a. Once the needs of the patient have been identified, several questions must be asked by the health care team in order to develop the nursing care plan. A plan of care is goal-oriented, with short-term and long-term goals identified. When you have identified the needs of the patient in the assessment phase, you also begin to determine what the results of fulfilling those needs should be. Do you expect results on a short- or long-term basis? How, specifically, will those goals be achieved? What action will be taken, and by whom? What shall be done first, second, last, and so on? The practical nurse supports the professional nursing staff in the planning of nursing care by:

(1) Assisting the professional nurses in determining the nursing care priorities and planning the nursing care to be provided.

(2) Working with other team members to develop a written plan of care.

(3) Participating in the development of long-term and/or preventive health plans with the patient and his family.

b. After the patient's needs have been identified and the plan of care has been developed, the process of implementation begins.