The nurse writes the following goal for a client who is hypertensive:

The nurse writes the following goal for a client who is hypertensive: “Client will maintain a blood pressure within acceptable limits.” Which of the following would be the most appropriate out-come criterion?

1. “Client will request pain medication as needed.”
2. “Client will experience no headache or dizziness.”
3. “Client will identify at least two things that cause stress.”
4. “Client will have a 7 AM blood pressure reading less than 140/90.”

ANSWER

ANS: 4
“Client will have a 7 AM blood pressure reading less than 140/90” would be the most appropriate outcome criterion. It is client-centered, singular, observable, measurable, time-limited, and realis-tic. “Client will request pain medication as needed” does not allow the nurse to be able to deter-mine if change has taken place. It would be more measurable to state the client will rate pain be-low 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 by 24 hours. “Client will experience no headache or dizziness” is not time-limited. “Client will identify at least two things that cause stress” is not time-limited or sin-gular.