Which nursing process step involves developing a care plan that outlines interventions to achieve outcomes?

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

Answer: (C)

Planning is the nursing process step that develops a care plan outlining interventions to achieve outcomes. After data are gathered and problems identified, the planning phase sets specific, measurable goals and selects the actions—such as medication administration, monitoring for effects and adverse events, and patient education—that will move toward those goals. It provides the roadmap for what will be done, by whom, and when, guiding implementation and later evaluation. The other steps serve different roles: assessment collects data, diagnosis identifies health problems, and evaluation assesses whether outcomes were reached after care has been delivered.