In the five-step nursing process, which step directly follows Assessment?

In the five-step nursing process, which step directly follows Assessment?

• A. Diagnosis
• B. Planning
• C. Implementation
• D. Evaluation

Answer: (A)

After gathering and evaluating patient data in the assessment, the next step is to identify the problems as a nursing diagnosis. This labeling of actual or potential health issues provides the focus for planning and guides which goals and interventions to set. Planning would not occur before identifying problems, and the other steps come later: you plan, then implement, then evaluate. So the step that directly follows Assessment is Diagnosis.

After gathering and evaluating patient data in the assessment, the next step is to identify the problems as a nursing diagnosis. This labeling of actual or potential health issues provides the focus for planning and guides which goals and interventions to set. Planning would not occur before identifying problems, and the other steps come later: you plan, then implement, then evaluate. So the step that directly follows Assessment is Diagnosis.