What are the four steps in the nursing process?

The nursing process is a systematic method used by nurses to ensure comprehensive care for patients, and it comprises four major steps which focus on delivering effective, evidence-based care. The correct answer outlines the five essential steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

In the first step, assessment, nurses collect pertinent data about the patient’s health status through observations, interviews, and physical examinations. This thorough understanding forms the foundation for nursing care.

The diagnosis step involves using the gathered data to identify the patient's health issues or problems. It is a critical phase where the nurse analyzes the information to determine an appropriate nursing diagnosis, often guided by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA).

Planning follows diagnosis and involves setting measurable and achievable goals for the patient's care based on the identified problems. Care plans are crafted to address each nursing diagnosis, along with interventions that will help reach these goals.

Implementation is the action phase, where the nurse carries out the interventions outlined in the care plan, providing direct patient care and support.

Finally, evaluation is the step where the nurse assesses the effectiveness of the interventions against the goals established during the planning phase. This may result in revising the care plan based on the patient's progress.

The inclusion of all five steps in the