Which phase involves carrying out the planned actions to achieve goals?

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

Answer: (A)

Carrying out the planned actions to achieve goals happens during the implementation phase. This is the stage where the nurse puts the care plan into action—administering medications, monitoring therapeutic and adverse effects, teaching the patient, coordinating with the health care team, and documenting what is done and what is observed. In pharmacology practice, this is when drugs are given, dosages and schedules are followed or adjusted as needed, and patient responses are tracked to move toward the goals.

The other phases focus on different tasks: assessment involves gathering data to identify needs and baselines; planning involves setting goals and selecting interventions; evaluation involves reviewing outcomes after actions have been taken to determine if goals were met and to adjust the plan accordingly.