What is the primary purpose of the Evaluation step in the nursing process?

• A. To determine whether goals were met and adjust care
• B. To collect data for initial assessment
• C. To implement planned interventions
• D. To identify new problems

Answer: (A)

Evaluation is the step that checks how the patient is responding to the care and whether the planned outcomes were achieved. It involves reviewing objective measures, patient feedback, and other data to see if progress toward the expected goals has occurred within the designated time frame. If outcomes aren’t met or if the patient’s condition changes, the care plan is revised—interventions may be intensified, modified, or new goals set to better fit the current status. This step ties the whole process together by confirming effectiveness and guiding any necessary adjustments, while ongoing assessment may also reveal new problems to address.