the sampled population who do not actually participate in the research study. An example of the type of research that could result in group harms by stigmatizing members of the group (even for individuals who do not participate in the research) is:

A study of the types and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in small rural towns in a midwestern state.

The FDA's regulations related to electronic records and electronic signatures (21 CFR Part 11) are intended to:

Allow the use of electronic documents and signatures in the regulatory process for drugs and devices.

In most cases, a U.S. researcher affiliated with an academic institution, proposing to conducted funded research outside of the U.S., must have the approval of which of the following entities:

An IRB from both the researcher's U.S. institution and an equivalent entity within the host country

How can faculty researchers avoid undue influence of student subjects?

Avoid using their own students in their research

Which of the following is considered a SBR data collection method?

Interviews

IRB continuing review of a greater than minimal risk approved protocol that is currently enrolling subjects must:

Occur at least annually.

Investigators wish to evaluate a new treatment for eclampsia (a life-threatening condition in pregnant women) in women 30 - 50 years of age. The research is intended to directly benefit the pregnant woman who is otherwise healthy and competent. The investigator must obtain consent from whom?

The pregnant woman only.

When required, the information provided to the data subject in a HIPAA disclosure accounting ...

must be more detailed for disclosures that involve fewer than 50 subject records.

Which of the following is included in the Nuremberg Code:

voluntary consent

When researchers plan to involve a prisoner population, which answer best describes the type of federally supported research that may be conducted?

Research that is relevant to prisoners and their conditions or situations

Informed consent is considered an application of which Belmont principle?

Respect for Persons

Which of the following are the three principles discussed in the Belmont Report?

Respect for Persons, Beneficence, Justice

An example of an institutional COI is:

An industry sponsor pays for the construction of a new research laboratory at the organization

If you're unsure about the particulars of HIPAA research requirements at your organization or have questions, you can usually consult with:

An organizational IRB or Privacy Board, privacy official ("Privacy Officer"), or security official ("Security Officer"), depending on the issue.

Under HIPAA, a "disclosure accounting" is required:

For all human subjects research that uses PHI without an authorization from the data subject, except for limited data sets.

Which is true of inducements in research?

Inducements constitute an "undue influence" if they alter a potential subject's decision-making processes, such that they do not appropriately weigh the risk-benefit relationship of the research.

Researcher access to confidential records adds to the vulnerability of workers who participate in workplace studies. Inappropriate release of identifiable private information could adversely affect a worker's retention of a job, insurance, or other employment related benefits. To avoid or minimize these risks, the study design must include adequate safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the information collected. A plan for the proper management of study data and records should clearly define:

Who will have access to the data. If personal identifiers will be retained and used in the data analysis. If the study results, if any, will be included in the employee's personnel records. How the data will be collected and secured. All of the above

Vulnerable persons are those who are less able to protect themselves than other persons in a given situation. The Common Rule (45 CFR 46, Subpart A) has specific requirements for the following vulnerable populations, except:

Workers

Under HIPAA, "retrospective research" (a.k.a., data mining) on collections of PHI generally ...

Is research, and so requires either an authorization or meeting one of the criteria for a waiver of authorization.

The Belmont Report's principle of respect for persons incorporates at least two ethical convictions: first, that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and second, that:

Persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection.

Identify the following groups that are protected in the federal regulations (45 CFR 46), specifically in Subparts B, C, and D with additional protections:

Pregnant women, prisoners, children

Due to past abuses, which of the following groups of potential research subjects has specific Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations to ensure additional protections when this population is being considered for research.

Prisoners

Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, what is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) charged with? Select all that apply.

- Protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects. - Assuring that researchers follow all applicable institutional policies and federal regulations related to research with human subjects. - Reviewing subject recruitment materials and strategies.

During an Institutional Review Board (IRB) meeting, any IRB member who may have a potential COI with a study under review should:

Disclose their potential COI and may answer questions, but recuse themselves from voting

An investigator proposes a study to determine the clinical relevance of a new assay technique to measure minimal residual disease (MRD) in adolescent (age 14-16) cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The study requires that two additional bone marrow aspirates be performed during the course of chemotherapy. The subject's chemotherapy will not be altered based on the results of the assay technique measures. However, future patients with cancer would benefit from improved interventions based on study findings. The IRB determined that the activity was a minor increase over minimal risk. Which of the following statements best describes the IRB approval requirements for involving adolescent cancer patients in the research study?

Assent of the child and permission of both parents are required.

The purpose of a federally supported research study is to examine the effect of scheduled cell searches on gang violence among men confined to drug treatment facilities under court order. Which of the following best describes the IRB's duties when reviewing this research?

Because this research involves individual subjects who would be considered prisoners and examines the possible causes, effects, and processes of incarceration, the IRB should ensure that the additional requirements for prisoner research are met

A researcher wants to invite therapists to participate in small focus groups to discuss their perceptions regarding "troubled" adolescent girls and the relationships they have with their parents. Specific clients of the therapists will not be discussed. Which of the following will be the most important issue for the researcher to consider when planning the research?

Breach of confidentiality from the focus group subjects (therapists)

Which of the following is a commonly used resource for international ethical guidelines for human subjects research?

CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans

Recruiting into research ...

Can qualify as an activity "preparatory to research," at least for the initial contact, but data should not leave the covered entity.

The NBAC looks at characteristics individuals might have that would prevent them from being able to provide voluntary informed consent. The traits may be thought of as falling into six broad areas: cognitive or communicative, institutional, deferential, medical, economic, and social. Prospective research subjects who are not able to comprehend information, deliberate, and make decisions about participation in a proposed research study have a:

Cognitive or communicative vulnerability

In the U.S., the first federal regulations for human subjects research began in 1981 with the codification of the ________.

Common Rule

A covered entity may use or disclose PHI without an authorization, or documentation of a waiver or an alteration of authorization, for all of the following EXCEPT:

Data that does not cross state lines when disclosed by the covered entity.

Which type of IRB review does not require an IRB approval but does require a determination by an individual designated with that task (such as an IRB member or experienced staff person)?

Exempt

How long is an investigator required to keep consent documents, IRB correspondence, and research records?

For a minimum of three years after completion of the study

A 46-year-old man is currently enrolled in a Phase 2 study of a drug for severe diabetic neuropathy. While the study is on-going, a new drug becomes commercially available that may have equal or greater benefit to the subject. The investigator should do which of the following?

Give the subject comprehensive information about the new drug, including its side effects. Discuss the pros and cons of both the investigational drug and the commercially available drug and then allow the subject to decide whether to withdraw from the research to take the new drug.

A federally funded research study involving children 8 to 12 years old involves collecting a single voided urine sample to assess the frequency of asymptomatic proteinuria (higher amounts of protein in the urine without any signs or symptoms of illness or infection). Your IRB has determined that assent of children age 8 and older is required for the study. A 10-year-old firmly declined to participate in the study described above. Which of the following procedures best describes the action to be taken by the investigator?

Honor the child's decision.

A general requirement for the informed consent form is that it may not include any exculpatory language. Exculpatory language is that which waives or appears to waive any of the subject's legal rights or releases or appears to release those conducting the research from liability for negligence. Which of the following statements in a consent form is an example of exculpatory language?

I waive any possibility of compensation for injuries that I may receive as a result of participation in this research.

A researcher's membership on an advisory board with an organization sponsoring research can create a COI because:

It may be difficult for the researcher to appear neutral, as the researcher may have an interest in the research's success

The use of prisoners in research is a concern under the Belmont principle of Justice because:

Prisoners may not be used to conduct research that only benefits the larger society

The COI management plan aims to:

Provide procedures or extras steps to be taken to minimize the risk of bias when a COI is disclosed

Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article?

Realization that ethical abuses are not limited to the Nazi regime

Researchers designing studies to be conducted in host countries outside the U.S. should:

Remember that in some populations an individual cannot make a decision about medical care without the full engagement of relatives, friends and those in authority in the community

An elderly gentleman, whose wife is his legally authorized representative (LAR) since his strokes several years ago, was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He is eligible for a clinical trial using a new investigational drug that aims to treat lung cancer. He is able to express interest, shows a basic understanding of the nature of the trial, and gives his assent to participation. The subject's wife is out of town on a business trip. Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take for the investigator?

Send a copy of the informed consent via facsimile to the subject's wife. After she has had the opportunity to speak to the investigator, she can sign the informed consent and fax it back.

A sponsor proposes research to evaluate reengineering a commercially available pacemaker. It is hoped that the new pacemaker will pose fewer risks to individuals when compared to the current commercially available product. How should this device be classified?

Significant risk device

In considering NBAC's analytic approach, an otherwise competent person who is acutely ill might be considered at especially high risk of harm for:

Situational cognitive vulnerability

An investigator proposes to study a marketed product sold to treat high blood pressure in individuals over age 12 using a liquid formulation for children under age 12. The drug sponsor hopes that the information from the research can be used to change the labeling for use of the drug in younger children. Which of the following is the investigator's most appropriate course of action?

Submit the research protocol to the IRB for review and submit an IND application to the FDA before conducting the research

HIPAA's protections for health information used for research purposes...

Supplement those of the Common Rule and FDA.

Amendments involving changes to IRB-approved protocols do NOT need prior IRB approval if:

The changes must be immediately implemented for the health and well-being of the subject.

An investigator is confronted with a life-threatening situation that necessitates using a test article in a human subject who is unable to provide informed consent and there is no time to obtain consent from the individual's LAR and no alternative method or recognized therapy is available. Under the FDA regulations for using test articles, which of the following describes the best course of action for the investigator:

The investigator and an independent physician agree that the situation necessitates the use of the test article. An exception or waiver for informed consent can be made under these circumstances. The IRB will be notified later.

An academic medical center is selecting a new database system for clinical research. The system needs to be "Part 11 compliant" in order to allow:

The medical center to replace the use of paper records with electronic records for its research.

A research project is designed to evaluate a new experimental type of fetal surgery to correct diaphragmatic hernia in the fetus (a potentially life-threatening condition for the baby) prior to delivery. This research is directed toward the fetus as subject to meet the health needs of the fetus. The pregnant woman is otherwise healthy. The investigator must obtain consent from whom?

The pregnant woman and the father of the fetus.

In order to grant a waiver or alteration of the requirements of informed consent, an IRB must find which of the following:

The research could not practicably be carried out without the waiver of consent.

A HIPAA authorization has which of the following characteristics:

Uses "plain language" that the data subject can understand, similar to the requirement for an informed consent document.

A researcher wants to conduct a secondary analysis using a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) database that was collected by the agency solely for surveillance purposes from 1996-2006. The researcher did not participate in the initial collection of the data. The database is publicly available. The database does not include any identifiers. The IRB makes a determination that the individuals whose records will be reviewed do not meet the federal definition of human subjects. Which of the following considerations was relevant to the IRB's determination that this activity does not constitute research with human subjects?

The researcher will not be interacting/intervening with subjects and the data has no identifiers.

According to federal regulations, which of the following best describes when expedited review of a new, proposed study may be used by the IRB?

The study involves no more than minimal risk and meets one of the allowable categories of expedited review specified in federal regulations

According to current NIH Guidelines, which of the following is adequate justification for exclusion of women from NIH-funded research?

There is compelling evidence that inclusion would be inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects.

The peer review process can create conflicts of interest because the choice of who reviews a potentially publishable project may show:

There may be bias by the peer reviewer as to the area of research

The HIPAA "minimum necessary" standard applies...

To all human subjects research that uses PHI without an authorization from the data subject.

Which choice best describes the purpose of most pharmacogenomic research?

To evaluate the association between individual genotypes and the safety and efficacy of a particular drug or class of drugs

An adult with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents to a physician. To date, no behavioral or drug interventions have proven useful. The physician has just read several reports about a drug that is approved and marketed for another indication, but has shown some benefit for ADHD. The physician wants to prescribe this drug, in the labeled marketed dose, for the individual patient. Which of the following would be the most appropriate course of action?

Treat the patient with the drug based on physician's best medical judgment

True or False: When a research project includes the collection of biological samples, all planned future uses of the samples, identifiers, and the data obtained from the samples, must be fully explained to the research subject.

True

Issued in 1974, 45 CFR 46 raised to regulatory status:

US Public Health Service Policy

When workers are asked to participate in a research study, vulnerabilities related to the subject's employment may include:

Unions may encourage employees to participate with the expectation that "entitlements" may follow from study results. The employer may encourage or deny participation of workers. Employees may experience pressure from management to participate in the study because the employer perceives the study to be advantageous to the organization. The research study's finding could affect an employee's pay, benefits, or promotion potential. All of the above

Investigator A conducts research on emphysema using biospecimens from human subjects. The consent form indicates that the research will focus exclusively on emphysema. Investigator B wishes to use the biospecimens for research on lung cancer. Can Investigator B use the specimens for cancer research without re-consent if the specimens are de-identified?

Yes, if the biospecimens are de-identified then the research is no longer considered human subjects research.

A researcher is conducting a written survey about people's attitudes toward walking as an exercise option at the local shopping mall that supports a walking program. The survey is anonymous (without codes, names, or other information) and subjects may complete the survey and place it in a box at the shopping mall exits. Which of the following is the most important issue that the researcher addressed in planning the research?

Confidentiality of the individual subject's responses

A student plans on interviewing 15 principals in neighboring high schools. The student plans to collect data about the personal experiences the principals have had with disruptive students, including the types of disciplinary actions that were taken (including decisions they may have personally made) and their feelings or thoughts regarding whether those actions were appropriate. The research data collected could have an impact on the principals' careers. The student will collect identifiers. This study would be subject to which type of review?

Convened Review

As of January 2015, the NIH expects investigators to obtain the informed (valid) consent of research participants in NIH -funded genetic research for broad research use of data and data sharing, even if the cell lines or specimens are:

De-Identified

Which of the following brought increased public attention to the problems with the IRB system?

Death of Research Subject (Jesse Gelsinger)

Which of the following is an example of how the principle of beneficence can be applied to a study employing human subjects?

Determining that the study has a maximization of benefits and a minimization of risks.

A federally funded research study involving children 8 to 12 years old involves collecting a single voided urine sample to assess the frequency of asymptomatic proteinuria (higher amounts of protein in the urine without any signs or symptoms of illness or infection). According to 45 CFR 46, an IRB's risk assessment would likely conclude that this study involves:

No more than minimal risk to the child.

Investigator A has biological specimens that are coded and linked to identifiers of the source individuals. Investigator A provides the specimens to Investigator B but does not provide the individual identifiers. Investigator B agrees not to re-identify the source individuals. Is Investigator B's research using the biospecimens human subjects research according to the definition of human subjects research in the federal regulations?

No, because Investigator B cannot readily ascertain the identity of the source individual and Investigator B has agreed not to attempt re-identification.

A graduate student needs to conduct a research project for her master's thesis. She is interested in the types of junk food available to the public. She plans to go to the local convenience stores and ask the owners what types of junk food the store normally stocks, and which are the biggest sellers. She will not collect identifiers. This study would be subject to which type of review?

Not Human Subjects

When reviewing federally supported research involving prisoners, an IRB must have which of the following, in addition to the standard requirements for IRBs to ensure that the prisoners' perspective is represented:

One member who is a prisoner or prisoner representative

Under which of the following conditions is it appropriate to re-contact the individuals who provided biological specimens?

Original signed consent documents included provisions for recontacting subjects

Which of the following practices can be effective in minimizing group harms?

Planning disclosure of research results Ongoing consultation Collaborative IRB review Community consultation All of the above

A subject in a clinical research trial experiences a serious, unanticipated adverse drug experience. How should the investigator proceed, with respect to the IRB, after the discovery of the adverse event occurrence?

Report the adverse drug experience in a timely manner, in keeping with the IRB's policies and procedures, using the forms or the mechanism provided by the IRB.