The main characteristic of modular nursing is:

Appeared in: BTSC 3 August 2025

Explanation

Modular nursing organizes patient care by dividing a hospital unit into smaller, geographically defined zones or 'modules'.
A consistent team of nursing staff is assigned to each module, making them responsible for all patients within that specific area.
The primary goal is to increase efficiency by keeping nurses physically closer to their patients, which reduces travel time and improves the utilization of resources within that zone.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Decentralised decision-making is a core principle of Primary Nursing, where a single RN has 24-hour accountability and autonomy over a patient's care plan.
Option C: Assigning patients based on their diagnosis or specific condition is characteristic of Case Management, which focuses on coordinating comprehensive care for patients with complex or chronic illnesses across different settings.
Option D: Increased specialisation of tasks is the defining feature of Functional Nursing. This is a task-oriented model where different staff members perform specific, repetitive duties for all patients.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Nursing Care Delivery Models helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
The choice of a nursing care delivery model directly impacts staff workflow, communication efficiency, and the amount of time a nurse can spend at the patient's bedside.
Modular nursing can improve patient satisfaction by increasing nurse visibility and responsiveness, as the team is always located nearby.
Hospital administrators consider the physical layout of a unit when choosing a care model; modular nursing is most effective when a unit can be logically divided into self-contained pods or zones.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'modular nursing'.
Recall the definition of modular nursing. The word 'module' itself implies a self-contained unit or a specific section.
Analyze each option based on this core concept. Option A mentions a 'defined area' and 'efficient use of resources,' which directly aligns with the geographic basis of modular nursing.
Systematically eliminate the other options by identifying which nursing model they describe. Recognize that decentralised decision-making points to Primary Nursing, diagnosis-based assignment points to Case Management, and task specialisation points to Functional Nursing.
Confirm that the selected option is the only one that accurately describes the primary characteristic of the modular model.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nursing Care Delivery Models
Stem keywords: modular nursing, main characteristic
Lead-in keywords: main characteristic

Question ID

QtDmMbOyRkovpgqfHeJoB_

Reference Book

E6 Principles and Practice of NURSING Management Leadership for BSc Nursing 3rd Edi Jogindra Vati — Subpart A (pp 26-339 of 1017) pp. 268-270, 208-210

E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) p. 20-22

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