The novice nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is preparing a plan of care for a client admitted for irritable bowel syndrome. The goal statement is, "The client will resume normal bowel elimination patterns."

Question

When reviewing the plan of care with the novice nurse, which statement by the preceptor is the most appropriate?
1. "This plan of care has an appropriate goal statement which meets criteria."
2. "This goal statement requires a time frame to be appropriate."
3. "This goal statement is not reflective of the client's admitting diagnosis."
4. "This care plan is accurate and will be placed in the client's medical record."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
This goal statement does not meet criteria as it lacks a time frame. Time frames are an important component of goal statements and provide guidelines for when to evaluate the achievement of the goal. The defining characteristics of the diagnosis and the etiology of the diagnosis are components of the diagnostic statement. The nurse's role in achieving the goal is not a component of the goal statement.