In a general ward, the ratio of nurse and patient should be?

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg Entrance-2017

Explanation

The Staff Inspection Unit (SIU), set up by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, provides standardized staffing norms for government organizations, including hospitals.
According to SIU norms, the recommended nurse-to-patient ratio for a general ward is 1:6.
This ratio is considered the standard for calculating staffing needs in general medical-surgical wards to ensure adequate patient care and safety.

Option A: A 1:3 ratio is not the standard for a typical general ward under SIU norms.
Option B: A 1:10 ratio represents a very high patient load for a single nurse in an inpatient setting and would be considered unsafe staffing.
Option D: While close to the correct answer, 1:7 is not the specific ratio recommended by the Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) for general wards.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Nurse-patient ratio norms in a hospital setting to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Maintaining the correct nurse-patient ratio is critical for patient safety. Understaffing can lead to increased medication errors, patient falls, hospital-acquired infections, and overall poorer patient outcomes.
For a nursing administrator, understanding these norms is essential for budget planning, recruitment, and justifying staffing levels to hospital management.
Nurse satisfaction and retention are heavily influenced by workload. Adhering to staffing norms helps prevent burnout and ensures a safer work environment.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key terms in the question: 'general ward' and 'nurse-patient ratio'.
This is a factual recall question based on nursing administration and management standards in India.
Recall the recommendations from major regulatory bodies, primarily the Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Differentiate between the general SIU norm and the more specific INC norms for teaching vs. non-teaching hospitals.
Select the option that matches the most widely accepted standard for a 'general ward' without further qualifiers, which is the SIU norm.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nurse-patient ratio norms in a hospital setting.
Stem keywords: general ward, ratio, nurse, patient
Lead-in keywords: should be
Clinical cues: The care setting changes urgency, monitoring level, and the expected nursing action.

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E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) p. 5-7

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