One nurse is assigned the responsibility for the case of each patient from admission to discharge?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

Primary nursing is a model where one registered nurse (RN) assumes 24-hour responsibility for planning a patient's care from admission through discharge.
This single, identified nurse is accountable for the patient's nursing care plan and outcomes throughout their entire hospital stay.
While the primary nurse provides direct care when on duty, associate nurses follow the established plan of care in the primary nurse's absence, ensuring consistency.
This model provides the highest level of care continuity and accountability compared to other models.

Option A: The Case Method (or Total Patient Care) involves a nurse providing all necessary care for a patient, but only for the duration of a single shift. Responsibility is not continuous from admission to discharge.
Option C: The Functional Method is task-oriented, not patient-oriented. Care is fragmented as different staff members perform specific tasks (like giving medications or taking vital signs) for all patients on the unit.
Option D: In Team Nursing, responsibility for patient care is shared among a team of nursing staff led by an RN. No single nurse is responsible for the patient from admission to discharge; the team is collectively responsible for a group of patients during a shift.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Nursing Care Delivery Models to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Primary nursing is particularly effective for patients with complex or chronic conditions requiring a consistent, long-term care plan, such as in oncology or rehabilitation units.
This model enhances nurse autonomy, accountability, and job satisfaction, which can lead to better patient outcomes and reduced staff turnover.
A key nursing action in primary nursing is the development and continuous updating of a comprehensive care plan that guides all associate nurses.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'one nurse...responsibility...from admission to discharge.'
This phrase points to a model with long-term, continuous accountability for a single patient.
Next, review the definitions of the four nursing care delivery models provided in the options.
Eliminate 'Functional method' because it is task-based, not patient-centered.
Eliminate 'Case method' because its responsibility is limited to a single shift.
Eliminate 'Team nursing' because responsibility is shared by a team, not held by a single nurse.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) pp. 23-25, 19-21, 18-20

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.