The nursing process is a well-established, research-supported framework for professional nursing

practice. It is a flexible, adaptable, and adjustable five-step process consisting of assessment, nursing
diagnoses, planning (including establishment of goals and outcome criteria), implementation (including
patient education), and evaluation. As such, the nursing process ensures the delivery of thorough,
individualized, and quality nursing care to patients, regardless of age, gender, medical diagnosis, or
setting. Through use of the nursing process combined with knowledge and skills, the professional nurse
will be able to develop effective solutions to meet patient’s needs. The nursing process is usually
discussed in nursing courses and/or textbooks that deal with the fundamentals of nursing practice,
nursing theory, physical assessment, adult or pediatric nursing, and other nursing specialty areas.
However, because of the importance of the nursing process in the care of patients, the process in all of
its five phases is described in each chapter as it relates to specific drug groups or classifications. Critical
thinking is a major part of the nursing process and involves the use of the mind and thought processes
to gather information and then develop conclusions, make decisions, draw inferences, and reflect upon
all aspects of patient care. The elements of the nursing process address the physical, emotional,
spiritual, sexual, financial, cultural, and cognitive aspects of a patient. Attention to these many aspects
allows a more holistic approach to patient care. For example, a cardiologist may focus on cardiac
functioning and pathology, a physical therapist on movement, and a chaplain on the spiritual aspects of
patient care. However, it is the professional nurse who thinks critically about, processes, and
incorporates all of these aspects and points of information about the patient and then uses this
information to develop and coordinate patient care. Therefore, the nursing process remains a central
process and framework for nursing care. Box 1-1 provides guidelines for nursing care planning related to
drug therapy and the nursing process.