Which statement about the primary nursing care delivery model is true?

• A. It is rigid and uses a single staffing pattern.
• B. It eliminates continuity of care.
• C. It discourages family involvement.
• D. It is flexible and uses a variety of staffing levels and mixes.

Answer: (D)

Primary nursing centers on continuity and accountability: a designated primary nurse plans and coordinates the care for a patient from admission through discharge, guiding the overall approach and ensuring consistent care across shifts. Because patient needs and staffing resources change, this model is adaptable in how staffing is organized. It can involve a mix of staff—often including RNs, LPNs, and assistive personnel—working under the primary nurse’s plan to ensure coverage and continuity. Family involvement is supported, with the primary nurse serving as a consistent point of contact and collaborator with the patient’s family. The other statements describe rigidity, loss of continuity, or discouraging family participation, which do not align with how primary nursing functions. So, it is flexible and uses a variety of staffing levels and mixes.