Which nursing model was designed to put the nurse back at the bedside and allows care for a small number of clients for their entire stay?

• A. Primary Nursing Model
• B. Functional Nursing Model
• C. Team Nursing
• D. Case Management

Answer: (A)

This question tests continuity of care and nurse accountability by having one nurse oversee a patient’s care from admission through discharge. In the Primary Nursing Model, a registered nurse takes responsibility for planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of a patient’s care for the entire stay. That nurse is at the bedside, builds and continually updates the care plan, and coordinates with the team to ensure consistency as the patient moves through shifts. The emphasis is on a single, responsible nurse who knows the patient well and maintains a focused, continuous relationship.

This differs from other approaches: functional nursing assigns tasks to various staff members rather than ownership by one nurse; team nursing uses a care team with a team leader and shared responsibilities; case management concentrates on coordinating care and discharge planning across services, which can spread responsibility beyond a single bedside nurse. Thus, the model described is Primary Nursing.