Final answer:
The noticing of a new area of skin breakdown by a nurse is an example of the assessment phase in the nursing process. It is the initial phase where data about the patient's health is collected, which then guides further steps like diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse noticing a new area of skin breakdown near the site of a dressing is an example of the assessment phase of the nursing process. During the assessment phase, the nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient’s health or the situation, like noticing changes in the skin condition. This phase involves a systematic and continuous collection of information to identify the patient’s baseline condition and detect potential or actual health problems.
Following the assessment, the next steps in the basic five-phase nursing process include diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. In the context of the given scenario, after the assessment of the new skin breakdown, the nurse would diagnose the issue, plan appropriate interventions, implement the plan of care, and then evaluate the effectiveness of that care.