Which phase focuses on developing a comprehensive plan of care?

The Planning Phase is essential in nursing as it is the stage where a comprehensive plan of care is developed based on the data collected during the Assessment Phase. This phase involves setting realistic and measurable goals tailored to the patient's specific needs and circumstances, and determining the interventions necessary to achieve those goals.

During the Planning Phase, nurses collaborate with patients and other healthcare team members to prioritize health issues and outline strategies that will effectively address them. This includes selecting appropriate nursing interventions and considering resources that are available and any potential barriers to care. A well-structured plan of care serves as a guide for subsequent implementation and evaluation of the patient's progress.

In contrast, the Implementation Phase focuses on carrying out the planned interventions, the Assessment Phase is concerned with gathering thorough and accurate information about the patient's health status, and the Evaluation Phase involves assessing the effectiveness of the implemented care plan. Therefore, the emphasis on developing a comprehensive plan of care clearly aligns with the objectives of the Planning Phase.