The nurse asks a client if they have any allergies to medication. Which part of the nursing process is the nurse utilizing?

A. Assessment: Asking about medication allergies is part of the data-gathering phase of the nursing process. This step involves collecting subjective and objective information to identify factors that may affect pharmacologic safety, including hypersensitivity reactions or previous adverse responses that could contraindicate medication therapy. B. Implementation: Implementation refers to carrying out interventions such as administering medications or providing teaching. Since the nurse is gathering information rather than performing an intervention, this phase is not being used. C. Planning: Planning involves developing goals and selecting interventions based on assessment data. The nurse cannot begin planning until allergy information and other relevant data have already been collected, so this step does not apply. D. Diagnosis: Nursing diagnosis involves analyzing assessment data to identify client problems or risks. Asking about allergies occurs before this analytical step and therefore belongs to the assessment phase.