Final answer:
The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) index is used for providing guidance in the selection of nursing interventions during the planning step of the nursing process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) index is used for the purpose of providing guidance for the selection of nursing interventions during the planning step of the nursing process.
It lists appropriate interventions for nursing diagnoses and helps nurses choose the most effective interventions based on the patient's condition and the specific nursing diagnosis.
Unlike the other options mentioned, the NIC index is not updated annually for accuracy and is not limited to the second step of the nursing process.