Patient goals

[direw0lf, BSN]

I don't know if anyone else has to use this software called Shadow health. It's required in our program. It's a simulation of a patient and you are the nurse. I have trouble with the setting goals and using evidence-based implementations part. We learned the nursing process in class, but didn't do any care plan yet. So far though the teacher doesn't seem to be grading that part. The grade is really based on the subjective and objective part of the exam so I'm getting A's. But I want to do it right since this takes me 2 hours to do I might as well be learning or understanding all of it.

For example I just did a virtual respiratory assessment and exam on a patient with asthma in the hospital. Then I was asked what are my goals for the patient. I heard adventitious sounds (wheezing and slight prolonged expiration).

I said for my goals: "Patient will have increased breathing in 2 days." and "Patient will have a consultation with an asthma specialist in 2 weeks." (because she said she didn't see a specialist for 2 years)

For my evidence-based implementations I wrote "I will implement the use of the spirometer for breathing exercises. I will teach the patient about the importance of seeing a specialist and help her make an appointment." And how to check if my implementations are good I wrote "I will reassess lung sounds in 2 days." (I didn't have anything for the consultation..)

Is what I wrote good or not good please? We don't go over these assignments we just turn them in and get the grade. Thanks!

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

For your goals, you have to have a measureable outcome. "Increased breathing" is very non-specific and subjective. A better goal would be "Pt will have clear lung sounds within 2 days", if the wheezing is acute.