Which statement correctly describes what a nursing care plan documents?

• A. To document patient goals, interventions, and expected outcomes to guide care
• B. To manage hospital budget
• C. To schedule staff rotations
• D. To document patient dietary preferences

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a nursing care plan records the patient’s goals, the nursing actions to achieve those goals, and the expected outcomes, so care is guided and coordinated over time. This plan pulls together what the patient aims for and how the care team will work to reach those aims, with clear steps and measurable results to evaluate progress. It ties directly into the nursing process—assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate—ensuring continuity of care across shifts and among team members. Choosing to document goals, actions, and outcomes helps clinicians communicate clearly about what needs to be done, why it’s needed, and how success will be judged. In contrast, hospital budget management, staff scheduling, or merely recording dietary preferences are not focusing of the nursing care plan as a tool to guide clinical care and measure progress toward health goals.