A nurse is caring for a client who has just undergone surgery for appendicitis.

The nurse documents in the client’s chart : “Client resting comfortably in bed with IV fluids infusing at 125 mL/hr.

Dressing clean , dry , and intact.

No complaints of pain or nausea.

Denies any problems or concerns.” This type of documentation is an example of :.

To provide continuity of care.

A care plan conference is a meeting between the nursing home staff, the resident, and the resident’s family to set measurable, specific goals for the resident to meet during their stay, decide what needs to be done to meet those goals, and decide who in the nursing home is responsible for performing each job necessary to help the resident.The main purpose of this meeting is to provide continuity of care, which means ensuring that the resident receives consistent and coordinated care across different settings and providers.

Choice A is wrong becauseto discuss possible solutions to certain client problemsis not the main purpose of a care plan conference, although it may be one of the topics discussed.

A care plan conference is not meant to address only specific problems, but rather the overall plan of care for the resident.

Choice B is wrong becauseto evaluate the effectiveness of the care givenis not the main purpose of a care plan conference, although it may be one of the outcomes of the meeting.

A care plan conference is not meant to assess only the performance of the staff, but rather the progress of the resident.

Choice C is wrong becauseto gather information for the plan of careis not the main purpose of a care plan conference, although it may be one of the steps involved.

A care plan conference is not meant to collect only information, but rather to use it to develop and update the plan of care.

“I should document any incident that occurs during my shift and notify the provider.” This statement indicates an understanding of the legal aspects of documentation, which include:.

• Documenting accurately, objectively, and completely to provide evidence of care delivery and support the nurse’s moral and legal responsibilities.

• Documenting any change in the patient’s condition, treatments, medications, interventions, client responses, and complaints.

• Documenting any incident that occurs during the shift and notifying the provider to ensure appropriate follow-up and prevent further harm.

• Documenting in a timely manner to minimize errors and omissions.

The other choices are wrong because:.

• Choice A is wrong because documenting only normal findings can mislead the client and other health professionals about the actual status of the client.It can also impede patient care and hinder the nurse’s legal defense in the event of a malpractice lawsuit.

• Choice C is wrong because documenting in advance can compromise the accuracy and integrity of the documentation.It can also lead to legal action if the documented events do not match the actual events.

• Choice D is wrong because documenting personal opinions about the client’s condition and care can be considered unprofessional, biased, and disrespectful.It can also damage the nurse-client relationship and expose the nurse to legal liability.

Normal ranges for documentation depend on the type of information being documented, such as vital signs, laboratory values, assessment findings, etc.

They may vary according to different sources and standards.

Nurses should follow the policies and procedures of their institution and use their clinical judgment when documenting abnormal findings.