During the nursing process, which phase focuses on developing measurable outcomes and selecting interventions?

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

Answer: (C)

In the planning phase, you turn what you’ve learned from assessment and diagnosis into a concrete map of care by setting measurable outcomes and choosing interventions. Measurable outcomes are the specific, time-bound goals you expect the patient to achieve, with criteria that show when the goal is met (for example, pain reduced to a certain level within a set period, or wound healing progressing as expected). Interventions are the actions you’ll carry out to reach those outcomes; these can be nurse-initiated actions, physician-directed orders, or collaborative efforts with other health professionals, all aligned with evidence-based practice and the patient’s preferences and resources. The plan also prioritizes what to do first and how progress will be evaluated, so you can adjust as needed. For instance, a patient with postoperative pain might have the outcome “pain rated 3/10 or less within 2 hours,” with interventions including administering prescribed analgesics, reassessing pain after medication, applying comfort measures, and educating the patient about pain management.