A charge nurse reviews outcome statements (patient goals) written by a novice nurse. Which patient outcome statement will the charge nurse identify as written accurately?
The patient will ambulate in the hallways.
The nurse will administer pain medication every 4 hours to keep the patient free from discomfort.
The nurse will monitor the patient's heart rhythm continuously this shift.
The patient will feed self at all mealtimes today without reports of shortness of breath.
The Correct Answer is D
A. This statement is incomplete because it lacks a specific time frame and a measurable distance or frequency. A well-written outcome must be SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed. Without these components, the nursing team cannot objectively evaluate whether the patient has successfully met the goal or if the plan of care needs to be modified.
B. This statement describes a nursing intervention rather than a patient outcome. Outcome statements must focus on the behavior, responses, or status of the patient, not the actions performed by the healthcare provider. Goals are designed to measure the patient's progress toward health, while interventions are the steps the nurse takes to facilitate that progress.
C. Similar to the previous choice, this statement incorrectly focuses on the nurse's behavior. Monitoring is a clinical action performed by staff, not a measurable change in the patient's health status. An appropriate patient-centered goal for this scenario might focus on the patient maintaining a stable sinus rhythm or remaining asymptomatic during the duration of the shift.
D. This statement is written accurately because it is patient-centered, measurable, and includes a clear time frame ("today"). It specifies the criteria for success (feeding self at all mealtimes) and includes a condition for that success (without shortness of breath). This allows the nursing staff to clearly evaluate the patient's functional status and respiratory tolerance at the end of the day.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A.Creating a daily "brain" sheet and prioritizing tasks based on patient acuity and time-sensitive interventions is the gold standard for nursing efficiency. This strategy allows the nurse to organize the shift into manageable segments while ensuring that high-priority needs are met. Planning reduces the cognitive load and prevents the omission of critical care components.
B.Multitasking often leads to a decrease in cognitive performance and an increase in clinical errors due to divided attention. In nursing, performing multiple complex tasks at once—such as calculating dosages while talking on the phone—compromises patient safety. True efficiency comes from focused task completion and intentional transitions rather than simultaneous execution of unrelated tasks.
C.Ignoring changes in client status is a dangerous practice that can lead to adverse patient outcomes and legal liability. A nurse must be flexible and prepared to reprioritize their entire schedule if a patient's condition deteriorates. Effective time management involves constant reassessment and the ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of the clinical environment.
D.Leaving documentation until the end of the shift often results in inaccurate or "canned" charting because specific details are forgotten. It also leads to stay-over time, which contributes to burnout and fatigue. Real-time or "point-of-care" documentation is the preferred strategy to ensure data integrity and to keep the multidisciplinary team updated.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A.Older adults may require extra time for instruction due to age-related changes in processing speed and the potential for sensory deficits. Allowing additional time ensures the client can ask questions and demonstrates the nurse's patience, which reduces anxiety and enhances learning. Rushing the educational process can lead to misunderstandings and poor medication adherence in this population.
B.Providing reading materials in a small font size is inappropriate for older adults who may have presbyopia or other visual impairments. Educational materials should be printed in at least a 14-point font with high contrast to ensure readability. Clear, large text facilitates the client's ability to independently review and follow medication instructions at home without experiencing significant eye strain.
C.Presenting information in lengthy segments can lead to cognitive overload and decreased retention of essential details. Effective teaching for older adults involves "chunking" information into small, manageable pieces that focus on one concept at a time. This allows the client to process and master each step of the medication regimen before moving on to more complex instructions.
D.Using a high tone of voice is often counterproductive because many older adults experience presbycusis, which is the loss of ability to hear high-frequency sounds. A high-pitched voice may sound distorted or muffled to the client. The nurse should use a lower-pitched, clear, and moderately paced speaking voice while facing the client to facilitate better auditory comprehension.
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