Study 6 Evaluating Outcomes and Revising Care with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
How does evaluation connect nursing-process cycles?
Evaluation closes one nursing-process cycle and begins the next: reassess the patient, compare findings with expected outcomes and time frames, interpret the results, then continue or revise the plan.
What are the three outcome statuses?
Outcomes may be met, partially met, or not met.
What qualities make an outcome useful?
A useful outcome is specific, measurable, patient-centered, and time-limited.
How should current findings be compared with a goal?
Compare the patient’s current findings with the stated measure and determine whether the expected response occurred by its deadline.
What does comparing baseline and trend reveal?
Compare the patient’s current condition with the baseline and trend to determine whether the patient is improving, unchanged, or worsening.
Why consider more than one assessment cue?
Use multiple relevant cues, such as symptoms, assessment findings, vital signs, function, and results, to support the evaluation.
What should evaluation establish about the patient’s experience?
Ask about symptoms and whether the care plan is acceptable and manageable for the patient.
How should care respond when findings show improvement?
Continue appropriate interventions and reassess as planned; update or close the goal once it is achieved.
What is the first response to partial progress or no change?
Reassess the patient and the intervention before deciding what to change.
What should be checked about the patient and assessment when an outcome is unmet?
Check whether the patient’s condition or priority changed, and whether the assessment cues are accurate and complete.
What should be verified about an intervention that did not meet the goal?
Check whether the intervention was carried out as planned and whether its effect was reassessed.
What barriers may help explain an unmet outcome?
Consider barriers such as discomfort, misunderstanding, access, or the patient’s preferences.