What is developed during the planning phase of the nursing process?

• A. A comprehensive diagnostic conclusion.
• B. A plan of care that includes client-specific goals and outcomes.
• C. A discharge summary.
• D. A record of vitals from admission.

Answer: (B)

In the planning phase, the nurse develops a plan of care that includes client-specific goals and measurable outcomes. This stage takes the data from assessment and the diagnosed needs and translates them into a concrete roadmap: setting priorities, selecting interventions, and outlining what will be done, by whom, and by when. The goals should be SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—and they should reflect the patient’s preferences and evidence-based practice. This plan provides a clear basis for evaluating progress and adjusting care as needed.

Comprehensive diagnostic conclusions come from the assessment and diagnosis steps, not the planning phase. A discharge summary is created during discharge planning, outlining what the patient and family need to know for aftercare. Vitals from admission are part of initial data collection during assessment and inform the planning, but they are not the plan itself.