When does a 24-hour quarters period expire?

• A. End of the current day.
• B. After 24 hours from start.
• C. At the end of the next business day.
• D. At the start of the patient's regular work shift the next day.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that the 24-hour quarter is tied to the patient’s shift schedule, not to the clock turning midnight. This period ends at the start of the patient’s regular work shift the next day. That alignment with shift changes keeps handoffs clear and accountability consistent for the care team. For example, if the patient’s next shift begins at 0700, the 24-hour quarter ends at 0700 the following day, when the new shift starts. End-of-day, a fixed 24 hours from the start, or the end of the next business day don’t reflect the way care teams coordinate transitions, so they aren’t the correct boundary.