Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Practice Test

When a physician prescribes a modified diet for a resident, what is the facility required to do?

1. Provide the modified diet at an additional cost.

2. Offer alternatives to the modified diet.

3. Provide the modified diet as part of the basic rate.

4. Consult with the resident's family about the diet.

The correct answer is: Provide the modified diet as part of the basic rate.

When a physician prescribes a modified diet for a resident, the facility is required to provide the modified diet as part of the basic rate because dietary needs are essential to the health and well-being of elderly residents. Such modifications typically arise from medical conditions that necessitate specific nutrition management, and as such, they should be included in the standard care provided by the facility. This requirement is aligned with regulations that ensure all residents receive appropriate nutrition tailored to their health requirements without imposing additional financial burdens on them. A modified diet is considered an integral part of the resident's overall healthcare plan, reinforcing the facility's obligation to comply with the medical directives for their residents' care. Providing the modified diet at an additional cost would raise concerns regarding access to necessary nutrition, which could lead to health complications. Offering alternatives might confuse the resident or undermine the medical directive provided by the physician, while consulting with family members may not always be feasible or relevant in meeting a resident's immediate dietary needs. The focus should be on implementing the prescribed diet directly to uphold the resident's health standards efficiently.