Which step in the community nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective information about target populations?

• A. Assessment
• B. Planning
• C. Evaluation
• D. Implementation

Answer: (A)

Collecting a full picture of the population starts with gathering information about health status, needs, resources, and risks. The step that brings together subjective input (what people report—perceptions, concerns, experiences) and objective data (measurable facts such as statistics, demographics, environmental conditions) is assessment. This phase establishes a baseline, helps identify priorities and vulnerable groups, and informs what to address through interventions. In pediatrics, you might collect subjective input from families and community members about barriers to care, while objective data could include immunization rates, incidence of illnesses, housing quality, and school health statistics. Once this picture is built, you move into planning, then implementation, and finally evaluation.