Question

The nurse is caring for a bedbound patient who develops a new area of skin breakdown, despite nursing interventions focused on prevention. The nurse informs the physician and updates the care plan with new interventions. How often is the care plan evaluated after the new interventions have been put into practice?

1) Every 4 hours
2) Every shift
3) Daily
4) Weekly

Answer 1

A nurse caring for a bedbound patient should evaluate the care plan at least every shift. Bedsores, which are pressure ulcers, require timely interventions and frequent reassessment. Regular updates to the care plan are essential for effective patient management.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is caring for a bedbound patient who develops a new area of skin breakdown, it is crucial to update the care plan and evaluate the efficacy of new interventions. The frequency of care plan evaluation can vary depending on the severity of the condition, the policy of the healthcare facility, and the professional judgment of the healthcare team. However, it's common to evaluate the care plan at least every shift. Bedbound patients are at a high risk for skin breakdown, including bedsores or decubitis ulcers, which are a type of pressure ulcer that occur from prolonged pressure on the skin. Timely interventions and frequent reassessment are key to preventing the progression of these sores, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious infections like necrotizing fasciitis. Since the care plan is a dynamic document that guides the treatment and management of a patient, updating and evaluating it regularly allows for timely adjustments that can improve patient outcomes.