Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

In the nursing process, prioritizing care needs for a home health client illustrates which nursing step?

1. Diagnosis and evaluation

2. Implementation and reassessment

3. Planning and outcome

4. Assessment and intervention

The correct answer is: Planning and outcome

Prioritizing care needs for a home health client directly relates to the planning and outcome steps of the nursing process. During the planning phase, nurses develop interventions based on the assessment data collected, which are tailored to meet the specific needs of the client. This involves establishing goals and determining the priority of care to ensure that the most critical needs of the client are addressed first. The outcome part of this step encompasses the expected results from the interventions, allowing for the evaluation of whether the care provided has achieved the desired effects. In the context of home health, this means assessing the client's condition, setting priorities based on their immediate health needs, and developing a plan that includes measurable outcomes to monitor progress. This prioritization ensures that the care delivered is both effective and aligned with the client's overall health goals. Thus, the focus on planning and outcome highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in managing the care of clients in a home healthcare setting.