What outcome should a nurse look for when evaluating patient care?

In evaluating patient care, the effectiveness of pain management strategies is a critical outcome for a nurse to consider. Effective pain management is fundamental to patient comfort, recovery, and overall satisfaction with care. It directly impacts a patient's ability to engage in activities of daily living, participate in rehabilitation, and experience a better quality of life. When assessing outcomes related to pain management, a nurse can determine whether the interventions implemented are alleviating pain effectively or if adjustments are necessary to improve patient outcomes.

Focusing on patient-centered results, such as pain relief, allows healthcare providers to make informed decisions about treatment plans and resource allocation. It also aligns with broader healthcare goals of improving patient experiences and outcomes in clinical settings. While changes in demographics, staff attendance rates, and supply costs are important considerations within the healthcare system, they do not directly reflect the patient's response to medical interventions or the quality of care provided to the individual.