A patient was recently diagnosed with pneumonia. The nurse and the patient have established a goal that the patient will not experience shortness of breath with activity in 3 days with an expected outcome of having no secretions present in the lungs in 48 hours. Which evaluative measure will the nurse use to demonstrate progress toward this goal?

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In this case, the patient's goal is to not experience shortness of breath with activity in 3 days. If the lung sounds are clear following use of inhaler, the nurse can determine that the patient is making progress toward achieving the expected outcome. One way for the nurse to evaluate the expected outcome is to assess the patient's lung sounds. Goals are broad statements that describe changes in a patient's condition or behavior. Expected outcomes are measurable criteria used to evaluate goal achievement. When an outcome is met, you know that the patient is making progress toward goal achievement. The time frame of 4 days in the first option is not appropriate because this time frame exceeds the time frame stated in the goal. Congestion indicates fluid in the lungs, and a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute is elevated/abnormal. This indicates that the patient is still probably experiencing shortness of breath and secretions in the lungs.

A Patient Was Recently Diagnosed with Pneumonia