Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

The evaluation phase of the nursing process is fundamentally focused on determining the effectiveness of the care provided and assessing patient outcomes against the goals that were set during earlier phases. During this phase, nurses engage in reassessment of the patient's condition and progress, which involves comparing the patient's current status to the established expected outcomes. This is essential to determine whether interventions were successful or if adjustments need to be made in the care plan.

Conducting an audit can also be part of this phase, as it involves reviewing processes and outcomes to ensure that standards of care were met and to enhance quality improvement initiatives. Reassessment ensures that nursing care continues to meet the evolving needs of the patient, reflecting the dynamic nature of patient care.

In contrast, data collection primarily occurs in the assessment phase, while decision-making and judgment, along with priority-setting and expected outcomes, are crucial during the planning and implementation phases. Therefore, focusing on reassessment and audit clearly aligns with the evaluation phase's objectives of determining the success of nursing interventions and adjusting care accordingly.