The nurse is caring for a patient who has had abdominal surgery but has developed a slight temperature. A patient-centered goal would be:
A) the patient's temperature will return to normal within 24 hours.
B) the nurse will medicate the patient for surgical pain every 4 hours.
C) skin integrity will be maintained until the patient is ambulatory.
D) the patient will ambulate 10 feet by post-op day 2.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patient-centered goals are written specifically for the patient. The goal should specify the activity the patient is to exhibit or demonstrate to indicate goal attainment. The activity may be the patient ambulating, eating, turning, coughing and deep breathing, or any number of other activities. These goals are written to reflect patient, not nursing, activities. Instead of focusing on the patient, the incorrect answers focus on the patient's temperature, the nurse medicating the patient, and the patient's skin integrity. Only option D focuses on the patient.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Had