The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient who has chronic lung disease and hypoxia. The patient has been admitted for increased oxygen needs above a baseline of 2 L/min. The nurse develops a goal stating, "The patient will have oxygen saturations of 95% on room air at the time of discharge from the hospital." What is wrong with this goal?

Question

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient who has chronic lung disease and hypoxia. The patient has been admitted for increased oxygen needs above a baseline of 2 L/min. The nurse develops a goal stating, "The patient will have oxygen saturations of >95% on room air at the time of discharge from the hospital." What is wrong with this goal?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This goal is not realistic because the patient has chronic lung disease and hypoxia, which may make it difficult to achieve oxygen saturations of >95% on room air. A more realistic goal may be to maintain a stable oxygen saturation level throughout the hospital stay and to minimize oxygen needs as much as possible without causing respiratory distress.

The Nurse Is Developing a Plan of Care for a Patient