Final answer:
The primary role of a registered nurse as a case manager on an orthopedic unit is coordinating care for patients following joint replacement surgery, which includes developing care plans and ensuring smooth transitions between care levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary role fulfilled by a registered nurse who works as a case manager on an orthopedic unit is a. Coordinating care for patients following joint replacement surgery. As a case manager, the nurse is responsible for organizing all aspects of patient care during their stay on the orthopedic unit. This includes developing care plans in collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team, ensuring smooth transitions between different levels of care, and monitoring the patient's progress. While other roles such as obtaining insurance preauthorization, providing bedside care, and tracking infection rates are important and may be part of the nurse's responsibilities, the main focus of a nurse in a case management position is the coordination of a patient's care to promote an optimal outcome for recovery.