Nursing-Sensitive Indicators are designed to reflect which aspects?

• A. Structure, process, and outcomes of nursing care.
• B. Physician prescribing patterns.
• C. Hospital facility maintenance.
• D. Pharmacist workflow efficiency.

Answer: (A)

Nursing-sensitive indicators measure the impact of nursing on patient care by looking at three linked areas: structure, process, and outcomes. Structure refers to the resources and context that enable nursing care—things like nurse staffing levels, education and competencies, and the care setting itself. Process covers what nurses actually do at the bedside—the assessments they perform, the care plans they develop, timely interventions, and coordination with the rest of the care team. Outcomes are the results that reflect nursing impact, such as rates of patient falls, pressure ulcers, hospital-acquired infections, pain control, and patient satisfaction with nursing care.

These indicators are specifically focused on how nursing care contributes to quality and safety, which is why the option that encompasses structure, process, and outcomes of nursing care is the best choice. The other options reflect aspects of medical management, facility maintenance, or pharmaceutical workflow, which do not directly measure the influence of nursing on patient outcomes.