Overview of the Nursing Process
| Component and Description | Purpose | Activities |
| AssessingCollecting, organizing, validating, and documenting client data | To establish a database about the client’s response to health concerns or illness and the ability to manage health care needs | Establish a database:
Update data as needed Organize data Validate data Communicate/document data |
| DiagnosingAnalyzing and synthesizing data | To identify client strengths and health problems that can be prevented or resolved by collaborative and independent nursing interventions.To develop a list of nursing diagnoses and collaborative problems. | Interpret and analyze data:
Determine client’s strengths, risks, and problems Formulate nursing diagnoses and collaborative problem statements |
| PlanningDetermining how to prevent, reduce, or resolve the identified client problems; how to support client strengths; and how to implement nursing interventions in an organized, individualized, and goal-directed manner | To develop and individualized care plan that specifies client goals/desired outcomes and related nursing interventions. | Set priorities and goals/outcomes in collaboration with clientWrite goals/desired outcomes
Select nursing strategies/interventions Consult with other health professionals Write nursing orders and nursing care plan Communicate care plan to relevant healthcare providers |
| ImplementingCarrying out the planned nursing interventions | To assist the client to meet desired goals/outcomes; promote wellness and disease; restore health; and facilitate coping with altered functioning. | Reassess the client to update the databaseDetermine need for nursing assistance
Perform or delegate planned nursing interventions Communicate what nursing actions were implemented:
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| EvaluatingMeasuring the degree to which goals/outcomes have been achieved and identifying factors that positively or negatively influence goal achievement | To determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the plan of care. | Collaborate with client and collect data related to desired outcomesJudge whether goals/outcomes have been achieved
Relate nursing actions to client outcomes Make decisions about problem status Review and modify the care plan as indicated or terminate nursing care |
