Final answer:
Nursing plan expected outcomes should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, allowing for clear, realistic, and time-oriented goals aligned with the client's condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
When formulating the expected outcome statements for a nursing plan, the nurse should include components that ensure the goals are SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Outcomes must be Specific, providing clear and detailed goals, illustrating exactly what is expected. They must be Measurable, allowing for tangible and observable progress. This involves defining criteria to determine when the goals are accomplished, ensuring outcomes are motivational and offering guidance for both instructors and students alike.
Furthermore, goals should be Achievable and appropriate, indicating that expected outcomes are realistic and within the capacity of the client to attain, which necessitates effective planning. They must also be Relevant, meaning they should align with and support comprehensive care goals, making sense within the broader picture of patient care. Lastly, setting a Time-bound element requires outcomes to have a specified deadline or target date, fostering a sense of urgency and helping to stay on course.
It is also critical to avoid making expected outcomes vague for flexibility, as this may lead to ambiguity and make it difficult to track progress. Similarly, having goals unrelated to the client's condition would be counterproductive to the patient's care plan and recovery.