The department must be notified whenever which one of the following occurs?

The correct response focuses on the requirement for notification to the department when a resident is placed in a work program. This is critical because the placement of a resident in a work program can have significant implications for the resident’s well-being, the operations of the nursing home, and regulatory compliance. Such placements must adhere to established guidelines ensuring that residents are not exploited and that their health and safety are maintained while they perform work-related activities. The department needs to be informed to oversee and ensure these placements align with regulatory standards and protect residents' rights.

In contrast, while the other scenarios may involve important considerations, they do not carry the same mandatory reporting requirements. For instance, admitting a person with a communicable disease relates to infection control policies but does not necessarily require direct notification. Likewise, the opening of the controlled substances portion of an emergency medication kit is typically managed through internal protocols and inventory controls rather than requiring external notification. Discharging more than 10 residents in one day, while significant, is often managed through operational guidelines rather than necessitating immediate notification to the department. Hence, the need to notify in the case of placing a resident in a work program underscores the importance of maintaining oversight within these specialized care contexts.