Question

A nurse is evaluating goals and expected outcomes for a confused patient. Which finding indicates positive progress toward resolving the confusion?

a.Patient wanders halls at night.
b.Patient's side rails are up with bed alarm activated.
c.patient denies pain while ambulating with assistance.
d.Patient correctly states names of family members in the room.

Answer 1

Positive progress toward resolving confusion is signified by the patient's ability to correctly state the names of family members in the room, demonstrating an improvement in awareness of personal identity and surrounding circumstances, indicative of recovering cognitive abilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The finding that indicates positive progress toward resolving the confusion for a confused patient is when the patient correctly states the names of family members in the room.

This demonstrates an improvement in orientation and memory, key components in the cognitive functioning of the patient.

A nurse would interpret this as progress because it shows the patient's awareness of their immediate circumstances, including awareness of who they are, where they are, and the presence of familiar people, all of which are indicative of recovering cognitive abilities.

Other options, such as a patient wandering the halls at night or needing bed rails and an alarm for safety do not necessarily indicate cognitive improvement, while denying pain during ambulation is not directly related to cognitive status.

Healthcare professionals, including the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, often reevaluate the patient's cognitive and physical status during recovery to ensure that goals are being met and to update care plans accordingly.