Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Case Manager Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

Subacute care is designed for patients who need more intensive services than what can be provided in a traditional outpatient setting but do not require the full resources of an inpatient hospital. This type of care typically addresses complex medical needs that require a structured environment, often serving as a transitional phase between hospitalization and home.

In the context of the scenario described, patients who do not meet the criteria for inpatient hospitalization but cannot return home often benefit from subacute care. This setting allows for ongoing medical supervision and rehabilitation services tailored to patients who may be recovering from surgery, illness, or injury and need more support than they can receive at home.

While palliative care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and stress of serious illness, and skilled nursing care emphasizes medical interventions for those needing rehabilitation or continuous care, subacute care specifically fills the gap for patients needing comprehensive rehabilitation or medical management without the need for full hospitalization. Custodial long-term care, on the other hand, primarily offers assistance with daily living activities and does not necessarily involve medical oversight.

Therefore, subacute care is the most appropriate option in this context, as it provides the necessary support for patients who need more than a home environment but do not require the intensive resources of an acute care hospital.