In the nursing process, which activity is part of the Evaluation phase?

• A. Collect data.
• B. Compare outcomes to criteria.
• C. Formulate nursing diagnoses.
• D. Plan interventions.

Answer: (B)

Evaluation focuses on determining whether patient outcomes were achieved by comparing actual results to predefined criteria or standards. This comparison reveals whether goals were met and informs whether the care plan should continue as is, be adjusted, or be terminated. For example, if the goal is pain reduction to a mild level, evaluation checks the current pain score against that target. Collecting data happens during the assessment phase, formulating nursing diagnoses occurs in the diagnostic phase, and planning interventions happens in the planning phase; evaluation uses the outcomes data across those phases to decide the next steps.