The young client says, “I’m really stressed out about this pregnancy.” When the Practical Nurse (PN) responds, “What about this pregnancy worries you?”, he or she is using the technique of:

Choice A reason: Client O2 saturation will be maintained at 95% the entire day is an example of an expected outcome that adheres to accepted criteria. An expected outcome is a measurable and realistic goal that the client should achieve as a result of the nursing interventions. Accepted criteria for writing expected outcomes include being client- centered, specific, observable, measurable, time-limited, and realistic. This outcome meets all these criteria, as it focuses on the client’s condition, states a specific value and time frame, and can be observed and measured.

Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B reason: Client will observe safety guidelines while smoking is not an example of an expected outcome that adheres to accepted criteria. This outcome is not specific, observable, or measurable, as it does not state what the safety guidelines are, how they will be observed, or how they will be evaluated. It is also not realistic, as smoking is a harmful behavior that should be discouraged or eliminated, not made safer. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: PN will assess vital signs every day is not an example of an expected outcome that adheres to accepted criteria. This outcome is not client-centered, as it focuses on the nurse’s action, not the client’s condition or response. It is also not an outcome, but rather an intervention or activity that the nurse will perform to monitor the client’s status. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Client will take part in one activity daily for the next 90 days is an example of an expected outcome that adheres to accepted criteria. This outcome is client-centered, specific, observable, measurable, time-limited, and realistic, as it focuses on the client’s participation, states a specific frequency and duration, and can be observed and measured. It also implies a positive change in the client’s behavior or lifestyle that may improve their health or well- being. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice A reason: Providing open-ended questions and silence is a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Open-ended questions can invite the client to share their thoughts and feelings about food and eating, and can help the nurse to explore the client’s perception of reality and identify any distorted thinking. Silence can give the client time to process and respond, and can show respect and acceptance. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B reason: Focusing on self-disclosure of own food preferences is not a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Self-disclosure can be appropriate in some situations, but it should be used sparingly and only when it benefits the client. Focusing on the nurse’s own food preferences can be irrelevant, distracting, or imposing, and it can shift the atention away from the client’s needs and concerns. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: Atempting to show empathy by suggesting reasons why the client may not want to eat is not a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Empathy is a valuable skill, but it should be based on understanding and reflecting the client’s feelings, not on assuming or guessing them. Suggesting reasons why the client may not want to eat can be inaccurate, patronizing, or discouraging, and it can reinforce the client’s resistance or mistrust. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Telling the client of the importance of eating is not a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Telling or lecturing the client can be perceived as authoritative, judgmental, or condescending, and it can increase the client’s defensiveness or anxiety. It can also ignore the client’s perspective or experience, and fail to address the underlying causes of their disordered thinking. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.