What should be in the nursing policy/procedure manual?

• A. Administrative staff scheduling and payroll procedures
• B. Cleaning and laundry procedures only
• C. All procedures performed within a facility - ambulation, body alignment, positioning, ROM; elimination; nutritional care; etc
• D. Marketing and community outreach plans

Answer: (C)

In nursing practice, the policy/procedure manual serves as the reference for how care is delivered, providing standardized methods to keep patients safe and ensure quality. It should cover every procedure that nurses perform within the facility—from helping patients move and position safely, to range-of-motion exercises, to elimination assistance, to nutritional care, and beyond. This comprehensive scope ensures consistent care, proper documentation, infection control, safety precautions, and clear steps for common situations.

Options that focus only on administrative tasks (like scheduling and payroll), only on cleaning and laundry, or on marketing and outreach miss the essential clinical coverage that guides day-to-day patient care. The nursing manual needs to reflect all procedures performed within the facility, ensuring nurses have a complete, unified guide for delivering care.