Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - The Nursing Process Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - The Nursing Process related questions and content

A client being cared for by the healthcare team has a large open abdominal wound after having a surgical procedure. The wound had to be reopened due to the development of infection and is left to heal with packing and dressing changes twice daily. What would be an appropriate measurable short-term outcome for this client?

  • A. The wound will heal before the client is discharged.
  • B. The client will be responsible for changing the dressing twice a day.
  • C. The client will have no fever and no purulent discharge in 3 days.
  • D. Dressing changes will be done twice a day using aseptic technique.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The client having no fever or purulent discharge in 3 days is a realistic measurable goal. The wound is large and will not heal within the time frame of discharge. It is unrealistic to have an outcome that the client will be able to change a dressing after a surgical procedure. Dressing changes twice a day is a nursing intervention.