Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

How many square feet of usable floor space per bed is required for a multibed patient room constructed before 1969?

1. 60 square feet

2. 70 square feet

3. 80 square feet

4. 90 square feet

The correct answer is: 70 square feet

For a multibed patient room constructed before 1969, the requirement of 70 square feet of usable floor space per bed is based on historical standards for nursing home facilities. This regulation acknowledges the need for adequate space to ensure patient comfort, safety, and access to care. In older facilities, which may not have been subject to more recent design guidelines, the requirement emphasizes the importance of having enough space to accommodate not only the beds but also necessary equipment, walking space, and room for caregivers to operate efficiently. The specifications help to establish a baseline for the operational environment in nursing homes, reflecting the balance between care quality and physical limitations of older buildings. The other options reflect higher space requirements that may pertain to newer facilities or updated standards that have increased over time, but for buildings constructed before 1969, the 70 square feet threshold remains significant for quality care and functionality in patient settings.