Federal Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

How does one typically categorize residents within "case mix"?

1. By financial status

2. By age and gender

3. By acuity of their medical needs

4. By length of stay in the facility

The correct answer is: By acuity of their medical needs

Residents within "case mix" are typically categorized by the acuity of their medical needs. This classification focuses on the severity of the health conditions and care requirements of the residents, allowing facilities to tailor services and allocate resources effectively based on the complexity of the cases presented. Understanding a resident's acuity assists in creating a more comprehensive care plan and ensures that the nursing home can adequately meet the healthcare demands of its population. This classification is essential for staffing decisions, budgeting, reimbursement purposes, and quality of care initiatives, as it directly correlates to the level of care provided. In contrast, financial status, age, and gender can influence care but are not the primary factors in determining case mix. Length of stay could be relevant for certain operational metrics but does not impact the categorization of residents in terms of clinical needs. The primary focus of case mix is on health-related variables that dictate the level of care necessary.