Final answer:
The term 'total patient care' refers to an RN's responsibility for the comprehensive supervision of a patient's care, including medical, psychological, and social aspects. Specifically, in dialysis treatments, RNs review patient history, assess and respond to needs, monitor treatment, and prepare equipment for each patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
An RN (Registered Nurse) is responsible for the total patient care of a person, which is a comprehensive approach that includes not just the medical or physical aspects but also the psychological, social, and sometimes spiritual needs of the patient. The term total patient care typically refers to an RN's direct supervision in all aspects of a patient's care, emphasizing a one-on-one level of treatment. For example, while providing dialysis treatments, RNs must review patient history, assess patient needs, monitor the entire dialysis process, and ensure accurate and sterile procedures, highlighting their comprehensive role in patient care.
Options such as patient-centered care, holistic care, and comprehensive care may incorporate elements of total patient care, but when an RN is responsible for a person's total care, the most appropriate term from the options given is total patient care (d). This includes taking and reporting a patient's vital signs, preparing solutions and equipment, responding to patient needs, and direct patient monitoring, showcasing the vast range of responsibilities falling within an RN's scope of practice.