Nurse Executive Certification Practice Exam

Which action must be performed immediately upon patient's admission?

1. Complete the preadmission screening

2. Write the admission orders

3. Begin physical therapy

4. Notify family members

The correct answer is: Write the admission orders

Upon a patient's admission, writing the admission orders is an essential action that must be performed immediately. This process involves documenting specific instructions that guide the patient's care during their hospital stay. These orders typically include medication prescriptions, diagnostic tests, dietary requirements, and other care protocols necessary for the patient's treatment plan. Timely and accurate admission orders ensure that the healthcare team has a clear understanding of how to proceed with the patient's care from the moment they are admitted, facilitating coordinated and effective treatment. Additionally, having these orders in place helps to minimize any potential delays in care and enhances patient safety. While preadmission screening, notifying family members, and initiating physical therapy are important steps in patient management, they can be addressed after the admission orders have been established. Therefore, the priority in the admission process is to write the admission orders to ensure the patient's immediate needs are met and that care begins promptly.