Linkage of strategies or interventions to established goals and outcomes is a hallmark of which phase?

• A. Assessment
• B. Nursing process
• C. Planning phase
• D. Evaluation

Answer: (C)

The planning phase is where you translate patient goals into concrete actions. In this stage you connect each chosen intervention to a specific goal or outcome, and you define how success will be measured and when reassessment will occur. This linkage makes the care plan actionable and focused on achieving the established targets—for example, a goal to reduce pain to a certain level within 24 hours is paired with a scheduled analgesic regimen, nonpharmacologic strategies, and a plan for rechecking pain at set intervals. Assessment is about gathering data to understand the current status, and evaluation looks at whether the outcomes were achieved after implementing the plan. The planning phase specifically ensures that every intervention is tied to a defined outcome and criteria for success.