A Hospital Is Considering Implementing the Use of Critical Pathways

question 11

Multiple Choice

A hospital is considering implementing the use of critical pathways and case management. Which statements by a nurse would indicate to the nurse manager that more education should be provided?

• A) "If we use critical pathways, we won't have physical therapy to help us ambulate clients."
• B) "If a client is not able to follow the critical pathway, a variance will be written."
• C) "The critical pathway lists discharge outcomes but won't help us with day-to-day guidance of care."
• D) "Once the client is on a critical pathway, we must follow it until discharge."
• E) "Using critical pathways will help us reduce length of stay and costs to the client."

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Definitions:

Algorithms

A set of rules or steps to solve a problem or perform a task, often used in computing for data processing and mathematical calculations.

Heuristics

Shortcut strategies or guidelines that suggest a solution to a problem but do not guarantee an answer.

Prototyping

The process of creating an early model or sample of a product to test concepts or feasibility before full-scale production.

Subgoaling

Breaking down a main goal into smaller, more manageable objectives as a means to facilitate achievement.