Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

In what scenario must a nursing home have at least one licensed nurse on duty during the night shift?

1. For every 32 patients

2. For every 64 patients

3. For every 96 patients

4. For every 120 patients

The correct answer is: For every 120 patients

The requirement for a nursing home to have at least one licensed nurse on duty during the night shift is tied to regulations that ensure adequate nursing care and patient safety. In this context, the nursing home must maintain sufficient nursing staff ratios to address the healthcare needs of the residents effectively, particularly during the night when staffing levels can be lower. In this scenario, having at least one licensed nurse for every 120 patients ensures that there is oversight and professional nursing care available throughout the night. This regulation serves to protect patients by ensuring that a qualified nurse can respond to emergencies, administer medications, and provide necessary care after regular operating hours. The other options propose lower ratios of patients to licensed nurses, which would imply more nurses are needed to meet the same standard of care during nighttime hours. However, the regulation specifying one licensed nurse for every 120 patients is set to balance the needs of patient care with the operational capabilities of the nursing facility, reflecting a standard that is deemed sufficient for safety and effective nursing service during the less populated night shift.