To assess outcomes after rehabilitation, which information should the nurse consider?

• A. Functional improvement and quality of life.
• B. Blood pressure and heart rate changes.
• C. Medication adherence.
• D. Caregiver satisfaction with care.

Answer: (A)

Rehabilitation outcomes are best judged by the patient’s ability to perform daily activities and by their overall quality of life. Functional improvement reflects actual gains in independence—so you can see how well the patient can ambulate, dress, bathe, feed themselves, and manage everyday tasks. This tells you how effective the rehab program is at restoring practical abilities the patient uses every day.

Quality of life matters because it captures the patient’s personal sense of well-being, satisfaction, and participation in meaningful activities. Even with measurable improvements in function, the patient’s perceived life quality and ability to engage socially and emotionally are crucial in determining overall success of rehabilitation.

While other factors like blood pressure and heart rate changes indicate medical stability, and medication adherence shows consistency in treatment, they don’t directly measure how well rehabilitation has restored independence or enhanced daily living. Caregiver satisfaction, though important for overall care dynamics, is not the primary measure of rehab outcome.