Which of the following is part of the nursing process?

The nursing process is a systematic method used by nurses to provide patient care and consists of several key steps, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Assessment is a crucial first step that involves collecting comprehensive data about the patient's health status, which lays the foundation for all subsequent nursing actions and decisions. It allows nurses to identify patient needs, establish a baseline for comparison, and develop a plan of care tailored to the individual.

While documentation is an important part of nursing practice that involves recording patient information and care provided, it is not one of the formal steps of the nursing process itself but rather a supporting action that occurs throughout the process. Medication administration is a task that may be performed during the implementation phase of the nursing process, but it is not a step in itself. Similarly, patient transport is a logistical task that may be necessary in the course of care but does not pertain to the nursing process directly.

Thus, assessment stands out as the essential component directly associated with the nursing process, establishing the groundwork for effective nursing care.