Which term describes a card file with a summary of information found in the client's chart?

• A. Observation
• B. Assessment
• C. Kardex
• D. Goals

Answer: (C)

In healthcare documentation, a Kardex is a compact, portable card file that summarizes key information from the client’s chart. It serves as a quick reference for nurses and other clinicians, listing essentials like the patient’s diagnoses, current medications, allergies, important lab results, and the care plan. This tool helps staff move efficiently through rounds and handoffs, ensuring everyone has fast access to critical details without flipping through the full chart.

Observations are the ongoing notes about what is seen or measured in the patient’s condition. Assessments are the professional judgments made after reviewing data to determine health status and needs. Goals are the desired outcomes or targets for the patient’s care. While these concepts are part of care, they are not the compact card file that consolidates chart information, making Kardex the best fit for this description.