A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a referral for case management services. Which of the following actions should the nurse identify is the responsibility of case management services?

A. Recruiting volunteers might seem like a cost-effective solution, it can be problematic in terms of patient safety and quality of care. Volunteers generally lack the clinical training required to perform medical tasks safely and competently. Their involvement in direct patient care could pose risks to patient safety and may not effectively address staffing shortages in a meaningful way.
B. Developing a centralized staffing pool of float nurses is a strong intervention for addressing staffing shortages while securing patient safety and managing costs. Float nurses are experienced and can be deployed to various units as needed. This strategy ensures that staffing needs are met in a flexible and efficient manner, without compromising patient care. It also helps to balance the workload and prevents burnout among regular staff.
C. Assigning nurses from less busy units to understaffed ones can be effective, but it must be done with consideration for patient acuity. Nurses need to be assigned based on their skills and the needs of the unit to ensure that patient safety is maintained. If nurses from less busy units are assigned to areas with higher acuity patients without proper training or experience, it could compromise patient care and safety.
D. Implementing a mandatory overtime policy can address short-term staffing shortages but often leads to staff dissatisfaction, burnout, and decreased quality of care. Compelling nurses to work extra hours can negatively impact their well-being and job satisfaction, potentially leading to higher turnover rates and increased costs associated with recruiting and training new staff.

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.