Final answer:
The universal characteristic of the nursing process allows for the development of nursing care plans across various care settings and populations. It involves a systematic approach with steps such as assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation, showcasing its adaptability and importance in ensuring quality patient care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The universal characteristic of the nursing process is that nursing care plans can be developed for patients in any care setting, as well as for targeted populations and communities. The nursing process is a systematic method used by nurses to ensure the quality of patient care. This process is both an art and a science, involving the application of scientific principles and the nurse's clinical judgment.
The nursing process includes several steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each step must be completed thoroughly for the process to be effective. Assessment involves gathering information about the patient's condition. Diagnosis refers to analyzing that information to understand the problem. In planning, objectives and actions are determined. Implementation is the execution of the care plan, and evaluation determines if the health objectives have been met.
This adaptability across different settings and patient populations showcases the comprehensive approach in nursing care, which aims to meet individual patient needs. The nursing process can be tailored for each unique case, making it central to nursing practice and education.