Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What type of clinical pathway provides direction for care by recommending actions?

1. Regulatory

2. Prescriptive

3. Authoritarian

4. Descriptive

The correct answer is: Descriptive

The type of clinical pathway that provides direction for care by recommending actions is prescriptive. Prescriptive clinical pathways are specifically designed to guide healthcare providers in implementing standardized treatment protocols. They offer detailed instructions on the recommended actions for patient care, which can include diagnostic tests, interventions, and follow-up procedures. Prescriptive pathways are evidence-based and facilitate consistency in treatment, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that care adheres to proven guidelines and practices. They serve as a roadmap for clinicians to follow, making the clinical decision-making process more straightforward and reducing variations in care. In contrast, regulatory pathways may focus on compliance with laws or standards rather than specific treatment actions, descriptive pathways tend to outline what has happened or will happen without explicitly recommending actions, and authoritarian pathways imply a strict control over the care process instead of collaborative guidelines. Each of these alternatives lacks the specific, actionable guidance that is characteristic of prescriptive pathways.