What it means
NCLEX questions often ask which finding is expected and which is unexpected or "requires follow-up". An expected finding fits the client's diagnosis or recent procedure; an unexpected one does not, and may point to a complication. The same finding can be expected in one client and unexpected in another.
For the nurse
Compare each finding with the client's baseline and what the condition or treatment normally causes. Report unexpected findings to the provider and act on any that are urgent.
At a glance
| Also written | unexpected findings |
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Related terms
assess
To gather information about a client by looking, listening, asking, measuring and examining.
evaluate
To judge whether care worked by comparing the client's results with the goals that were set.
clinical judgment
The way a nurse notices, makes sense of and acts on information about a client to decide on the best care.