What occurs during the assessment phase of the nursing process?

During the assessment phase of the nursing process, the primary focus is on collecting both subjective and objective data. Subjective data includes information provided by the patient regarding their feelings, perceptions, and experiences, which often relate to their health concerns and personal history. Objective data, on the other hand, consists of observable and measurable facts, such as vital signs, lab results, and physical examination findings, that the nurse gathers.

This phase is crucial as it establishes a comprehensive understanding of the patient's current health status, which guides the development of an effective plan of care. By combining subjective and objective data, nurses can form a holistic picture of the patient's needs, preferences, and any potential issues that may need to be addressed in subsequent phases of the nursing process.

The other choices pertain to different phases of the nursing process rather than the assessment phase. Carrying out the plan of care relates to the implementation phase, while setting up evaluation criteria and revising the plan are associated with the evaluation and planning phases, respectively. Each part of the nursing process is interrelated, but during the assessment phase, the collection of data is the key activity.