What term is used to describe patients whose condition is not expected to change significantly in the near future?

The term used to describe patients whose condition is not expected to change significantly in the near future is "stable patients." Stability in a medical context refers to a state in which a patient’s vital signs, symptoms, and clinical status are consistent and do not show significant deterioration or improvement. This indicates that the healthcare team can predict the course of the patient's condition with a reasonable degree of certainty, allowing them to plan care accordingly.

Stable patients typically require monitoring and regular assessments, but their condition is not in immediate jeopardy. This means that although they may have ongoing health concerns, such as chronic illnesses or stable acute conditions, their overall status is not expected to fluctuate dramatically over a short time frame.

In contrast, other terms in the choices indicate different states of health. Critical patients are in a life-threatening situation, requiring immediate attention. Acute patients have conditions that are severe and sudden, often requiring urgent intervention. Chronic patients are those with long-lasting conditions that may fluctuate over time but are not necessarily stable. Thus, the emphasis on the absence of significant change in the context of stability firmly establishes the rationale for identifying stable patients as the correct term.