Which of the following is the most valid criterion for determining the status of a patient's anxiety at discharge? The patient:
a. Has a relaxed facial expression
b. Reports that he feels more relaxed today
c. Shows no physiological signs of anxiety (e.g., pallor)
d. Asks no further questions about home care
B
A criterion is considered valid when it measures what it is intended to measure. Because anxiety is subjective (perceived by the patient), the best measure of anxiety is what the patient says about it. A relaxed facial expression and other physiological signs might or might not show the level of anxiety. Relaxation might occur, for example, because the patient is sleeping or falling asleep. The fact that a patient is not asking questions about his surgery could mean that he has adequate knowledge about the topic; it would not indicate the presence or absence of anxiety. All of the options except what the patient states could be measuring something other than anxiety.
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