Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What term describes the detailed development and consistent implementation of a quality intervention?

1. Intervention control

2. Intervention fidelity

3. Intervention design

4. Intervention generalization

The correct answer is: Intervention fidelity

The term that describes the detailed development and consistent implementation of a quality intervention is intervention fidelity. This concept refers to the extent to which an intervention is delivered as intended and follows the prescribed protocols and procedures. High fidelity ensures that the intervention is carried out in a manner that is faithful to its design, which is crucial for obtaining valid and reliable outcomes. Intervention fidelity encompasses several components, including the adherence to the intervention's content, the duration and frequency of delivery, the training and qualifications of those delivering the intervention, and the overall environment in which the intervention takes place. Ensuring high fidelity is important because variations in how an intervention is executed can lead to differences in effectiveness and impact, making it challenging to assess its true efficacy. In contrast, other terms such as intervention control, intervention design, and intervention generalization do not encompass the same focus on adherence and implementation integrity that intervention fidelity does. Intervention control may refer to the mechanisms used to maintain compliance with an intervention but doesn’t encapsulate the whole process. Intervention design is about planning and creating the intervention, while intervention generalization refers to the application of the intervention's effects to wider contexts or different populations.