Author Question: A charge nurse is reviewing outcome statements using the SMART approach. Which patient outcome ... (Read 98 times)

Jkov05 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A charge nurse is reviewing outcome statements using the SMART approach. Which patient outcome statement will the charge nurse praise to the new nurse?

a. The patient will ambulate in hallways.
b. The nurse will monitor the patient's heart rhythm continuously this shift.
c. The patient will feed self at all mealtimes today without reports of shortness of breath.
d. The nurse will administer pain medication every 4 hours to keep the patient free from discomfort.

Question 2

A patient's plan of care includes the goal of increasing mobility this shift. As the patient is ambulating to the bathroom at the beginning of the shift, the patient suffers a fall. Which initial action will the nurse take next to revise the plan of care?

a. Consult physical therapy.
b. Establish a new plan of care.
c. Set new priorities for the patient.
d. Assess the patient.

Anonymous · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
An expected outcome should be patient centered; should address one patient response; should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed (SMART approach). The statement The patient will feed self at all mealtimes today without reports of shortness of breath includes all SMART criteria for goal writing. The patient will ambulate in hallways is missing a time limit. Administering pain medication and monitoring the patient's heart rhythm are nursing interventions; they do not reflect patient behaviors or actions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Nurses revise a plan when a patient's status changes; assessment is the first step. Know also that a plan of care is dynamic and changes as the patient's needs change. Asking physical therapy to assist the patient is premature before assessing the patient and awaiting the health care provider's orders. The nurse may not need to disregard all previous diagnoses. Some diagnoses may still apply, but the patient needs to be assessed first. Setting new priorities is not recommended before assessment and establishing diagnoses.