Which step is considered part of the assessment process?

• A. Collect the data
• B. Organize the data
• C. Validate the data
• D. Document the data

Answer: (A)

Collecting data is the essential starting point of the assessment. It involves gathering both subjective information (what the patient or family reports) and objective information (observable signs, measurements, test results, and chart review). This data creates the baseline and helps you notice changes in the patient’s condition, guiding all subsequent steps in the nursing process. While organizing, validating, and documenting data are important tasks that support the assessment, they rely on the information you have collected. Without data collection, there is no basis for interpreting status, identifying needs, or planning care.