During the Evaluation phase of a care plan, what is the best action?

• A. Reassess outcomes and compare with goals.
• B. Develop a new diagnosis.
• C. Administer a medication.
• D. Collect family history.

Answer: (A)

In the evaluation phase you determine whether the patient’s outcomes were achieved by comparing what actually happened with the goals you set. This is the step that shows if the plan is working and where to go next. It isn’t about collecting new data for initial assessment, issuing treatments, or creating new diagnoses; those belong to other parts of the nursing process. By reassessing outcomes and seeing how close the patient is to the targets, you can decide to continue the plan, modify interventions, or revise goals to better fit the patient’s current condition. Documentation of what was achieved and what needs change is also essential, guiding subsequent actions and ensuring care remains patient-centered.