Which questions would the nurse ask to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions?

Evaluation of nursing care with communities involves evaluation of programs of care for populations. Program evaluation includes evaluation of outcomes (program goals and outcome objectives), as well as evaluation of the structures and processes used to achieve the outcomes (Ervin, 2002). The ANA considers outcomes, structures, and processes as the primary categories of criteria to be used to measure the quality of nursing care. Outcomes are the end results; structures are the social and physical resources; and processes are the “sequence of events and activities” (ANA, 1986, p. 18) used by the nurse during the delivery of care. For example, evaluation of a health program designed to identify adults with high cholesterol levels would include the following:

Table 17-1 describes the following five categories of questions that can be answered by evaluation: (1) outcome attainment, also called effectiveness; (2) appropriateness of care; (3) adequacy of care in relation to the scope of the problem; (4) relationship of resources to results, also called efficiency; and (5) process. This set of questions includes the criteria of outcome, structure, and process evaluation and adds appropriateness and adequacy. Questions of appropriateness and adequacy evaluate the nursing care program in relation to the community health needs. Efficiency addresses the relationship of outcomes to structures and processes. Each of these sets of evaluation questions is discussed in more detail.

Table 17-1

Questions Answered by Evaluation





















































































Variable Questions Examples of Measurement

1. Outcome attainment

Did change occur? Numbers and rates of children immunized
To what degree was progress made toward the goal? Numbers of cases of cancer found on Papanicolaou smears
What are actual effects on clients? Changes in attitudes regarding people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
What unintended outcomes occurred? Reduction in teenage pregnancy rate

2. Appropriateness

Did the goals fit the need? Plan of care compared with clinical nursing knowledge
Are the goals and plans acceptable to the community? Community preferences
Are the plans likely to achieve the goals? Plan of care is evidence-based
Does the plan duplicate existing efforts?  

3. Adequacy

To what degree does the intervention meet the total amount of need? Rate of effectiveness multiplied by number of people exposed to service
Were some people not served? Outcomes relative to total needs in population
  Degree to which need was a priority

4. Efficiency

What resources were used? Relation of effort to outcome
Cost-effectiveness Can a better way be found to attain the same results? Output and input:
What resources were necessary to attain results? Money
  Time
  Personnel
  Client convenience
Benefit-cost analysis Do the benefits justify the use of resources?  

5. Process

What did nurses do? When? Where? Number of clinics/or encounters/week or month
How many people were reached? Number of home visits
What were the reasons for the successes or failures? Amount of money spent
What contributed to the results? Education content taught and strategies used
What methods were used? Numbers of people attending screening sessions


Which questions would the nurse ask to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions?

Data from Deniston, O., & Rosenstock, I. (1970). Evaluating health programs. Public Health Reports, 85(9), 835–840; Donabedian, A. (1980). The definition of quality and approaches to its assessment (Vol. 1). Ann Arbor, MI: Health Administration Press; Freeman, R. (1963). Public health nursing practice (3 rd ed.). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; and Suchman, E. (1967). Evaluative research: Principles and practice in public service and social action programs. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

How do you evaluate nursing interventions?

Steps in Evaluation.
Collecting Data. ... .
Comparing Data with Desired Outcomes. ... .
Analyzing Client's Response Relating to Nursing Activities. ... .
Identifying Factors Contributing to Success or Failure. ... .
Continuing, Modifying, or Terminating the Nursing Care Plan. ... .
Discharge Planning..

Which step of the nursing process considers the effectiveness of nursing care?

Evaluation phase The final phase of the nursing process is the evaluation phase. It takes place following the interventions to see if the goals have been met. During the evaluation phase, the nurse will determine how to measure the success of the goals and interventions.

Which step of the nursing process considers the effectiveness of nursing care quizlet?

Evaluation is the fifth step of the nursing process. The nurse determines if the patient's goals are met, examines the effectiveness of interventions, and decides whether the plan of care should be discontinued, continued, or revised.

What is evaluative measures in nursing?

Evaluative measures require the nurse to use assessment skills and techniques to determine the patient's response to nursing care. Examples of evaluative measures include assessment of wound healing and respiratory status, blood pressure measurement, and assessment of patient feelings.