Nursing interventions are determined through a systematic process that includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This process is known as the nursing process.
Assessment
The first step involves gathering comprehensive data about the patient's health status. This includes physical, emotional, social, and environmental factors. Nurses use various tools and techniques to assess patients, such as interviews, physical exams, and diagnostic tests.
Diagnosis
Based on the assessment data, nurses identify potential or actual health problems. Nursing diagnoses provide a basis for selecting appropriate interventions. These diagnoses are often formulated using standardized language from the NANDA International (NANDA-I) taxonomy.
Planning
In the planning phase, nurses develop a care plan that outlines specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. The care plan includes a list of nursing interventions tailored to address the identified diagnoses.
Implementation
During implementation, nurses carry out the planned interventions. This involves direct patient care, coordination with other healthcare providers, and documentation of the care provided.
Evaluation
The final step involves assessing the effectiveness of the interventions. Nurses evaluate whether the patient outcomes have been achieved and make necessary adjustments to the care plan.
