RCFE - Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Nutrition and Food Service Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An RCFE with a capacity of 20 residents must have its menus written in advance. According to Title 22 regulations, how long must copies of the menus, as served, be dated and kept on file?
- For 7 days
- For 14 days
- For 30 days (Correct answer)
- For 1 year
Correct answer: For 30 days
California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 87555(b)(6) requires that in facilities licensed for 16 or more persons, menus must be written at least one week in advance, and copies of the menus as served must be dated and kept on file for at least 30 days.
Question 2: A new resident is admitted to an RCFE with a physician's order for a therapeutic, low-sodium diet. Which of the following actions is the facility required to take?
- Provide the modified diet as prescribed by the physician. (Correct answer)
- Inform the resident's family that they must supply all special meals.
- Consult a nutritionist before deciding whether to honor the request.
- Offer standard meals but with the salt shaker removed from the table.
Correct answer: Provide the modified diet as prescribed by the physician.
According to Title 22, Section 87555(b)(7), modified diets prescribed by a resident's physician as a medical necessity must be provided by the facility. The facility is obligated to meet the prescribed dietary needs of its residents.
Question 3: To ensure resident needs are met during an emergency, Title 22 mandates that an RCFE must maintain a minimum supply of food on the premises at all times. Which of the following correctly states this requirement?
- A 3-day supply of nonperishable food and a 1-day supply of perishable food.
- A 5-day supply of nonperishable food and a 5-day supply of perishable food.
- A 1-week supply of all food types, both perishable and nonperishable.
- A 1-week supply of nonperishable food and a 2-day supply of perishable food. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A 1-week supply of nonperishable food and a 2-day supply of perishable food.
Title 22, Section 87555(b)(26) explicitly requires that RCFEs maintain supplies of nonperishable foods for a minimum of one week and perishable foods for a minimum of two days on the premises.
Question 4: To ensure residents receive adequate nutrition and do not go for an extended period without food, Title 22 sets a maximum time that can elapse between two specific meals. What is the maximum number of hours allowed between the third meal (dinner) of one day and the first meal (breakfast) of the next?
- 12 hours
- 15 hours (Correct answer)
- 10 hours
- 18 hours
Correct answer: 15 hours
California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 87555(b)(1) states, "Not more than fifteen (15) hours shall elapse between the third and first meal." This regulation ensures residents do not have an excessively long overnight fast.
Question 5: A kitchen staff member at an RCFE unloads a food delivery and places a box of raw, unwashed spinach on a shelf directly below a package of raw chicken in the refrigerator. This action creates a significant risk of which food safety hazard?
- Reduced nutritional value of the spinach.
- Freezer burn on the chicken.
- Cross-contamination. (Correct answer)
- Pest infestation in the refrigerator.
Correct answer: Cross-contamination.
Placing raw meat, poultry, or fish above ready-to-eat foods like fresh produce is a classic example of a cross-contamination risk. Juices from the raw chicken, which may contain harmful bacteria, can drip onto the spinach, contaminating it. Proper food storage is a key principle of food service sanitation to protect resident health.
Question 6: Which of the following is a key requirement of the dietary service in a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)?
- Menus must be planned for at least one week in advance and be accessible to residents. (Correct answer)
- All meals must be personally prepared and served by a registered dietitian.
- The facility must serve a minimum of four meals per day plus snacks.
- Residents requiring modified diets may be charged an additional daily fee for the service.
Correct answer: Menus must be planned for at least one week in advance and be accessible to residents.
Title 22, Section 87555(b)(6) requires that in facilities for 16 or more persons, menus must be written at least one week in advance and be made available to residents upon request. While dietitians may be consulted, they are not required to prepare all meals, and facilities must provide at least three meals per day. Charging extra for a medically necessary diet is generally not permissible as it is a required service.
RCFE - Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Nutrition and Food Service Questions and Answers 1
An RCFE with a capacity of 20 residents must have its menus written in advance.
According to Title 22 regulations, how long must copies of the menus, as served, be dated and kept on file?