What it means
Care that comes after an earlier step. It can be a clinic visit after discharge, a phone call after a procedure, or a nurse rechecking pain 30 to 60 minutes after giving a pain drug. On the exam, a finding that "needs follow-up" is one the nurse must look into further; see immediate follow-upih-MEE-dee-it FOL-oh-upAction the nurse must take right away, such as checking further, acting or reporting.Full entry for the urgent form.
For the nurse
Every intervention needs a follow-up check: did it work? Recheck vital signs, pain or blood glucose at the time set by policy, and write down the result. Make sure the client knows the date and reason for any follow-up appointment before discharge.
In a chart
"Pain 7/10, oxycodone given at 1400; follow-up at 1445: pain 3/10."
At a glance
| Spanish | seguimiento |
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Related terms
intervention
An action taken to help a client, such as a treatment, a test, a teaching session or a nursing action.
immediate follow-up
Action the nurse must take right away, such as checking further, acting or reporting.
evaluate
To judge whether care worked by comparing the client's results with the goals that were set.
discharge
The release of a client from a hospital or care setting; also, fluid that flows out of a body part.