Who will supervise the PA when the primary supervisor is away?

• A. The substitute supervisor
• B. The hospital administrator
• C. The PA
• D. The state medical board

Answer: (D)

When the primary supervisor is away, oversight is provided by a substitute supervisor. This is typically another qualified physician (or a licensed supervising clinician) designated by the facility or by state regulations to take over supervision duties during that absence. The substitute is responsible for guiding the PA’s decisions, reviewing orders, and ensuring care remains within the authorized scope. The hospital administrator or the PA themselves does not fulfill this supervision role, and while the state medical board sets and enforces the rules for supervision, it does not perform daily on-site supervision. The key point is that a designated substitute supervisor steps in to maintain proper oversight and patient safety while the primary supervisor is unavailable.