Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT considered a "long-term care facility"?

1. A Swing bed in an acute care facility

2. B Adult day health care facility

3. C Hospital emergency department

4. D Residential care facility for the elderly

The correct answer is: C Hospital emergency department

A hospital emergency department is not classified as a "long-term care facility." Long-term care facilities are designed to provide extended care and support for individuals who have chronic illnesses or disabilities and require assistance with daily activities. This typically includes facilities such as residential care facilities for the elderly and adult day health care facilities, which offer services tailored to their residents' long-term needs. In contrast, a hospital emergency department is a part of an acute care hospital, primarily focused on providing immediate medical treatment for urgent and emergent conditions. Patients in an emergency department are usually not there for ongoing care but rather for short-term intervention or assessment. Therefore, categorizing the emergency department as a long-term care facility would be inaccurate, as it does not provide the sustained, supportive environment necessary for long-term care.