Which of the following best describes beds that are physically present but not available for admission due to staffing constraints?

• A. Available beds
• B. Staffed beds
• C. Licensed beds
• D. Unstaffed beds

Answer: (D)

This item tests how you differentiate between physical capacity, staffing, and actual admission readiness. Beds that exist in the hospital but cannot be used for new admissions because there aren’t enough staff to care for patients in them are unstaffed beds. The beds are there, but without sufficient staffing, they cannot be allocated to patients, so they’re not available for admission. This contrasts with available beds, which are empty and staffed and ready to take a patient, and with licensed beds, which are the maximum number allowed by regulation (which may be more or less than the number actually staffed or available).