Which of the following is NOT one of the five steps of the nursing process?

The nursing process is a systematic method used by nurses to deliver patient care effectively. It consists of five key steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each of these steps plays a crucial role in ensuring that patient care is thorough and individualized.

Medication administration, while an important aspect of patient care, is not classified as one of the five steps of the nursing process. Instead, it typically falls under the implementation phase. During this phase, nurses carry out the interventions that were planned, which may include administering medications. However, medication administration itself is a specific action rather than a core component of the nursing process.

Understanding the five steps is essential for LPNs, as this framework guides their decision-making and interventions in patient care. Recognizing that certain actions, such as medication administration, support the implementation phase helps clarify the nursing process's structure and promotes effective practice.