During the evaluation phase of the nursing process, what should a nurse measure?

In the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the primary focus is on measuring patient outcomes against the expected goals. This step is critical because it helps determine if the nursing interventions implemented were effective in achieving the desired health outcomes. By comparing the actual results to the expected goals, a nurse can assess the impact of the care provided, identify any gaps, and make necessary adjustments to the care plan.

Measuring patient satisfaction, time taken to deliver care, or the frequency of patient visits, while relevant in certain contexts, are not the core focus during the evaluation phase. These factors can provide important insights into the overall quality of care and efficiency of nursing practices but do not directly assess whether the specific patient outcomes have been met. The central aim of evaluation is to ensure that patients make progress toward their health goals, and this is most effectively done by comparing actual outcomes to the established objectives of their care plan.