When developing discharge goals for a patient after abdominal surgery, one key element is that the goals should be:

• A. Physician-driven
• B. Patient oriented
• C. System oriented
• D. Procedure-focused

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that discharge goals should be patient-centered, reflecting what the patient can realistically do and needs to manage at home after surgery. When goals are oriented around the patient, the plan addresses the person’s abilities, home environment, values, and daily routines, making it more likely the patient will follow through and recover smoothly.

In practice, patient-focused goals guide planning to cover practical, day-to-day concerns: pain control enough to perform self-care, the ability to care for the wound and manage medications, safely advancing activity and diet, recognizing warning signs like infection, arranging follow-up care, and ensuring a support system is in place. Using this approach also aligns with SMART principles—goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—so progress can be tracked and adjustments made as needed.

If goals were physician-driven, system-oriented, or procedure-focused, they might prioritize hospital metrics, discharge timing, or the details of the surgery rather than the patient’s real-life needs and abilities at home. This can reduce motivation, hinder adherence, and miss important aspects of recovery that matter most to the patient.