Which phase asks if the patient has achieved the expected outcomes?

Which phase asks if the patient has achieved the expected outcomes?

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

Answer: (C)

Evaluation is the phase where you determine whether the patient has achieved the expected outcomes set during planning. After implementing care, you collect data on the patient’s current status and compare it to the predefined outcome criteria. This comparison shows whether goals were fully met, partially met, or not met, and it guides the next steps—whether to continue, modify, or discontinue the plan. For example, if the goal is to reduce pain to a specified level within a set timeframe, evaluation would involve checking the pain score at that time and deciding if the target was reached. If it was, you’d maintain the plan or gradually scale back; if not, you’d revise the interventions or set new outcomes. The other phases focus on gathering information (assessment), defining the plan (planning), and carrying out the plan (implementation), while evaluation specifically answers the question about whether the outcomes were achieved.

Evaluation is the phase where you determine whether the patient has achieved the expected outcomes set during planning. After implementing care, you collect data on the patient’s current status and compare it to the predefined outcome criteria. This comparison shows whether goals were fully met, partially met, or not met, and it guides the next steps—whether to continue, modify, or discontinue the plan.

For example, if the goal is to reduce pain to a specified level within a set timeframe, evaluation would involve checking the pain score at that time and deciding if the target was reached. If it was, you’d maintain the plan or gradually scale back; if not, you’d revise the interventions or set new outcomes. The other phases focus on gathering information (assessment), defining the plan (planning), and carrying out the plan (implementation), while evaluation specifically answers the question about whether the outcomes were achieved.