Final answer:
Nurses should measure short-term, medium-term, and long-term outcomes, as well as changes in knowledge, skills, or behavior, and unexpected or unintended outcomes to fully assess the effectiveness of an intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the outcomes of a planned intervention, a nurse should measure a variety of outcomes to fully evaluate the intervention's effectiveness. These outcomes include:
- Short-term outcomes: These are immediate results that occur shortly after the intervention is implemented.
- Medium-term outcomes: These are results that are not immediate but can be observed after some time has passed post-intervention.
- Long-term outcomes: These are the sustained impacts of the intervention, which may be seen over an extended period.
- Changes in knowledge, skills, or behavior: This refers to educational or training interventions that lead to improved understanding, enhanced skills, or altered behaviors.
- Unexpected or unintended outcomes: It is crucial to monitor for any outcomes that were not anticipated, as these can provide important information about the intervention and its broader effects.
Monitoring a range of outcomes helps nurses and healthcare professionals make informed decisions about the continuation, modification, or cessation of interventions. It also aids in understanding the broader impact of interventions on patient health and the healthcare system.