In the Assessment section, what disposition action follows final diagnosis?

• A. Discharge instructions or admission orders
• B. Update past medical history
• C. Schedule a follow-up appointment only
• D. Perform a patient consent review

Answer: (A)

Disposition refers to what happens to the patient after the assessment and final diagnosis. The key action is to document either discharge instructions for the patient to go home or admission orders if they need to stay for further care. This is the moment that communicates the plan and next steps, including where the patient will be and what they should do next (medications, follow-up, etc.).

Updating the past medical history is about recording new information, not deciding where or how the patient will proceed after the visit. Scheduling a follow-up appointment can be part of the plan, but it isn’t the primary disposition action itself. A patient consent review is related to consent for procedures or care and occurs in a different context, not the disposition decision after the final diagnosis.