Goals/Outcomes: realistic & attainable describe goals that are

• A. They require frequent physician input.
• B. They must be reviewed monthly.
• C. They focus on cost containment.
• D. They describe realistic and attainable outcomes.

Answer: (D)

Focusing on realistic and attainable outcomes means setting targets that the patient can actually achieve given their current health, resources, and support. This makes goals meaningful and reachable, which helps with motivation, adherence, and progress tracking. If goals are too ambitious or vague, they’re hard to measure and can lead to frustration or disengagement. The other options describe aspects of care that may accompany goals but don’t define the nature of the goals themselves: requiring frequent physician input is a process detail, monthly reviews are about timing, and prioritizing cost containment shifts the aim away from patient-centered outcomes. So the best fit is describing outcomes that are realistic and attainable. For example, a realistic goal might be that a patient will perform a basic self-care task with supervision within a specific timeframe, rather than an undefined or impossible standard.