Which term describes a plan or method to circumvent a problem without eliminating it?

• A. Bypass
• B. Work-around
• C. Mitigation
• D. Stopgap

Answer: (B)

A workaround is a practical, repeatable way to keep things moving by sidestepping a problem rather than fixing its root cause. It describes a plan or method you use to bypass an obstacle so work can continue while the underlying issue remains unresolved. In healthcare, this might look like using a manual charting process when the electronic system is down, allowing care to proceed even though the root cause hasn’t been eliminated. Bypass is closely related but refers more to the act of getting around the obstacle itself rather than a defined method or process you use. Mitigation focuses on reducing risk or harm rather than bypassing a specific obstacle, and a stopgap is a temporary fix to bridge a gap until a permanent solution is found—often broad rather than a specific workflow workaround. So the term that best fits a plan or method to circumvent a problem without eliminating it is a workaround.