A nursing student is complaining about writing care plans. Which response by the faculty is best to help the student see the importance of this activity?

Question

a. "Using the nursing process will help nurses get reimbursement for their services."
b. "You need a written plan of care so everyone is on the same page as you are."
c. "The nursing process is a way to systematically think about and use patient data."
d. "Most state nurse practice acts require them, so you need to learn how to do them."

Answer 1

ANS: C

A
Demonstrating use of the nursing process may be important in obtaining reimbursement, but it is not the primary reason for using the nursing process (and writing care plans).
B
Having a detailed plan that other nurses can follow is important, but it is not the primary reason for using the nursing process (and writing care plans).
C
Writing care plans teaches students to use the nursing process, which is a systematic way of thinking about and processing patient data.
D
State nurse practice acts do require that nurses demonstrate the use of the nursing process, but this statement does not describe why the process itself is important.