what is the main goal of discharge planning

ATI RN

ATI Leadership Proctored Exam 2019

1. What is the main goal of discharge planning?

A. To ensure that patients are discharged as quickly as possible
B. To prevent hospital readmissions
C. To educate patients about their medications
D. To transition patients from one level of care to another

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main goal of discharge planning is to prevent hospital readmissions by ensuring patients have a clear and effective plan for post-discharge care. This includes coordinating follow-up appointments, medication management, and providing necessary support services to promote a successful transition from the hospital to home or another care setting. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because discharge planning is not primarily about speedy discharge, medication education, or transitioning between care levels; its main focus is on preventing readmissions through comprehensive post-discharge care.

2. A nurse is admitting a new client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while performing medication reconciliation?

A. Compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions
B. Place the client's home medication bottles in a secure location
C. Call the pharmacy to determine whether the client's medications are available
D. Verify the client's name on their identification bracelet with the medication administration record

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. During medication reconciliation, the nurse should compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions to ensure accurate and safe administration. This process helps identify any discrepancies or potential interactions. Choice B is incorrect because placing the client's home medication bottles in a secure location is not part of medication reconciliation. Choice C is incorrect as calling the pharmacy to determine medication availability is not related to reconciling medications. Choice D is incorrect as verifying the client's name on their identification bracelet with the medication administration record is part of the identification process, not medication reconciliation.

3. Which of the following are essential components of strategic planning?

A. Values
B. Vision & Mission statements
C. Reengineering
D. A & B

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In strategic planning, values and vision and mission statements play crucial roles. Values guide the organization's culture and decision-making processes, while vision and mission statements outline its long-term goals and purpose. Reengineering, on the other hand, is a separate process focused on restructuring business processes for improved performance efficiency. Therefore, the correct components of strategic planning are values and vision and mission statements, making option D the correct answer. Choices A and B are correct because they are directly related to setting the direction and purpose of the organization in a strategic planning process, while choice C, reengineering, is not typically considered a core element of strategic planning.

4. A nurse is considering employment at a long-term care facility that has a functional nursing delivery system. Knowing this, the nurse could expect that:

A. Each RN would coordinate care for a group of clients.
B. One RN would pass meds for all clients on a unit.
C. Each RN would deliver total care to an assigned group of clients.
D. One RN, one LPN, and one unlicensed assistive personnel would share responsibility for a group of clients.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a functional nursing delivery system, tasks are divided among the staff based on their roles. One of these roles is medication administration, where one RN may pass medications for all clients on a unit. Option A is incorrect because coordinating care for a group of clients is more aligned with team nursing. Option C is incorrect as it describes total care nursing, not functional nursing. Option D is incorrect as it reflects team nursing with a mix of different roles sharing responsibility.

5. What is the main focus of health literacy initiatives?

A. To promote the use of medical jargon
B. To improve patient communication skills
C. To ensure that patients understand their health information
D. To reduce the use of electronic health records

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main focus of health literacy initiatives is to ensure that patients understand their health information. By improving patient comprehension, individuals can make informed decisions about their health, leading to better health outcomes. Promoting the use of medical jargon would have the opposite effect, making health information less accessible. Improving patient communication skills is important but not the primary focus of health literacy initiatives. Electronic health records are tools for managing health information and not directly related to the main goal of health literacy initiatives.