Which term describes beds that exist physically but currently lack staff to provide care?

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

Answer: (B)

Beds that exist physically but lack staff to provide care are unstaffed beds. This captures the distinction between having a bed you could use and having the personnel ready to deliver care. A staffed bed means there is adequate staffing to care for a patient in that bed; a licensed bed is an authorized capacity limit, not a reflection of current staffing or occupancy; and an occupied bed has a patient currently occupying it. So when there’s no staff to care for the bed, it’s considered unstaffed and not immediately available for admission.