Long-term goals may take weeks or months to achieve and are accompanied by what?

• A. They are within hours
• B. They require no plan
• C. They are unmeasurable
• D. They may take weeks or months to achieve and are accompanied by a target date

Answer: (D)

Long-term goals are set to be achieved over weeks or months, so they need a target date to create a usable timeline for action and evaluation. The date provides a deadline that guides planning, helps monitor progress, and shows when outcomes should be reached, which is essential for coordinating care and discharge planning in nursing. Without a plan and a time-bound target, progress toward a long-term goal becomes vague and hard to assess. In contrast, goals described as occurring within hours are short-term, and goals that lack a concrete plan or measurable date cannot be reliably evaluated.