Which professional is typically responsible for an initial assessment and ongoing care planning in home health?

• A. Registered Nurse
• B. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• C. Medical Assistant
• D. Social Worker

Answer: (A)

In home health, the professional who performs the initial comprehensive health assessment and develops the ongoing plan of care is the Registered Nurse. An RN has the training and licensure to evaluate medical history, current symptoms, medications, functional status, and safety in the home, identify nursing diagnoses, and determine the appropriate interventions. The RN then creates the plan of care and continuously revises it as the patient’s condition changes, coordinating with the physician, guiding treatments, and supervising other staff who deliver care. While Licensed Practical Nurses can provide skilled tasks under supervision and Medical Assistants or Social Workers support various aspects of care, they do not typically initiate or sustain the comprehensive nursing assessment and care planning that require nursing judgment and oversight.