Diagnosis Nursing Care Plan: A Comprehensive Guide for Effective Patient Care

Crafting an optimal Diagnosis Nursing Care Plan is fundamental to providing high-quality patient care. This detailed guide offers a step-by-step approach to accurately develop each component of a care plan. Whether you are a student nurse or a seasoned professional, this resource provides a comprehensive database and list of nursing care plans (NCPs) and nursing diagnosis examples—all accessible for free! Explore care plan components, practical examples, objectives, and purposes, alongside an in-depth tutorial on creating effective nursing care plans or templates for use in your unit.

What is a Nursing Care Plan?
Types of Nursing Care Plans
- Standardized Care Plans
- Individualized Care Plans
Objectives of Nursing Care Plans
Purposes of a Nursing Care Plan
Components of a Nursing Care Plan
Care Plan Formats
Writing a Nursing Care Plan: Step-by-Step
Nursing Care Plan List
Recommended Resources
References and Sources

What is a Nursing Care Plan?

A nursing care plan (NCP) is a structured methodology that nurses use to identify patient needs and potential risks accurately. This formal process facilitates communication among nurses, patients, and other healthcare team members, aiming to achieve specific health outcomes. Without a robust care planning process, the consistency and quality of patient care can be significantly compromised.

The process of nursing care planning begins at the point of patient admission and is continuously revised based on the patient’s evolving condition and the assessment of goal achievement. Delivering personalized, patient-centered care through effective planning is the cornerstone of excellent nursing practice. This proactive approach ensures that every aspect of patient well-being is considered and addressed through a meticulously designed plan.

Types of Nursing Care Plans

Nursing care plans are broadly categorized into informal and formal types. An informal nursing care plan is essentially a mental strategy, an action plan conceived in the nurse’s mind. In contrast, a formal nursing care plan is a documented, either written or electronic, guide that systematically organizes all relevant patient care information.

Formal care plans are further divided into standardized and individualized plans. Standardized care plans are designed to address the common needs of patient groups with similar conditions. Individualized care plans, however, are specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of a particular patient, especially those needs not covered by standardized plans.

Standardized Care Plans

Standardized care plans are pre-established guidelines developed by nursing staff and healthcare organizations to ensure consistent care for patients with specific, recurring conditions. These plans are crucial for setting a baseline of acceptable care standards and optimizing nurses’ efficiency by eliminating the repetitive task of creating common care activities for numerous patients within a nursing unit.

It’s important to note that standardized care plans are not designed to address the specific goals and needs of each patient. Instead, they serve as an essential starting point from which to develop a more personalized individualized care plan.

The care plans presented in this guide are examples of standard care plans, intended to provide a foundational structure for developing individualized care plans.

Individualized Care Plans

An individualized care plan involves adapting a standardized care plan to align with the particular needs and objectives of an individual patient. This approach incorporates strategies known to be effective for the patient’s specific situation, thus enabling more personalized and holistic care. This tailored approach is better suited to address each patient’s unique strengths, needs, and healthcare goals.

Moreover, individualized care plans significantly enhance patient satisfaction. When patients perceive that their care is customized to their specific circumstances, they feel more valued and understood, leading to greater satisfaction with their overall healthcare experience. In today’s healthcare landscape, where patient satisfaction is increasingly utilized as a key metric for quality, the importance of individualized care plans cannot be overstated.

Tips on how to individualize a nursing care plan:

Detailed Assessment: Begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify unique patient needs.
Patient Involvement: Actively involve patients in the planning process to incorporate their preferences and goals.
Flexible Modification: Be prepared to adjust the plan based on the patient’s response and changing condition.
Holistic Perspective: Consider all aspects of the patient’s health—physical, psychological, social, and spiritual.
Evidence-Based Adjustments: Use current research and best practices to refine interventions for individual effectiveness.

Objectives

The creation of a nursing care plan is guided by several key objectives, all aimed at enhancing patient care and professional nursing practice:

Promote Evidence-Based Care: To deliver nursing care that is grounded in the best available research and clinical evidence, ensuring effective and reliable healthcare practices within hospitals and health centers.
Support Holistic Care: To manage and prevent disease while addressing the patient as a whole person, integrating physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health.
Establish Care Programs: To develop structured care pathways and care bundles that standardize care and improve outcomes. Care pathways ensure team consensus on care standards and expected outcomes, while care bundles focus on best practices for specific diseases.
Define Goals and Outcomes: To clearly identify and differentiate between broad goals and specific, measurable expected outcomes for patient care.
Enhance Communication and Documentation: To improve the clarity and effectiveness of care plan communication and documentation among healthcare providers.
Measure Nursing Care Effectiveness: To establish metrics for evaluating the impact and quality of nursing care delivered.

Purposes of a Nursing Care Plan

Nursing care plans serve several critical purposes, underscoring their importance in healthcare delivery:

Defines Nurse’s Role: Care plans clarify the distinct and autonomous role of nurses in addressing patients’ overall health and well-being, beyond simply following physician’s orders. They emphasize nurses’ independent judgment and skills in patient care.
Provides Direction for Individualized Care: A care plan acts as a roadmap for patient care, enabling nurses to apply critical thinking to tailor interventions specifically to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances.
Ensures Continuity of Care: By providing a documented plan, nurses across different shifts or departments can maintain consistent, high-quality interventions, ensuring patients receive continuous and optimal treatment benefits.
Coordinates Care: Care plans facilitate effective coordination among all members of the healthcare team, ensuring everyone is informed of the patient’s needs and the necessary actions to meet them, thereby preventing gaps in care.
Documentation: A well-written care plan accurately records observations, nursing actions, and patient/family instructions. Proper documentation is crucial; if care is not documented in the plan, there is no official record of it being provided.
Guides Staff Assignment: In situations where patient care requires specific skills, care plans help in assigning staff with the precise expertise needed for optimal patient outcomes.
Monitors Progress: Care plans enable the tracking of patient progress and allow for necessary adjustments to the care strategy as the patient’s condition and goals evolve. This dynamic approach ensures care remains effective and responsive.
Supports Reimbursement: Insurance companies rely on medical records, including care plans, to determine appropriate reimbursement for hospital care. Detailed and well-justified care plans support accurate billing and financial processes.
Defines Client’s Goals: Care plans involve patients in their treatment, fostering a collaborative approach that benefits both nurses and patients by aligning care with patient-centered goals and preferences.

Components

A standard nursing care plan (NCP) typically includes several key components, each essential for guiding patient care effectively:

Nursing Diagnoses: These are clinical judgments about individual, family, or community experiences/responses to actual or potential health problems/life processes. They provide the basis for selecting nursing interventions to achieve outcomes for which the nurse is accountable.
Client Problems: A broader description of patient health issues, which may include medical diagnoses as well as patient concerns and symptoms.
Expected Outcomes: These are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that define the desired changes in patient health status as a result of nursing care.
Nursing Interventions: These are actions that nurses will perform to achieve patient goals. Interventions should be evidence-based, safe, and individualized to the patient’s needs.
Rationales: Scientific reasons or evidence that justify why specific nursing interventions are chosen. Rationales are particularly important in student care plans to enhance learning and understanding of care principles.

Care Plan Formats

Nursing care plans are often organized into structured formats to enhance clarity and efficiency. Common formats include three-column and four-column plans, and variations designed for student use.

Three-Column Format

The three-column format is a streamlined approach that includes:

Nursing Diagnosis: Clearly stated health issue identified for the patient.
Outcomes and Evaluation: Desired patient outcomes and space for evaluating whether these outcomes were met.
Interventions: Specific nursing actions planned to address the diagnosis and achieve the outcomes.

! [3-column nursing care plan format](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/3-Column-Nursing-Care-Plan-Format-copyNCP-2021.png)
Alt text: Example of a three-column nursing care plan format, showing columns for nursing diagnosis, outcomes and evaluation, and nursing interventions.

Four-Column Format

The four-column format provides a more detailed structure:

Nursing Diagnosis: As in the three-column format, this column states the patient’s health issue.
Goals and Outcomes: This column details both broad goals and specific, measurable outcomes expected from the care plan.
Interventions: Nursing actions to be implemented.
Evaluation: Assessment of goal achievement and plan effectiveness.

! [4-Column Nursing Care Plan Format](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/4-Column-Nursing-Care-Plan-Format-2021.png)
Alt text: Illustration of a four-column nursing care plan format, with columns for nursing diagnosis, goals and outcomes, nursing interventions, and evaluation.

For practical use, sample templates for various nursing care plan formats are available for download. These can be edited and shared to suit different clinical settings.

Download: Printable Nursing Care Plan Templates and Formats

Student Care Plans

Student care plans are designed to be more comprehensive and detailed than those used by practicing nurses. They serve as a crucial learning tool, helping student nurses develop critical thinking and care planning skills.

! [Student nursing care plans are more detailed.](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Student-Nursing-Care-Plan-Format-copy.jpg)
Alt text: Image depicting a student nursing care plan format, emphasizing the detailed nature required for educational purposes.

Typically, student care plans are handwritten and include an additional column for “Rationale” or “Scientific Explanation” following the interventions column. This rationale column requires students to explain the scientific principles behind each chosen intervention, reinforcing their understanding of the underlying reasons for care decisions.

Writing a Nursing Care Plan: Step-by-Step

Developing an effective nursing care plan involves a systematic approach. Follow these steps to create a comprehensive care plan for your patients:

Step 1: Data Collection or Assessment

The initial step in crafting a nursing care plan is to compile a thorough patient database. This involves utilizing various assessment techniques and data collection methods, including physical examinations, health history interviews, reviews of medical records, and diagnostic studies. A complete patient database encompasses all relevant health information gathered. During this phase, nurses identify related or risk factors and defining characteristics that will be used to formulate nursing diagnoses. Specific healthcare facilities or nursing schools may provide standardized assessment formats to guide this process.

Critical thinking is paramount in patient assessment. It involves integrating knowledge from various scientific disciplines and professional guidelines to inform clinical judgments. This process is essential for complex clinical decision-making and aims to effectively identify patients’ healthcare needs within a supportive environment and with access to reliable information.

Step 2: Data Analysis and Organization

Once patient health information is collected, the next step is to analyze, cluster, and organize this data. This analysis is crucial for formulating accurate nursing diagnoses, setting priorities, and determining desired patient outcomes. Organizing data into meaningful clusters helps in identifying patterns and relationships, which are essential for effective care planning.

Step 3: Formulating Your Nursing Diagnoses

Nursing diagnoses are standardized, clear statements that identify specific patient needs and responses to health conditions or life events. They address actual or potential health problems that nurses can independently treat or prevent. Nursing diagnoses are distinct from medical diagnoses; they focus on patient responses to illness rather than the disease process itself.

For detailed guidance on formulating nursing diagnoses, refer to comprehensive resources such as “Nursing Diagnosis (NDx): Complete Guide and List.” This guide provides extensive information and examples to aid in accurate diagnosis formulation.

Step 4: Setting Priorities

Priority setting involves ranking nursing diagnoses and interventions in order of importance. In this step, nurses collaborate with patients to decide which identified problems require immediate attention. Diagnoses are typically categorized as high, medium, or low priority. Life-threatening conditions or issues that pose immediate risks to patient well-being are designated as high priority.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a fundamental framework used in nursing to prioritize care. Developed by Abraham Maslow in 1943, this hierarchy ranks human needs from basic physiological needs to self-actualization. According to Maslow, basic physiological needs must be met before higher-level needs can be addressed. Physiological and safety needs form the foundation of nursing care, influencing the prioritization of interventions.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

Basic Physiological Needs: These are the most fundamental needs, including nutrition (food and water), elimination, airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs), sleep, sex, shelter, and exercise. Ensuring these needs are met is crucial for patient survival and stability.
Safety and Security: Once physiological needs are addressed, safety and security become priorities. This includes injury prevention (using side rails, call lights, hand hygiene, isolation protocols, suicide precautions, fall precautions, car seats, helmets, seat belts), fostering trust and safety through therapeutic relationships, and patient education on modifiable risk factors for conditions like stroke and heart disease.
Love and Belonging: Addressing social and emotional needs is the next step. This involves fostering supportive relationships, preventing social isolation, employing active listening and therapeutic communication, and supporting healthy sexual intimacy.
Self-Esteem: Once patients feel a sense of belonging, focusing on self-esteem becomes important. This includes promoting acceptance within the community and workplace, recognizing personal achievements, fostering a sense of control and empowerment, and encouraging acceptance of one’s physical appearance.
Self-Actualization: The highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy involves empowering patients to achieve their maximum potential. This includes providing a supportive environment for spiritual growth and developing the ability to understand and respect diverse viewpoints.

! [Virginia Henderson’s 14 Needs as applied to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hendersons-14-Needs-as-Applied-to-Maslows-Heirarchy-of-Needs.jpg)
Alt text: Diagram illustrating Virginia Henderson’s 14 Needs integrated with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, showcasing the relationship between basic human needs and nursing care priorities.

Patient values, beliefs, available resources, and the urgency of the health issue are critical factors nurses must consider when setting priorities. Involving patients in this process enhances their cooperation and commitment to the care plan.

Step 5: Establishing Client Goals and Desired Outcomes

Following priority setting, nurses and patients collaborate to establish goals for each nursing diagnosis. Goals, or desired outcomes, describe the intended results of nursing interventions, reflecting what the nurse aims to achieve based on the patient’s nursing diagnoses. Goals provide direction for planning interventions, serve as benchmarks for evaluating patient progress, and help both the patient and nurse assess problem resolution, fostering a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

! [Desired Goals and Outcomes](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Desired-Goals-and-OutcomesNCP-2021.png)
Alt text: Examples of well-written goals and desired outcomes in a nursing care plan, demonstrating specific and measurable criteria.

For each nursing diagnosis, an overarching goal is defined. The terms “goal outcomes” and “expected outcomes” are often used interchangeably.

Effective goals should adhere to the SMART criteria, as outlined by Hamilton and Price (2013):

Specific: Goals must be clear, precise, and focused to ensure everyone understands what needs to be achieved.
Measurable: Goals should include criteria that allow progress to be tracked and success to be objectively determined.
Attainable: Goals should be realistic and achievable given the patient’s current condition and available resources.
Realistic: Goals should be relevant to the patient’s needs and circumstances, ensuring they are practical and meaningful.
Time-Oriented: Each goal should have a defined timeframe for achievement, providing a sense of urgency and a clear endpoint.

Hogston (2011) proposes the REEPIG standards to ensure high-quality care plans:

Realistic: Goals must be achievable with the resources available.
Explicitly stated: Goals should be clearly and unambiguously written to avoid misinterpretation.
Evidence-based: Interventions and goals should be supported by research and best practices.
Prioritized: The care plan should address the most urgent problems first.
Involve: Planning should include both the patient and all relevant members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Goal-centered: All planned care should directly contribute to achieving the established goals.

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

Goals and expected outcomes must be measurable and patient-centered. They are formulated to focus on problem prevention, resolution, and rehabilitation. Goals can be categorized as short-term or long-term. In acute care settings, most goals are short-term, addressing immediate patient needs. Long-term goals are more common for patients with chronic conditions or those in long-term care facilities.

Short-term goal: Describes an achievable change in patient behavior or status expected within a short period, typically hours to days.
Long-term goal: Represents a more significant objective to be achieved over a longer duration, such as weeks or months.
Discharge planning: Involves setting long-term goals to facilitate continued recovery and problem resolution at home or in other care settings, utilizing resources like home health services and physical therapy.

Components of Goals and Desired Outcomes

Outcome statements typically include four essential components:

Subject: Usually the patient, or a specific aspect of the patient (e.g., pulse rate, temperature). Often implied to be the patient unless otherwise specified.
Verb: Describes the action the patient is expected to perform (e.g., demonstrate, verbalize, maintain).
Conditions or Modifiers: Clarify the circumstances under which the behavior is expected to occur (e.g., after education, using assistive devices).
Criterion of Desired Performance: Specifies the standard for evaluating performance. This is often optional but adds clarity (e.g., “within normal limits,” “independently”).

When formulating goals and desired outcomes, consider these tips:

Frame goals in terms of patient responses, not nursing activities. Start each goal with “Client will […]” to focus on patient behavior.
Focus on what the patient will achieve, not what the nurse hopes to accomplish.
Use observable and measurable terms for outcomes, avoiding vague language.
Ensure outcomes are realistic given the patient’s resources, abilities, and the timeframe of care.
Verify that goals are consistent with other healthcare professionals’ therapies.
Ensure each goal corresponds to only one nursing diagnosis to facilitate clear evaluation.
Confirm that the patient values and considers the goals important to encourage cooperation.

Step 6: Selecting Nursing Interventions

Nursing interventions are the specific actions nurses perform to help patients achieve their goals. Interventions should aim to address the root cause (etiology) of the nursing diagnosis. For risk diagnoses, interventions should focus on reducing risk factors. Nursing interventions are identified and detailed during the planning phase of the nursing process but are implemented during the implementation phase.

Types of Nursing Interventions

Nursing interventions can be categorized as independent, dependent, or collaborative:

! [Types of Nursing Interventions](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Types-of-Nursing-InterventionsNCP-2021.png)
Alt text: Diagram illustrating the types of nursing interventions: independent, dependent, and collaborative, each defined with examples.

Independent Nursing Interventions: Actions nurses are licensed to initiate based on their professional judgment and skills. These include ongoing assessments, emotional support, comfort measures, patient education, physical care, and referrals to other healthcare providers.
Dependent Nursing Interventions: Actions carried out under a physician’s orders or supervision. These include administering medications, IV therapy, diagnostic tests, treatments, and managing diet and activity orders. Nurses also assess patients and provide explanations related to these orders.
Collaborative Interventions: Actions nurses undertake in cooperation with other healthcare team members such as physicians, social workers, dietitians, and therapists. These interventions are developed through interdisciplinary consultation to leverage diverse professional expertise.

Effective nursing interventions should be:

Safe and appropriate for the patient’s age, health condition, and overall status.
Achievable given available resources and time constraints.
Consistent with the patient’s values, cultural background, and beliefs.
Aligned with other therapies the patient is receiving.
Based on established nursing knowledge, clinical experience, and relevant scientific evidence.

When documenting nursing interventions, follow these guidelines:

Date and sign the care plan to ensure accountability and provide a reference for future reviews and planning.
Interventions should be specific, clear, and start with an action verb that indicates what the nurse will do. Include qualifiers such as how, when, where, and how often to provide detailed instructions. For example: “Educate patient on medication side effects before discharge” or “Assess wound appearance daily.”
Use only institution-approved abbreviations to maintain clarity and avoid errors in communication.

Step 7: Providing Rationale

Rationales, or scientific explanations, justify the selection of each nursing intervention within the care plan. They explain the scientific basis for why a particular intervention is expected to be effective.

! [Nursing Interventions and Rationale](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Nursing-Interventions-and-Rationale.png)
Alt text: Example of nursing interventions paired with rationales in a care plan, demonstrating the link between actions and their scientific justification.

While rationales are not typically included in standard care plans used by practicing nurses, they are essential in student care plans. They help nursing students connect pathophysiological and psychological principles to the nursing interventions they choose, enhancing their understanding and clinical reasoning.

Step 8: Evaluation

Evaluation is a critical, ongoing process to assess the patient’s progress toward achieving the set goals and to determine the effectiveness of the nursing care plan. It is an integral part of the nursing process, as the findings from the evaluation dictate whether interventions should be continued, modified, or discontinued. Evaluation involves measuring patient outcomes against the expected outcomes defined in the care plan.

Step 9: Documentation

The completed patient care plan is documented according to hospital policies and becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record. This documentation is vital for communication among healthcare providers, especially during shift changes. Different nursing programs and healthcare facilities may use varying care plan formats, but most are structured to systematically follow the steps of the nursing process. A common format is the five-column care plan, which includes assessment cues, nursing diagnoses, goals, interventions, and evaluation.

Nursing Care Plan List

This section provides an extensive list of sample nursing care plans (NCPs) and nursing diagnoses for a wide range of diseases and health conditions, categorized for easy navigation.

Basic Nursing and General Care Plans

General nursing care plans applicable across various settings:

Basic Nursing & General Care Plans
Acute Confusion (Delirium) and Altered Mental Status
Acute Pain and Pain Management
Activity Intolerance and Generalized Weakness
Cancer (Oncology Nursing)
Caregiver Role Strain and Family Caregiver Support Systems
Chronic Confusion (Dementia)
End-of-Life Care (Hospice Care or Palliative)
Fall Risk and Fall Prevention
Fatigue and Lethargy
Geriatric Nursing (Older Adult)
Grieving and Loss
Hypothermia and Cold Injuries
Hyperthermia (Fever)
Impaired Swallowing (Dysphagia)
Insomnia and Sleep Deprivation
Prolonged Bed Rest
Risk for Injury and Patient Safety
Self-Care and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Surgery (Perioperative Client)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Total Parenteral Nutrition

Surgery and Perioperative Care Plans

Care plans tailored for surgical interventions and perioperative care:

Surgery and Perioperative Care Plans
Amputation
Appendectomy
Cholecystectomy
Fracture UPDATED!
Hemorrhoids
Hysterectomy
Ileostomy & Colostomy
Laminectomy (Disc Surgery)
Mastectomy
Subtotal Gastrectomy
Surgery (Perioperative Client)
Thyroidectomy
Total Joint (Knee, Hip) Replacement

Cardiac Care Plans

Nursing care plans focused on cardiovascular health:

Cardiac Care Plans
Angina Pectoris (Coronary Artery Disease)
Cardiac Arrhythmia (Digitalis Toxicity)
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiogenic Shock
Congenital Heart Disease
Decreased Cardiac Output & Cardiac Support
Heart Failure UPDATED!
Hypertension UPDATED!
Hypovolemic Shock
Impaired Tissue Perfusion & Ischemia
Myocardial Infarction
Pacemaker Therapy

Endocrine and Metabolic Care Plans

Care plans addressing endocrine and metabolic disorders:

Endocrine and Metabolic Care Plans
Addison’s Disease
Cushing’s Disease
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1, Type 2) UPDATED!
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)
Eating Disorders: Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa
Fluid Volume Deficit (Dehydration & Hypovolemia)
Fluid Volume Excess (Hypervolemia)
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Imbalanced Nutrition (Malnutrition)
Obesity & Overweight
Thyroidectomy
Unstable Blood Glucose Levels (Hyperglycemia & Hypoglycemia)

Acid-Base Imbalances
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
Respiratory Acidosis
Respiratory Alkalosis

Electrolyte Imbalances
Calcium (Ca) Imbalances: Hypercalcemia and Hypocalcemia
Magnesium (Mg) Imbalances: Hypermagnesemia and Hypomagnesemia
Potassium (K) Imbalances: Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia
Sodium (Na) Imbalances: Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia

Gastrointestinal Care Plans

Care plans for digestive system disorders:

Gastrointestinal Care Plans
Appendectomy
Bowel Incontinence (Fecal Incontinence)
Cholecystectomy
Constipation
Diarrhea Nursing Care Plan and Management
Cholecystitis and Cholelithiasis
Gastroenteritis
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Ileostomy & Colostomy
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Intussusception
Liver Cirrhosis
Nausea & Vomiting
Pancreatitis
Peritonitis
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Subtotal Gastrectomy
Umbilical and Inguinal Hernia

Hematologic and Lymphatic Care Plans

Care plans for blood and lymphatic system disorders:

Hematologic & Lymphatic Care Plans
Anaphylactic Shock
Anemia UPDATED!
Aortic Aneurysm
Bleeding Risk & Hemophilia
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Hemophilia
Kawasaki Disease
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Sepsis and Septicemia
Sickle Cell Anemia Crisis

Infectious Diseases Care Plans

Care plans for communicable and infectious conditions:

Infectious Diseases Care Plans
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (HIV Positive)
Acute Rheumatic Fever
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Influenza (Flu)
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Risk for Infection & Infection Control

Integumentary Care Plans

Care plans for skin and tissue disorders:

Integumentary Care Plans
Burn Injury
Dermatitis
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Pressure Ulcer (Bedsores)
Wound Care and Skin/Tissue Integrity

Maternal and Newborn Care Plans

Care plans for pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care:

Maternal and Newborn Care Plans
Abortion (Termination of Pregnancy)
Cervical Insufficiency (Premature Dilation of the Cervix)
Cesarean Birth
Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)
Labor Stages, Induced, Augmented, Dysfunctional, Precipitous Labor
Neonatal Sepsis
Perinatal Loss (Miscarriage, Stillbirth)
Placental Abruption
Placenta Previa
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum Thrombophlebitis
Prenatal Hemorrhage
Preeclampsia and Gestational Hypertension
Prenatal Infection
Preterm Labor
Puerperal & Postpartum Infections
Substance (Alcohol and Drug) Abuse in Pregnancy

Mental Health and Psychiatric Care Plans

Care plans for mental health and psychiatric conditions:

Mental Health and Psychiatric Care Plans
Alcohol Withdrawal
Anxiety & Fear
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Bipolar Disorders
Body Image Disturbance & Self-Esteem
Impaired Thought Processes & Cognitive Impairment
Major Depression
Personality Disorders
Schizophrenia
Sexual Assault
Substance Dependence and Abuse
Suicide Behaviors

Musculoskeletal Care Plans

Care plans for musculoskeletal system disorders:

Musculoskeletal Care Plans
Amputation
Congenital Hip Dysplasia
Fracture UPDATED!
Impaired Physical Mobility & Immobility
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Laminectomy (Disc Surgery)
Osteoarthritis
Osteogenic Sarcoma (Osteosarcoma)
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scoliosis
Spinal Cord Injury
Total Joint (Knee, Hip) Replacement

Neurological Care Plans

Care plans for nervous system disorders:

Neurological Care Plans
Alzheimer’s Disease UPDATED!
Brain Tumor
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) UPDATED!
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Meningitis
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Seizure Disorder
Spinal Cord Injury

Ophthalmic Care Plans

Care plans for eye disorders:

Ophthalmic Care Plans
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration

Pediatric Nursing Care Plans

Care plans for children’s health conditions:

Pediatric Nursing Care Plans
Child Abuse
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Dying Child
Febrile Seizure
Hospitalized Child
Hydrocephalus
Otitis Media
Spina Bifida
Tonsillitis and Adenoiditis

Reproductive Care Plans

Care plans for reproductive and sexual health issues:

Reproductive Care Plans
Cryptorchidism (Undescended Testes)
Hysterectomy
Hypospadias and Epispadias
Mastectomy
Menopause
Prostatectomy

Respiratory Care Plans

Care plans for respiratory system disorders:

Respiratory Care Plans
Airway Clearance Therapy & Coughing
Apnea
Asthma UPDATED!
Aspiration Risk & Aspiration Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis UPDATED!
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) UPDATED!
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) UPDATED!
Croup Syndrome
Cystic Fibrosis UPDATED!
Epiglottitis
Hemothorax and Pneumothorax UPDATED!
Ineffective Breathing Pattern (Dyspnea)
Impairment of Gas Exchange
Influenza (Flu) UPDATED!
Lung Cancer UPDATED!
Mechanical Ventilation
Near-Drowning
Pleural Effusion
Pneumonia
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Tracheostomy

Urinary Care Plans

Care plans for kidney and urinary tract disorders:

Urinary Care Plans
Acute Glomerulonephritis
Acute Renal Failure
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Chronic Renal Failure
Hemodialysis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Peritoneal Dialysis
Urolithiasis (Renal Calculi)
Urinary Elimination (Urinary Incontinence & Urinary Retention)
Urinary Tract Infection
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma)

Recommended Resources

Enhance your understanding and skills in nursing care planning with these recommended resources:

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Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care
This handbook is valued for its evidence-based approach to nursing interventions. It simplifies care planning with a three-step system covering assessment, diagnosis, and planning. It includes detailed instructions for implementation and outcome evaluation, enhancing diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills.

! [Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ackley-and-Ladwig-Nursing-Diagnosis-Handbook-An-Evidence-Based-Guide-to-Planning-Care.jpg)
Alt text: Cover image of Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, highlighting its evidence-based approach to care planning.

Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention (10th Edition)
Features over 200 care plans reflecting current evidence-based guidelines, with new additions including ICNP diagnoses, LGBTQ health care plans, and electrolyte and acid-base balance management.

! [Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention (10th Edition)](https://nurseslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Nursing-Care-Plans-E-Book-Nursing-Diagnosis-and-Intervention.jpg)
Alt text: Book cover of “Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention” 10th Edition, emphasizing its comprehensive coverage of nursing diagnoses and interventions.

Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions, and Rationales
A quick, essential reference for identifying correct diagnoses and planning efficient patient care. The 16th edition includes the latest nursing diagnoses and interventions, with over 400 disorders listed alphabetically.

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Alt text: Image of the Nurse’s Pocket Guide cover, emphasizing its role as a quick reference for diagnoses, interventions, and rationales.

Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care
Helps in planning, individualizing, and documenting care for over 800 conditions. It uniquely provides subjective and objective data for each diagnosis, sample applications, prioritized interventions with rationales, and documentation guidelines.

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Alt text: Cover of the Nursing Diagnosis Manual, highlighting its focus on planning, individualizing, and documenting patient care effectively.

All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource – E-Book: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health
Offers over 100 care plans across medical-surgical, maternity, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health settings. It uses “patient problem” focus to familiarize users with patient communication.

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Alt text: Cover image of the All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource E-Book, showing its broad coverage of various nursing specialties.

Table of Contents