Which is an example of a short-term patient goal?

• A. Client will eat at least 60% of all meals within 3 weeks.
• B. Client will regain full independence in 2 years.
• C. Client will achieve complete symptom resolution in 6 months.
• D. Client will be discharged within a year.

Answer: (A)

Short-term goals should be specific, measurable, and time-bound, focusing on a concrete milestone you can reach in the near future to guide daily care and assess progress. The example that fits this best states a precise target—eating at least 60% of all meals—and ties it to a clear deadline—within 3 weeks. This makes it easy to track whether the patient is improving and to adjust care as needed.

The other options describe outcomes that occur over much longer periods (years or months) and are not as readily observable in the near term, making them inappropriate as short-term goals. They also lack the immediate, measurable steps you’d use to gauge progress in the coming weeks.