Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

Which type of care typically involves hospital admission?

1. Ambulatory care

2. Long-term care

3. Acute care

4. Rehabilitation care

The correct answer is: Acute care

Acute care is the type of care that typically involves hospital admission due to the immediate need for treatment of severe or life-threatening conditions. This level of care is characterized by its focus on short-term, intense medical attention that can address urgent health concerns, such as surgeries, critical care, or emergency treatment. Patients requiring acute care often face situations like traumatic injuries, acute illnesses, or severe exacerbations of chronic conditions. The goal of acute care is to stabilize the patient’s health and provide necessary treatment until the condition is improved enough for either discharge or transfer to another level of care, such as step-down units or rehabilitation. Other types of care, such as ambulatory care, focus on outpatient services, where patients do not require overnight hospitalization. Long-term care is designed for individuals who have chronic health issues or disabilities that need ongoing support in daily living, commonly found in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Rehabilitation care supports recovery post-acute treatment but typically does not necessitate hospital admission; it often occurs in specialized facilities or outpatients after leaving acute care.