Final answer:
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process where nurses collect detailed information about a resident's health status to guide individualized treatment under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assessment in the context of the nursing process refers to the systematic collection and analysis of patient data. This crucial step is indeed (b) the first step of the nursing process, where nurses collect comprehensive information about a resident's health status.
It includes reviewing the patient's history, current condition, and conducting physical examinations. Assessments guide nurses under the direct supervision of a registered nurse in providing tailored patient care, which may involve preparing and delivering treatments like dialysis while ensuring accurate and sterile procedures.
Assessment differs from (c) and (d) because it specifically pertains to data collection, while setting goals and planning care are subsequent steps within the nursing process.