Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) Practice Exam

Which patient types are typically considered acute care patient types?

1. Observation, newborn, Emergency (ED).

2. Chronic, outpatient, elderly.

3. Palliative, hospice, terminal.

4. Routine, follow-up, annual.

The correct answer is: Observation, newborn, Emergency (ED).

The patient types that are typically considered acute care patient types include observation, newborn, and emergency department (ED) patients. Acute care refers to short-term treatment services that are focused on individuals experiencing a sudden onset of illness, injury, or exacerbation of conditions that require immediate attention. Observation patients are often those who are admitted for monitoring and assessment to determine if they need further inpatient treatment or can be safely discharged. They require immediate care and evaluation based on their condition. Newborns, particularly those requiring immediate medical attention after birth, also fall under acute care as they may need intensive monitoring or interventions. Emergency department patients represent another critical acute care group, as they present with urgent medical needs that must be addressed promptly, ranging from trauma to serious medical conditions. In contrast, the other options describe patient types that generally do not require immediate, intensive care. Chronic patients typically manage ongoing health conditions over an extended period, outpatient refers to those receiving care without being admitted to a hospital, and elderly patients may be assessed in various contexts that do not automatically indicate acute care. Palliative and hospice care patients are focused on comfort and quality of life, often as part of end-of-life care rather than acute treatment. Finally, routine, follow-up, and annual patients