Final answer:
Intermediate care is a level of patient care that falls between general care and intensive care in a healthcare setting. It provides comprehensive monitoring and treatment but is less intensive than intensive care. Example: a patient post-surgery in need of continuous monitoring and specialized care may be admitted to an intermediate care unit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intermediate care is a level of patient care that falls between general care and intensive care in a healthcare setting. It is designed to provide more comprehensive monitoring and treatment than general care but is less intensive than intensive care. Intermediate care units often cater to patients who require continuous monitoring, specialized nursing care, and frequently, additional interventions such as respiratory support, medication administration, or wound care.
Example: A patient who has undergone major surgery and requires close monitoring of vital signs, pain management, intravenous antibiotics, and wound care may be admitted to an intermediate care unit instead of a general medical-surgical unit.