What is the correct order of the five steps of the nursing process?

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

Answer: (B)

The nursing process is a systematic, data‑driven sequence used to plan and deliver patient-centered care. It starts with gathering all relevant information about the patient (assessment), then interpreting that data to identify health problems (diagnosis). Next, you set specific, measurable goals and outline nursing actions to achieve them (planning). After that, you carry out those actions (implementation). Finally, you evaluate the patient’s responses to the interventions and determine whether goals were reached or need adjustments (evaluation). This order matters because planning and interventions depend on an accurate diagnosis, and evaluation depends on actually implementing the plan. Note that assessment continues throughout the process as new information emerges.