CALA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CALA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is a key component of HIPAA compliance in assisted living? → Protecting resident health information
2. Which document formally establishes the scope of services an assisted living facility is licensed to provide? → State Operating License
3. An administrator discovers that a department head has been falsifying care documentation to meet compliance metrics. The ethical obligation is to: → Report the falsification internally and to the appropriate regulatory body
4. Which Medicaid program most commonly funds assisted living services for low-income residents in the US? → Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers
5. Which quality indicator is most directly associated with resident safety in an assisted living facility? → Fall rate and fall-with-injury rate
6. Which marketing strategy is most effective for generating referrals to an assisted living facility from healthcare professionals? → Building relationships with hospital discharge planners, social workers, and physicians
7. What does the PDSA cycle stand for in quality improvement methodology? → Plan, Do, Study, Act
8. What is the role of the state licensing agency's survey team when conducting a standard annual inspection? → To assess compliance with state licensing regulations and identify deficiencies
9. What is the purpose of a capital expenditure budget in an assisted living facility? → Plan for major asset purchases and facility improvements
10. Which ethical framework focuses on following rules and duties regardless of outcomes? → Deontology
11. Why is transparency important in leadership? → To build trust and accountability
12. When a controlled substance is wasted or a partial dose is administered, best practice in assisted living requires: → Two authorized staff members to witness and co-sign the waste documentation
13. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a Resident Bill of Rights in an assisted living facility? → To define residents' legal and civil protections while in care
14. Which tool is commonly used in quality improvement to map out the steps in a care process and identify where problems may occur? → Process flow diagram (flowchart)
15. Which marketing tool allows prospective residents and families to virtually experience a facility's amenities before visiting in person? → Virtual tours embedded on the facility website
16. Which quality improvement concept focuses on reducing unnecessary variation in care processes to improve consistency and outcomes? → Standardization of care processes and protocols
17. A facility manager is reviewing vendor contracts for laundry services. Which clause is most critical to include to protect residents? → Service level agreements specifying turnaround times and quality standards
18. What role does preventive maintenance play in facility management? → Minimizes breakdowns and disruptions
19. Which federal act prohibits discrimination in federally assisted housing programs and directly affects many assisted living facilities? → Fair Housing Act
20. A resident with a history of depression shows signs of withdrawal, appetite loss, and tearfulness. What is the appropriate first step? → Conduct a depression screening and notify the physician
21. During the admissions process, when must an assisted living facility provide a prospective resident with a written statement of their rights? → Before or at the time of admission, prior to signing the admission agreement
22. What information is a CALA administrator legally prohibited from requesting on an employment application under most US state laws? → Applicant's date of birth or age
23. Why is regulatory compliance important in assisted living facilities? → To meet care and safety standards
24. What role does ethical decision-making play in resident care? → Supports resident-centered, respectful care
25. Which metric measures the percentage of prospective resident inquiries that result in actual move-ins? → Conversion rate
26. Which of the following is essential for emergency preparedness in assisted living facilities? → Emergency preparedness plan
27. An assisted living facility charges a community fee upon admission. How is this fee typically classified? → One-time non-refundable or partially refundable admission revenue
28. When a resident's advance directive conflicts with the family's demands for aggressive treatment, the administrator should: → Honor the resident's advance directive as the legal and ethical standard
29. Which federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin for employers with 15 or more employees? → Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
30. When a resident's condition changes significantly, what is the first required action by staff? → Assess and document the change and notify the physician promptly