Fundamentals of Nursing Q 29

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The following statement appears on the nursing care plan for an immunosuppressed client: The client will remain free from infection throughout hospitalization. This statement is an example of a (an):

  

     A. Nursing diagnosis

     B. Short-term goal

     C. Long-term goal

     D. Expected outcome

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Short-term goal

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Short-term goals can act as stepping stones to achieving longer-term targets. For example, a client may have the long-term goal of being able to groom herself, including cleaning her teeth, washing her face, combing her hair, and applying her make-up on her own. A short-term goal for this client might be to be able to clean her teeth.

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Option A: Actual or potential health problems that can be prevented or resolved by independent nursing intervention are termed nursing diagnoses. NANDA nursing diagnoses are a uniform way of identifying, focusing on, and dealing with specific client needs and responses to actual and high-risk problems.

Option C: Long-term goals are often used for clients who have chronic health problems or who live at home, in nursing homes, or extended-care facilities. Long-term goal indicates an objective to be completed over a longer period, usually over weeks or months.

Option D: Goals or desired outcomes describe what the nurse hopes to achieve by implementing the nursing interventions and are derived from the client’s nursing diagnoses. One overall goal is determined for each nursing diagnosis. The terms goal, outcome, and expected outcome are oftentimes used interchangeably.

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