Which of the following steps is NOT part of the nursing process?

The nursing process is a systematic approach used by nurses to provide patient care, consisting of several key steps. These steps typically include assessment, diagnosis (or problem identification), planning (which incorporates goal setting), implementation, and evaluation.

Manual therapy, however, is a specific treatment method applied within certain therapeutic contexts, especially in physical therapy or rehabilitation, but it is not a step within the nursing process itself. Instead, it may be considered a technique or intervention used during the implementation phase to address specific patient needs.

Recognizing this distinction clarifies why manual therapy does not fit within the structured framework of the nursing process, which is centered around the comprehensive assessment, diagnosing health issues, setting achievable goals, and evaluating patient care outcomes. Understanding this helps solidify the foundational principles of nursing practice and the systematic approach it embodies.