SMQT - Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Physical Environment Standards Questions and Answers

Question 1

A surveyor conducting an initial tour of a skilled nursing facility observes a resident's room where the thermostat reads 85°F.
The resident, who is alert and oriented, states that the room has felt uncomfortably warm for the past two days.
This observation is a potential violation of the requirement to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain comfortable and safe temperature levels.

Answer

Adhere to the Life Safety Code for heating systems.

Answer

Ensure the emergency power system is functional.

Answer

Provide a private and personalized living space.

Question 2

During an inspection of a resident's room in a facility certified after November 28, 2016, a surveyor notes that the room is shared by two residents. Each resident has a bed, a bedside cabinet, and shares a wardrobe. The room has a single window to the outside and an attached bathroom with a toilet and sink. This room configuration is:

Accepted Answer

Compliant, as it meets the maximum occupancy and furnishing requirements for newer facilities.

Answer

Non-compliant, because each resident must have a separate, private room.

Answer

Non-compliant, because regulations require a full private bath with a shower for each room.

Answer

Compliant, but only if both residents are related.

Question 3

A surveyor is evaluating the physical environment of a nursing facility. Which of the following findings would represent a direct violation of the standards for a resident's room as outlined in 42 CFR §483.90?

Accepted Answer

A semi-private room where the privacy curtain between the beds does not extend fully around one of the beds.

Answer

The facility's maintenance staff changing a ceiling light bulb during the afternoon.

Answer

A resident using their own personal, electrically-safe television that they brought from home.

Answer

The presence of a landline telephone jack, although no phone is currently connected.

Question 4

According to federal regulations at 42 CFR §483.90(d), a facility's resident call system must be accessible from which specific locations?

Accepted Answer

Each resident's bed and toilet.

Answer

Each resident's bed and the common dining areas.

Answer

The shower, activity room, and main entrance.

Answer

The physical therapy room and all facility exits.

Question 5

While observing a housekeeping staff member cleaning a resident corridor, a surveyor notices that the floor buffing machine has a frayed electrical cord with exposed wires, which is plugged into a wall outlet. This observation points to a potential failure of the facility to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain all mechanical equipment in safe operating condition.

Answer

Implement an effective pest control program.

Answer

Provide adequate housekeeping and maintenance personnel.

Answer

Ensure the Life Safety Code is met for corridor width.

Question 6

A surveyor reviews a facility's emergency generator testing logs. The logs indicate that the generator is started and tested for 15 minutes every month under the available building load. This practice is:

Accepted Answer

Non-compliant, as the generator must be tested for a minimum of 30 minutes monthly.

Answer

Compliant, because monthly testing is the required frequency.

Answer

Non-compliant, as weekly load testing for 30 minutes is required.

Answer

Compliant, as long as a full load test is performed annually.