A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about the use of critical pathways. Which of the following should the charge nurse include?

A. Primary care institutions, such as ambulatory care centers, are typically the first point of contact for patients within the healthcare system. They provide initial evaluations, treatment for common conditions, and ongoing care management. Primary care focuses on comprehensive and preventive services and is the entry point for patients seeking healthcare services.
B. Rehabilitative or long-term care is not the primary focus of a primary care institution. Rehabilitative care involves services designed to help patients recover functional abilities after illness or injury, while long-term care supports individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities over an extended period.
C. Disease-restorative care is more specific to settings that focus on managing and treating particular diseases or conditions, often in a more intensive or specialized manner. While primary care does address disease management, its primary role is broader, encompassing overall health maintenance, preventive care, and managing general health issues rather than solely focusing on restorative care for specific diseases.
D. While ambulatory care centers and primary care institutions primarily provide outpatient services, the term “only” is limiting and may not fully capture the scope of services provided. Primary care settings do indeed offer outpatient services, but they also play a broader role in coordinating care, preventive health, and sometimes providing minor procedures.

A. This is a primary responsibility of case management services. Case managers coordinate various aspects of a client’s care, including arranging for home health care services. They work with healthcare providers and agencies to ensure the client receives the necessary services and resources, such as nursing care, physical therapy, or other supportive services at home.
B. Writing prescriptions is the responsibility of licensed healthcare providers such as physicians or nurse practitioners, not case managers. Case managers do not have the authority to prescribe medications; instead, they focus on coordinating care and ensuring that clients have access to the necessary resources and services.
C. Performing specific nursing skills, such as dressing changes, is within the scope of practice for registered nurses or other licensed nursing professionals. Case managers typically do not provide direct clinical care or perform nursing procedures. Their role is more focused on coordinating care and ensuring that clinical needs are met through appropriate services and providers.
D. Providing education about medication adverse effects falls within the role of healthcare providers who prescribe and manage medications, such as physicians, nurse practitioners, or pharmacists. While case managers may assist in coordinating educational resources and facilitating communication between the client and healthcare providers, they generally do not provide direct medication education.