Risk for Infection Outcomes question

[applesaucesm]

Hi,

I'm new here and could really use some help with reformulating my care plan. My 61 y.o. long-term care patient's med dx include metastatic lung cancer, and assessments show him to have immunosuppression from chemo/radiation treatments, 5 areas of existing skin breakdown, immobility, poor nutritional status, a Foley cath, and an impaired LOC (a/o x1). My nursing dx for him was Risk for Infection r/t inadequate primary and secondary defenses, malnutrition, indwelling catheter, invasive procedures and metastatic cancer. My interventions for him included skin assessment using the Braden scale, vital signs assessment, repositioning q2h, and nutritional support (offering fluids for hydration and Ensure as per existing POC for protein calorie supplementation). What I'm having problems with, is phrasing my outcomes. I know we're supposed to phrase them in the context of "pt will..." and they have to be measurable directly by the interventions, but beyond that I'm not sure where to go. My initial thought was that the only thing I can realistically do for this guy is try to catch any early s/s of infection (aeb inflammation signs and fever/increased BP/increased resp), rationale being that the sooner infection is caught the sooner treatment can begin and the more likely a positive outcome. I'm not sure how to phrase all that in a "pt will..." outcome format. I'd like to incorporate all my interventions into my care plan, but I'm only allowed 2 outcomes and they both have to be specific and measure a single factor. I guess I've just got too much information that I'm trying to fit into too narrow a mold. Any ideas by experienced people would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks!

yana

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Important to remember pain may be the most promnent indicator of infection in the client.

Google "ackley risk for infection care plan" and you will get a link to a care plan with some examples of pt outcomes.

[tech1000]

I like "Pt will maintain respirations below 20" or "Pt will maintain temp under 99" or whatever. Also, cancer is a medial diagnosis, so that shouldn't be in your nursing dx. I would make "Risk for infection r/t" each one of your things. Your one dx shouldn't be risk for infection r/t 6 different things.