Nursing Process Practice Test

During planning, critical thinking is used to craft the actions that will address the patient’s problem and move toward the defined goals. This means turning a nursing diagnosis and stated outcomes into a concrete set of nursing interventions that are appropriate, feasible, safe, and evidence-based for that individual. The plan of care guides what you will do, how you will monitor progress, and how you’ll adjust if things aren’t improving.

It’s helpful to keep in mind that data gathering happens earlier in the process during assessment, and goals are established or clarified as part of planning. Medications can be a part of the interventions, but planning encompasses a full spectrum of actions—educating the patient, coordinating care, promoting mobility, managing pain, monitoring symptoms, and other steps needed to achieve the goals.