During which phase of the nursing process is the care plan executed?

The care plan is executed during the implementation phase of the nursing process. This phase involves putting the planned interventions into action to address the patient’s identified needs. During implementation, nurses carry out the specific activities outlined in the care plan, which can include administering medications, providing treatments, educating the patient, or coordinating care with other healthcare providers.

This phase is critical as it transforms the theoretical aspects of the assessment and planning phases into practical interventions that directly affect patient care. The success of the nursing process relies heavily on this execution, as it is the point at which the nursing actions and the patient's responses are observed. These interactions may also inform ongoing modifications to the care plan if the patient’s needs change or if certain interventions are not yielding the anticipated outcomes.