A formal care plan allows the nurse to

• A. Establish priorities; identify and write expected patient outcomes; select evidence-based nursing interventions; communicate the nursing plan of care
• B. Establish priorities
• C. Identify expected patient outcomes
• D. Communicate the nursing plan of care

Answer: (A)

A formal care plan brings together establishing priorities, identifying and writing expected patient outcomes, selecting evidence-based nursing interventions, and communicating the nursing plan of care. This comprehensive approach ensures that patient needs guide what is done first, that goals are specific and measurable, that actions are based on proven practices, and that everyone involved knows the plan and their responsibilities. Priorities help focus care on what must be addressed first; outcomes provide clear targets to judge progress; interventions ensure effective, research-based actions; and communication ties it all together so the plan is coordinated and followed. The other options cover only one aspect at a time, which would leave critical parts of planning incomplete and the care less cohesive.