What is an essential nursing activity during the evaluation step of the nursing process?

Monitoring for adverse drug effects is an essential nursing activity during the evaluation step of the nursing process because this phase is focused on assessing the outcomes of the patient's care and determining the effectiveness of the interventions that have been implemented. By monitoring for adverse effects, nurses can evaluate whether the administered medications are achieving their intended results or causing harmful reactions, which directly impacts the patient's health status. This assessment provides critical feedback on both the patient's response to treatment and the appropriateness of the current care plan.

Additionally, the evaluation step serves to inform adjustments to the nursing care plan, thereby ensuring that the strategies in place are safe and effective for the patient. This ongoing assessment helps nurses make data-driven decisions about any necessary changes to improve the patient's health outcomes.