Which phase emphasizes establishing measurable patient outcomes and a plan to achieve them?

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

Answer: (C)

Planning focuses on establishing measurable patient outcomes and a concrete plan to achieve them. In this phase, the nurse translates the goals of therapy into specific, measurable targets (for example, lowering blood pressure to a certain level, reducing pain to a defined score, or bringing a fever down within a set time). The plan then lays out exactly which actions will reach those targets, including which medications to administer, how often to monitor vital signs and labs, safety checks to prevent adverse effects, and patient education to support adherence. In pharmacology, this means pairing the chosen drug therapy with clear criteria for success and how progress will be evaluated, such as achieving therapeutic drug effects while minimizing side effects and ensuring the patient understands how to use medications correctly. Assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation play other roles: assessment gathers data, diagnosis identifies problems, and evaluation assesses whether the goals were met after implementing the plan.