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Washington Assisted Living Administrator
Exam | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The Washington Assisted Living Administrator Exam is a comprehensive licensing
assessment designed to ensure candidates possess the essential knowledge and
competency to manage assisted living facilities in compliance with Washington State
regulations, particularly the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-78A. The exam
rigorously evaluates proficiency in critical domains including resident care standards and
assessments, resident rights and dignity, medication administration protocols, staff
management and training, safety compliance, and reporting requirements. A strong
emphasis is placed on state-specific laws and best practices, making thorough review of
current WAC chapters.
QUESTION 1
An assisted living facility resident requests to review their own care plan. Under
Washington regulations, what must the administrator do?
A) Deny the request because care plans are confidential between staff and the resident’s
physician
B) Allow access within a reasonable time but redact staff notes unrelated to the resident
C) Require a written request and charge a fee before releasing the care plan
D) Refer the resident to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: WAC 388-78A requires that residents have access to their own
records, including care plans, without unreasonable barriers; minor redactions for
unrelated staff information are allowed.
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QUESTION 2
According to WAC 388-78A, what is the maximum number of consecutive days a
resident may be absent from the facility before the facility must reassess the resident’s
need for services?
A) 3 days
B) 7 days
C) 14 days
D) 30 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under WAC 388-78A, an absence of 7 days or more triggers a
required reassessment to ensure the resident’s needs have not changed.
QUESTION 3
A resident’s family member requests a copy of the facility’s most recent licensing
inspection report. How must the administrator respond?
A) Provide the report only if the family member signs a confidentiality agreement
B) Refuse because inspection reports are for DSHS use only
C) Make the report available upon request or post it publicly as required by law
D) Charge a $50 administrative fee before releasing the report
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Washington law requires that licensing inspection reports be
available to current and prospective residents and their families upon request, often
without excessive fees.
QUESTION 4
Under WAC 388-78A, which of the following is considered a “negative outcome” that
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must be reported to DSHS?
A) A resident refuses to participate in an activity
B) A resident loses personal property worth less than $50
C) A resident experiences an unexplained fall with injury
D) A resident complains about meal quality
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Unexplained falls resulting in injury are reportable negative
outcomes because they may indicate inadequate supervision or safety hazards.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum number of hours of initial training required for a newly hired
direct care worker in a Washington assisted living facility?
A) 8 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 20 hours
D) 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: WAC 388-78A requires at least 40 hours of initial training for direct
care workers before they work alone with residents.
QUESTION 6
A resident with capacity wants to leave the facility against medical advice. What is the
administrator’s responsibility?
A) Physically prevent the resident from leaving for safety
B) Notify the resident’s family and law enforcement immediately
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C) Document the resident’s decision and allow departure unless a court order restricts it
D) Request a psychiatric hold from the local hospital
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Residents retain the right to make their own choices, including
leaving, unless there is a legal guardianship or court order limiting that right.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following must be included in a resident’s negotiated service agreement
(NSA) under Washington rules?
A) The resident’s complete medical history since birth
B) Specific services to be provided and the associated fees
C) The facility’s profit margin for each service
D) A list of all other residents in the facility
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The NSA must clearly outline the services the facility will provide
and the cost to the resident, ensuring transparency and mutual agreement.
QUESTION 8
How often must an assisted living facility in Washington conduct fire drills?
A) Monthly
B) Quarterly
C) Annually
D) Every two years
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Washington Assisted Living Administrator
Exam | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The Washington Assisted Living Administrator Exam is a comprehensive licensing
assessment designed to ensure candidates possess the essential knowledge and
competency to manage assisted living facilities in compliance with Washington State
regulations, particularly the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-78A. The exam
rigorously evaluates proficiency in critical domains including resident care standards and
assessments, resident rights and dignity, medication administration protocols, staff
management and training, safety compliance, and reporting requirements. A strong
emphasis is placed on state-specific laws and best practices, making thorough review of
current WAC chapters.
QUESTION 1
An assisted living facility resident requests to review their own care plan. Under
Washington regulations, what must the administrator do?
A) Deny the request because care plans are confidential between staff and the resident’s
physician
B) Allow access within a reasonable time but redact staff notes unrelated to the resident
C) Require a written request and charge a fee before releasing the care plan
D) Refer the resident to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: WAC 388-78A requires that residents have access to their own
records, including care plans, without unreasonable barriers; minor redactions for
unrelated staff information are allowed.
,2|Page
QUESTION 2
According to WAC 388-78A, what is the maximum number of consecutive days a
resident may be absent from the facility before the facility must reassess the resident’s
need for services?
A) 3 days
B) 7 days
C) 14 days
D) 30 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under WAC 388-78A, an absence of 7 days or more triggers a
required reassessment to ensure the resident’s needs have not changed.
QUESTION 3
A resident’s family member requests a copy of the facility’s most recent licensing
inspection report. How must the administrator respond?
A) Provide the report only if the family member signs a confidentiality agreement
B) Refuse because inspection reports are for DSHS use only
C) Make the report available upon request or post it publicly as required by law
D) Charge a $50 administrative fee before releasing the report
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Washington law requires that licensing inspection reports be
available to current and prospective residents and their families upon request, often
without excessive fees.
QUESTION 4
Under WAC 388-78A, which of the following is considered a “negative outcome” that
,3|Page
must be reported to DSHS?
A) A resident refuses to participate in an activity
B) A resident loses personal property worth less than $50
C) A resident experiences an unexplained fall with injury
D) A resident complains about meal quality
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Unexplained falls resulting in injury are reportable negative
outcomes because they may indicate inadequate supervision or safety hazards.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum number of hours of initial training required for a newly hired
direct care worker in a Washington assisted living facility?
A) 8 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 20 hours
D) 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: WAC 388-78A requires at least 40 hours of initial training for direct
care workers before they work alone with residents.
QUESTION 6
A resident with capacity wants to leave the facility against medical advice. What is the
administrator’s responsibility?
A) Physically prevent the resident from leaving for safety
B) Notify the resident’s family and law enforcement immediately
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C) Document the resident’s decision and allow departure unless a court order restricts it
D) Request a psychiatric hold from the local hospital
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Residents retain the right to make their own choices, including
leaving, unless there is a legal guardianship or court order limiting that right.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following must be included in a resident’s negotiated service agreement
(NSA) under Washington rules?
A) The resident’s complete medical history since birth
B) Specific services to be provided and the associated fees
C) The facility’s profit margin for each service
D) A list of all other residents in the facility
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The NSA must clearly outline the services the facility will provide
and the cost to the resident, ensuring transparency and mutual agreement.
QUESTION 8
How often must an assisted living facility in Washington conduct fire drills?
A) Monthly
B) Quarterly
C) Annually
D) Every two years
CORRECT ANSWER: B
