Patient classifi cation systems measure nursing workload required by the patient. The higher the patient’s acuity, the more care the patient requires.

Which of the following statements is a weakness of classifi cation systems?

A. Patient classifi cation data are useful in predicting the required staffi ng for the next shift and for justifying nursing hours provided.

B. Patient classifi cation data can be utilized by the nurse making assignments to determine what level of care a patient requires.

C. Classifi cation systems typically focus on nursing tasks rather than a holistic view of a patient’s needs.

D. Aggregate patient classifi cation data are useful in costing out nursing services and for developing the nursing budget.