Final answer:
Patient teaching should be documented as part of the patient medical record for continuity of care, tracking progress, and legal purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patient teaching is very important to the prognosis for the patient. Any teaching should therefore be documented as part of the patient medical record. This is crucial for several reasons:
- Documentation ensures that the patient's progress and response to teaching can be tracked and reviewed by healthcare providers.
- It allows for continuity of care, as different healthcare professionals can access the patient's teaching history and provide consistent education.
- Documenting patient teaching is also important for legal and liability purposes, as it serves as evidence that the healthcare provider fulfilled their duty to educate the patient.