Which statement best reflects the role of assessment in initiating prioritization?

• A. Assessment alone determines all interventions
• B. Diagnosis is deferred until later
• C. Assessment informs which issues require immediate intervention
• D. Planning comes before identification of issues

Answer: (C)

Focusing on how assessment guides prioritization, the key idea is that the information gathered—vital signs, symptoms, physical findings, and test results—lets you judge which problems are most urgent. By evaluating stability and risk, you can see which issues require immediate intervention and act on those first. Diagnosis and planning still matter, but you don’t wait for a formal diagnosis to address urgent needs—the data from assessment tells you what must be handled now. The other notions overstate assessment as the sole determinant of interventions, suggest postponing diagnosis, or place planning before identifying issues, all of which don’t fit how prioritization is actually structured.