What is the correct order of the five steps of the nursing process?

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

Answer: (A)

The nursing process uses a clear, step-by-step flow to deliver organized patient care: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation. Start by gathering comprehensive data about the patient’s health status and needs. Then interpret that data to identify actual or potential health problems, which are expressed as nursing diagnoses. Next, plan care by setting measurable goals and choosing appropriate interventions to address those diagnoses. Put the plan into action through implementation. Finally, evaluate the outcomes to determine if the goals were met and the patient’s condition improved; this evaluation can lead to reassessment and adjustments to the plan as needed.

This sequence is correct because each step builds on the previous one: you must know the patient and identify problems before planning and acting, and you assess the results after acting to decide whether further changes are needed.