PA PERSONAL CARE HOME (PCH) ADMINISTRATOR
EXAMINATION 2026/2027
Newly Released | Actual Exam| Guaranteed Pass |Graded A+
100 correct and Verified Questions & Answers With Expert Rationales
Q1: According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.1, what is the primary distinction between a "personal care
home" and a "skilled nursing facility" in Pennsylvania?
A. A personal care home provides medical treatment such as intravenous therapy and wound
care, while a skilled nursing facility does not.
B. A personal care home offers food, shelter, and personal care or assistance with
supervision for individuals who require help with daily living, while a skilled nursing
facility provides 24-hour nursing care.
C. A personal care home is strictly for individuals under the age of 60, while a skilled nursing
facility is for the elderly.
D. A personal care home is licensed by the Department of Health, while a skilled nursing facility
is licensed by the Department of Human Services.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.1, a personal care home is defined as a
premise in which food, shelter, and personal care or assistance is provided for a period
exceeding 24 hours, for four or more adults who are not relatives of the operator. This
distinctively differs from a skilled nursing facility which provides medical and nursing care
beyond the scope of personal care and supervision.
,Q2: A resident in a Personal Care Home refuses to take their prescribed medication. The
administrator reviews the regulations regarding refusal of services. Which of the following
actions is most consistent with a resident's rights?
A. Force the resident to take the medication to prevent a health crisis, documenting the refusal
in the medical record.
B. Discharge the resident immediately for non-compliance with the physician's orders.
C. Document the refusal in the resident’s record, notify the physician and the responsible
party, and ensure the resident understands the potential consequences of refusal.
D. Call 911 to have the resident transported to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because according to Pennsylvania PCH regulations regarding resident
rights and informed consent, a resident has the right to refuse treatment, including medication.
The administrator's responsibility is to document the refusal, notify the appropriate parties
(physician/family), and educate the resident on risks, without coercion or immediate discharge
for the act of refusal itself.
Q3: Under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, what is the maximum allowable water temperature at the
outlet of a bathtub or shower to prevent scalding, provided the resident does not have a specific
medical prescription requiring a different temperature?
A. 100 degrees Fahrenheit
B. 105 degrees Fahrenheit
C. 110 degrees Fahrenheit
D. 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.190(b) explicitly states that the water
temperature at the outlet of a bathtub, shower, or whirlpool shall not exceed 110 degrees
Fahrenheit to ensure resident safety and prevent scald injuries.
,Q4: The Department of Human Services (DHS) conducts an annual licensing inspection of the
facility. Which item must the administrator make available for review upon the inspector's
request?
A. The facility's financial profit and loss statements for the last 5 years.
B. Personnel files of all employees, excluding background checks.
C. Resident admission agreements and current resident assessments.
D. The administrator's personal tax returns.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because per 55 Pa. Code § 2600.102, the home must maintain resident
records including admission agreements and assessments, and these must be made available to
the Department for inspection during surveys to verify compliance with care and safety
standards.
Q5: A Personal Care Home employs 20 residents. According to staffing regulations, what is the
minimum staffing requirement for the awake shift?
A. At least one person on duty.
B. At least two persons on duty, one of whom must be awake.
C. At least one person on duty who is a licensed nurse.
D. At least three persons on duty, regardless of resident acuity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.205, if the home serves more than 16
residents, there must be a minimum of two persons on duty, one of whom must be awake, to
ensure safety and supervision at all times.
Q6: Which of the following scenarios constitutes an "unusual incident" that must be reported to
the Department within 24 hours?
A. A resident loses a pair of glasses.
B. A resident falls and sustains a fracture requiring hospitalization.
C. A resident requests a different meal tray.
D. A staff member calls off sick for the shift.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Correct because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.201 defines an unusual incident, and
specifically requires a 24-hour report to the Department for serious injuries, fractures, or events
that compromise the health or safety of a resident, such as a fall resulting in a fracture.
Q7: Regarding medication storage in a Pennsylvania PCH, which of the following is a violation of
Chapter 2600 regulations?
A. Storing controlled substances in a locked cabinet.
B. Keeping current medications in the resident's room in a locked drawer.
C. Storing expired medications in the designated medication cart for future use.
D. Maintaining a current inventory of controlled substances.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.186 mandates that medications must be stored
securely and that expired medications must be removed from the active supply and disposed of
properly; keeping them for use is a direct violation of safety standards.
Q8: [SCENARIO] Mr. Henderson, a resident with moderate dementia, is frequently found
attempting to open the emergency exit doors. The facility uses an alarm system. Based on the
principles of the "Least Restrictive Environment" and safety requirements, what is the
appropriate initial intervention?
A. Install a double-cylinder deadbolt that prevents him from exiting at all.
B. Restrain Mr. Henderson in a geriatric chair during waking hours.
C. Assess the cause of the wandering, implement visual cues or distractions, and ensure the
alarm system is functioning to alert staff.
D. Sedate Mr. Henderson with PRN medication to keep him calm.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the regulations and standard of care prioritize the least restrictive
environment; physical restraints and locked barriers that prevent free egress are generally
prohibited or highly restricted. Assessment and environmental modifications (alarms, cues) are
the required first steps before considering more restrictive measures.
EXAMINATION 2026/2027
Newly Released | Actual Exam| Guaranteed Pass |Graded A+
100 correct and Verified Questions & Answers With Expert Rationales
Q1: According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.1, what is the primary distinction between a "personal care
home" and a "skilled nursing facility" in Pennsylvania?
A. A personal care home provides medical treatment such as intravenous therapy and wound
care, while a skilled nursing facility does not.
B. A personal care home offers food, shelter, and personal care or assistance with
supervision for individuals who require help with daily living, while a skilled nursing
facility provides 24-hour nursing care.
C. A personal care home is strictly for individuals under the age of 60, while a skilled nursing
facility is for the elderly.
D. A personal care home is licensed by the Department of Health, while a skilled nursing facility
is licensed by the Department of Human Services.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.1, a personal care home is defined as a
premise in which food, shelter, and personal care or assistance is provided for a period
exceeding 24 hours, for four or more adults who are not relatives of the operator. This
distinctively differs from a skilled nursing facility which provides medical and nursing care
beyond the scope of personal care and supervision.
,Q2: A resident in a Personal Care Home refuses to take their prescribed medication. The
administrator reviews the regulations regarding refusal of services. Which of the following
actions is most consistent with a resident's rights?
A. Force the resident to take the medication to prevent a health crisis, documenting the refusal
in the medical record.
B. Discharge the resident immediately for non-compliance with the physician's orders.
C. Document the refusal in the resident’s record, notify the physician and the responsible
party, and ensure the resident understands the potential consequences of refusal.
D. Call 911 to have the resident transported to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because according to Pennsylvania PCH regulations regarding resident
rights and informed consent, a resident has the right to refuse treatment, including medication.
The administrator's responsibility is to document the refusal, notify the appropriate parties
(physician/family), and educate the resident on risks, without coercion or immediate discharge
for the act of refusal itself.
Q3: Under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, what is the maximum allowable water temperature at the
outlet of a bathtub or shower to prevent scalding, provided the resident does not have a specific
medical prescription requiring a different temperature?
A. 100 degrees Fahrenheit
B. 105 degrees Fahrenheit
C. 110 degrees Fahrenheit
D. 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.190(b) explicitly states that the water
temperature at the outlet of a bathtub, shower, or whirlpool shall not exceed 110 degrees
Fahrenheit to ensure resident safety and prevent scald injuries.
,Q4: The Department of Human Services (DHS) conducts an annual licensing inspection of the
facility. Which item must the administrator make available for review upon the inspector's
request?
A. The facility's financial profit and loss statements for the last 5 years.
B. Personnel files of all employees, excluding background checks.
C. Resident admission agreements and current resident assessments.
D. The administrator's personal tax returns.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because per 55 Pa. Code § 2600.102, the home must maintain resident
records including admission agreements and assessments, and these must be made available to
the Department for inspection during surveys to verify compliance with care and safety
standards.
Q5: A Personal Care Home employs 20 residents. According to staffing regulations, what is the
minimum staffing requirement for the awake shift?
A. At least one person on duty.
B. At least two persons on duty, one of whom must be awake.
C. At least one person on duty who is a licensed nurse.
D. At least three persons on duty, regardless of resident acuity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.205, if the home serves more than 16
residents, there must be a minimum of two persons on duty, one of whom must be awake, to
ensure safety and supervision at all times.
Q6: Which of the following scenarios constitutes an "unusual incident" that must be reported to
the Department within 24 hours?
A. A resident loses a pair of glasses.
B. A resident falls and sustains a fracture requiring hospitalization.
C. A resident requests a different meal tray.
D. A staff member calls off sick for the shift.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Correct because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.201 defines an unusual incident, and
specifically requires a 24-hour report to the Department for serious injuries, fractures, or events
that compromise the health or safety of a resident, such as a fall resulting in a fracture.
Q7: Regarding medication storage in a Pennsylvania PCH, which of the following is a violation of
Chapter 2600 regulations?
A. Storing controlled substances in a locked cabinet.
B. Keeping current medications in the resident's room in a locked drawer.
C. Storing expired medications in the designated medication cart for future use.
D. Maintaining a current inventory of controlled substances.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.186 mandates that medications must be stored
securely and that expired medications must be removed from the active supply and disposed of
properly; keeping them for use is a direct violation of safety standards.
Q8: [SCENARIO] Mr. Henderson, a resident with moderate dementia, is frequently found
attempting to open the emergency exit doors. The facility uses an alarm system. Based on the
principles of the "Least Restrictive Environment" and safety requirements, what is the
appropriate initial intervention?
A. Install a double-cylinder deadbolt that prevents him from exiting at all.
B. Restrain Mr. Henderson in a geriatric chair during waking hours.
C. Assess the cause of the wandering, implement visual cues or distractions, and ensure the
alarm system is functioning to alert staff.
D. Sedate Mr. Henderson with PRN medication to keep him calm.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the regulations and standard of care prioritize the least restrictive
environment; physical restraints and locked barriers that prevent free egress are generally
prohibited or highly restricted. Assessment and environmental modifications (alarms, cues) are
the required first steps before considering more restrictive measures.
