Answer to Question 1
T
A clinical pathway is a standardized care map that defines nursing care, outcome criteria, and evaluation time frames for specific disorders. Clinical pathways are designed to manage the re-sources of the health care agency, as well as enable consistent, safe care for patients. A clinical pathway defines the standard assessment data and frequency of the collection of the data needed for a specific illness or surgical procedure. These data include medical diagnostic tests, laboratory results, and vital signs, as well as fluid intake and output, for example. The pathway time frame also includes assessment points with defined outcome criteria. The responsibility of the RN is to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care and the patient's progress toward dis-charge.
Answer to Question 2
T
The RN manages the nursing and collaborative plan of care for the patient. The LPN/LVN works as a team member to carry out tasks, including assessment of the patient's response to the illness and the medical plan of care.