Which visit is described as a nursing evaluation conducted within specified timeframes?

• A. Start of Care Visit
• B. Therapy-Only Patient
• C. Data Collection Guidance
• D. RN Assessment Visit

Answer: (D)

When care is provided in the home health setting, the nursing evaluation within the required timing windows is done through the RN Assessment Visit. This is a formal, comprehensive nursing evaluation performed by a registered nurse within the CMS‑defined timeframes for OASIS data collection (for example, around the start of care and at other key milestones). It covers medical status, medications, vital signs, functional status, cognition, mood, wound or skin concerns, safety, and home environment. The findings from this visit drive the plan of care and ensure accurate OASIS data.

The Start of Care Visit is the initial encounter to begin services and coordinate what will be needed, but the specific nursing evaluation within the mandated windows is the RN Assessment Visit. Therapy-only patients are evaluated by therapy disciplines, not nursing, and Data Collection Guidance refers to instructions for data collection rather than a clinical nursing visit.