Nurses need to be aware of current trends in the health care delivery

Nurses need to be aware of current trends in the health care delivery system in order to respond in educational preparation and practice. A major trend that is influencing nursing practice today is:

1. Decreased client acuity
2. Increased hospital stays
3. Decreased emphasis on health promotion
4. Increased incidence of chronic disease processes

ANSWER

ANS: 4
In recent decades, there is a higher incidence of chronic, long-term illness.
With shortened hospital stays, client acuity has increased, not decreased.
Hospital stays have decreased, not increased. Lengths of stay have shortened with a trend to-ward home care, and health promotion and illness prevention.
With increased public awareness and rising health care costs, greater emphasis has been placed on health promotion and illness prevention.