8.7 : Nursing Evaluation

The evaluation stage signals the end of the nursing process. The nurse gathers evaluative data to assess whether or not the patient has attained the expected results. Whereas the nurse collects data in the nursing assessment to identify the patient's health concerns, the evaluation stage data determines if the indicated health issues are resolved. Evaluative data collection includes two sections: the data acquired to evaluate patient outcomes and the time criteria for data collection.

Section one includes evaluating cognitive, psychomotor, affective, and physiological outcomes.

• The cognitive outcomes are related to the knowledge of the patient regarding the disease, care, and treatment. These can be evaluated by asking the patient about the required information. There are several ways to measure these outcomes, such as by asking patients to repeat material (teach-back method) or applying the new knowledge in their daily lives.
• Psychomotor outcomes refer to a patient's acquisition of new abilities and are assessed by asking the patient to show their knowledge of the new skill.
• An affective outcome is more challenging to measure since it concerns patients' values, beliefs, and attitudes. These outcomes are assessed by observing how patients behave and communicate.
• Physiologic results indicate physical changes in the patient. The nurse utilizes physical assessment skills to gather relevant data and compares it with previous patient data.

The second section evaluates the effectiveness of the nursing interventions by comparing the expected results to the outcomes within the timeline suggested. If outcomes are not reached or are partly met within the time criteria, the treatment plan should be modified, and the entire process repeats.