In the nursing process, which step follows assessment?

In the nursing process, the step that follows assessment is nursing diagnosis. After the assessment phase, where a nurse gathers comprehensive information about the patient, including their medical history, presenting symptoms, and other relevant data, the next step is to analyze and interpret this information to identify health issues.

The nursing diagnosis involves synthesizing the data collected during the assessment to formulate clear statements regarding the patient's health status. These diagnoses guide the development of a personalized care plan, ensuring that the interventions are both relevant and effective. By establishing an accurate nursing diagnosis, nurses can target their care strategies to address the specific needs and conditions of the patient, paving the way for effective treatment and desired health outcomes.

Understanding this sequence is crucial for effective patient care. If nurses skip the nursing diagnosis step or inadequately formulate it, it can lead to inappropriate or ineffective interventions, resulting in poor patient outcomes. The nursing diagnosis thus serves as a critical foundation for the subsequent steps of goal setting, implementation, and evaluation.