Discharge Planning for COPD Patient

As a registered nurse, you are responsible for managing the care of multiple patients throughout your shift. One of your patients, a 60-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is being discharged home after two days in the hospital. During the discharge planning meeting, you identify various community resources available for him, including access to a home health care service and a local pulmonary rehabilitation program.

As part of your case management responsibility, you must create a comprehensive discharge plan tailored to the patient's needs. Before finalizing the discharge, the patient must understand both the medications prescribed and the follow-up appointments scheduled.

What is the key component that must be included in the discharge plan to ensure effective management of the patient's post-discharge care?

Fill in the blank: It is essential to include a thorough review of the patient's __________ to promote adherence to the discharge plan.