evaluating /ival′yo̅o̅·ā″ting/ [L, ex, away, valare, to be strong] , 1. (in five-step nursing process) a category of nursing behavior in which the extent to which the established goals of care have been met is determined and recorded. To make this judgment, the nurse estimates the degree of success in meeting the goals, evaluates the implementation of nursing interventions, investigates the patient’s adherence to therapy, and records the patient’s response to therapy. The nurse evaluates effects of the interventions used, the need for change in goals of care, the accuracy of the implementation of nursing interventions, and the need for change in the patient’s environment or in the equipment or procedures used. The impact of the care or treatment on the patient, the patient’s family, and the staff is evaluated; the accuracy of tests and measurements is checked; and the patient’s and family’s understanding of the information given them is evaluated. The patient’s expressed and observed response to care is recorded. Although evaluation is considered the final step of the five-step nursing process, in practice it is integral to effective nursing practice at all steps of the process. See also analyzing, assessing, implementing, nursing process, planning. 2. (for health or related reasons) the assessment of clients to establish goals and intervention plans. All health care providers and practitioners evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to determine how best to help clients achieve their goals.
