What can be a consequence of failing to document changes in a patient's condition?

The consequence of failing to document changes in a patient's condition is indeed that it can lead to delayed evaluations of treatment effectiveness. When changes in a patient's health or response to treatment are not accurately recorded, healthcare providers may lack the necessary information to assess how well a treatment is working. This can hinder their ability to make timely adjustments to the patient's care plan, ultimately affecting the patient's health outcomes. Proper documentation is critical in ensuring continuity of care, which allows for a comprehensive understanding of the patient's progress and informs decisions about future treatment strategies. Without this clarity, healthcare providers may miss warning signs or fail to recognize improvements, leading to suboptimal care.