Nursing Home Administrator
Exam Overview
Domains -There are 4 domains in the administrator exam: Care, Operations, Environment, and
Leadership
Domain 1 -Focuses on Care, Services, and Support, accounting for 39% of the CORE and 45%
of LNHA exams
Domain 2 -Centers on Operations, representing 37% of the CORE and 28% of LNHA exams
Domain 3 -Concerns Environment and Quality, making up 13% of the CORE and 27% of LNHA
exams
Domain 4 -Emphasizes Leadership and Strategy, comprising 11% of the CORE exam and 0%
of LNHA
Pilot Questions -There are 25 'pilot' questions on each test, not included in the scored result
Knowledge Questions -Require remembering and understanding material, may involve
demonstrating interrelationships
Interpretation Questions -Demand understanding and application of presented information, not
simple recall
Problem Solving Questions -Necessitate organizing facts, interpreting data, and selecting the
best course of action
Score Calculation -Based on correct answers with no penalty for guessing; candidates should
answer all questions
Preliminary Score Report -Candidates receive a preliminary pass/fail report after the exam
Passing Score -A scaled score of 113 is required to pass the exam
, Test Taking Tips -Includes advice to relax, cycle through questions, answer confidently, and
manage time effectively
Quality of Care -Involves medical practices, medication management, disease management,
nutrition, and more
Administrator Role -Involves overseeing care policies, staff, treatment understanding, and
resident needs
Care Policies -Include pressure ulcers, accidents, bowel/bladder programs, pain management,
and more
Emergency Management Policy -Includes CPR protocols and emergency response procedures
Health Information Technology -Enables gathering health records data for effective care
management
Governing Body -Establishes and implements facility policies, managing organizational
resources
Physician -Individual responsible for personally approving admissions, providing orders,
overseeing medical care, and ensuring coverage when unavailable.
Physician Review Frequency -Physician must see the patient every 30 days if skilled, for the
first 90 days, then every 60 days; considered timely if within 10 days.
Physician Availability -Physician must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medical Director -Individual responsible for overseeing medical services and care within a
facility.
Cardiologist -Specialist who focuses on heart-related medical conditions.
Dermatologist -Specialist who focuses on skin-related medical conditions.
Endocrinologist -Specialist who focuses on diabetes and endocrine system disorders.
Exodontist -Specialist who primarily performs tooth extractions.
Family Medicine Physician -Internist who provides medical care for individuals of all ages.
Gastroenterologist -Specialist who focuses on digestive system disorders.
General Surgeon -Specialist who specializes in performing a variety of surgical procedures.
Geriatrician -Physician specializing in the medical care of elderly individuals.
Gerontologist -Individual specializing in the study of aging and elderly individuals.
F790 -Code for routine/emergency dental services in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).
Exam Overview
Domains -There are 4 domains in the administrator exam: Care, Operations, Environment, and
Leadership
Domain 1 -Focuses on Care, Services, and Support, accounting for 39% of the CORE and 45%
of LNHA exams
Domain 2 -Centers on Operations, representing 37% of the CORE and 28% of LNHA exams
Domain 3 -Concerns Environment and Quality, making up 13% of the CORE and 27% of LNHA
exams
Domain 4 -Emphasizes Leadership and Strategy, comprising 11% of the CORE exam and 0%
of LNHA
Pilot Questions -There are 25 'pilot' questions on each test, not included in the scored result
Knowledge Questions -Require remembering and understanding material, may involve
demonstrating interrelationships
Interpretation Questions -Demand understanding and application of presented information, not
simple recall
Problem Solving Questions -Necessitate organizing facts, interpreting data, and selecting the
best course of action
Score Calculation -Based on correct answers with no penalty for guessing; candidates should
answer all questions
Preliminary Score Report -Candidates receive a preliminary pass/fail report after the exam
Passing Score -A scaled score of 113 is required to pass the exam
, Test Taking Tips -Includes advice to relax, cycle through questions, answer confidently, and
manage time effectively
Quality of Care -Involves medical practices, medication management, disease management,
nutrition, and more
Administrator Role -Involves overseeing care policies, staff, treatment understanding, and
resident needs
Care Policies -Include pressure ulcers, accidents, bowel/bladder programs, pain management,
and more
Emergency Management Policy -Includes CPR protocols and emergency response procedures
Health Information Technology -Enables gathering health records data for effective care
management
Governing Body -Establishes and implements facility policies, managing organizational
resources
Physician -Individual responsible for personally approving admissions, providing orders,
overseeing medical care, and ensuring coverage when unavailable.
Physician Review Frequency -Physician must see the patient every 30 days if skilled, for the
first 90 days, then every 60 days; considered timely if within 10 days.
Physician Availability -Physician must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medical Director -Individual responsible for overseeing medical services and care within a
facility.
Cardiologist -Specialist who focuses on heart-related medical conditions.
Dermatologist -Specialist who focuses on skin-related medical conditions.
Endocrinologist -Specialist who focuses on diabetes and endocrine system disorders.
Exodontist -Specialist who primarily performs tooth extractions.
Family Medicine Physician -Internist who provides medical care for individuals of all ages.
Gastroenterologist -Specialist who focuses on digestive system disorders.
General Surgeon -Specialist who specializes in performing a variety of surgical procedures.
Geriatrician -Physician specializing in the medical care of elderly individuals.
Gerontologist -Individual specializing in the study of aging and elderly individuals.
F790 -Code for routine/emergency dental services in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).
