Crafting an optimal nursing care plan is fundamental to delivering high-quality patient care. This detailed guide provides a step-by-step approach to developing robust care plans, emphasizing the crucial role of NANDA nursing diagnoses. Whether you are a student nurse or a seasoned professional, this resource will enhance your understanding and application of care plans, ensuring you are well-equipped to meet your patients’ needs effectively.
Understanding the Nursing Care Plan
A nursing care plan (NCP) is a structured methodology used to pinpoint a patient’s current health needs, as well as anticipate potential risks. It serves as a vital communication tool among nurses, patients, and the broader healthcare team, facilitating coordinated efforts towards achieving specific health outcomes. The absence of a meticulous nursing care planning process can compromise the consistency and quality of patient care.
The process of nursing care planning is initiated upon a patient’s admission and is continuously refined based on the patient’s evolving condition and the assessment of goal progression. Delivering personalized, patient-centric care is the cornerstone of exceptional nursing practice.
Types of Nursing Care Plans: Formal vs. Informal and Standardized vs. Individualized
Nursing care plans are broadly categorized into informal and formal types. An informal nursing care plan is essentially a mental strategy employed by the nurse, while a formal nursing care plan is a documented, either written or digital, guide that organizes patient care information systematically.
Formal care plans are further divided into standardized and individualized approaches. Standardized care plans are designed to address common needs across patient groups, ensuring consistent care for routine conditions. Individualized care plans, on the other hand, are meticulously tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient, addressing aspects not covered by standardized plans.
Delving into Standardized Care Plans
Standardized care plans are pre-established protocols developed by healthcare agencies to guarantee uniform care for patients with similar conditions. These plans are essential for upholding minimum care standards and optimizing nurses’ efficiency by pre-defining common actions for frequently encountered patient needs.
It’s important to recognize that standardized care plans are not designed to meet the specific goals of individual patients but rather serve as a foundational framework from which to develop an individualized approach.
The care plans detailed in this guide are standardized, intended to serve as a blueprint for creating personalized care plans.
Crafting Individualized Care Plans
An individualized care plan involves adapting a standardized plan to align with a patient’s specific health objectives and needs, incorporating strategies known to be effective for that particular individual. This method ensures a more personalized and holistic approach, better suited to a patient’s unique circumstances, strengths, and goals.
Moreover, individualized care plans significantly enhance patient satisfaction. When patients perceive that their care is specifically designed for them, they feel more valued and understood, leading to greater contentment with their healthcare experience. This is especially critical in today’s healthcare landscape, where patient satisfaction is increasingly viewed as a key indicator of quality.
Key Considerations for Personalizing Nursing Care Plans:
- Incorporate patient preferences and values.
- Adjust interventions based on patient response and progress.
- Regularly update the plan to reflect changes in patient condition.
- Ensure cultural and spiritual needs are addressed.
Objectives of Nursing Care Plans
The primary goals of developing a nursing care plan include:
- Promoting evidence-based nursing practice to create a comfortable and familiar healthcare environment.
- Fostering holistic care that addresses the patient’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions in disease management and prevention.
- Establishing structured care programs like care pathways and bundles, which ensure team consensus on care standards and best practices for specific conditions.
- Clearly defining and differentiating between healthcare goals and expected patient outcomes.
- Enhancing communication and ensuring thorough documentation of the care plan.
- Providing a framework for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of nursing care interventions.
Purposes and Importance of Nursing Care Plans
Nursing care plans are crucial for several reasons:
- Defining the Nurse’s Role: Care plans delineate the nurse’s distinct and autonomous role in patient care, emphasizing their contribution to overall health and well-being beyond physician directives.
- Guiding Individualized Patient Care: They serve as a roadmap for patient care, enabling nurses to apply critical thinking to tailor interventions to each patient’s unique needs.
- Ensuring Continuity of Care: Care plans facilitate consistent, high-quality care across different nursing shifts and departments, maximizing treatment benefits for patients.
- Coordinating Healthcare Efforts: They ensure all members of the healthcare team are informed about the patient’s needs and the necessary actions, preventing gaps in care delivery.
- Documentation Imperative: Care plans accurately document essential observations, nursing actions, and patient/family instructions. Proper documentation in the care plan is crucial as it provides evidence of care provided.
- Facilitating Staff Assignment: They assist in assigning staff with specific skills to patients with complex care requirements.
- Monitoring Patient Progress: Care plans aid in tracking patient progress and adapting the care strategy as health status and goals evolve.
- Supporting Reimbursement Processes: Insurance providers rely on medical records, including care plans, to assess and determine coverage for hospital care.
- Clarifying Patient Goals: They engage both nurses and patients in the treatment process by clearly outlining patient-specific goals.
Key Components of a NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Care Plan
A comprehensive nursing care plan typically integrates several key components, notably nursing diagnoses derived from NANDA-I, patient problems, desired outcomes, nursing interventions, and rationales. Let’s explore these components in detail:
1. NANDA Nursing Diagnoses: The Foundation of the Care Plan
NANDA International (NANDA-I) provides a standardized language for nursing diagnoses, which are clinical judgments about individual, family, or community experiences/responses to actual or potential health problems/life processes. Using NANDA-I diagnoses ensures consistency and clarity in identifying and addressing patient needs.
Example of a NANDA Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Airway Clearance related to increased mucus production as evidenced by adventitious breath sounds and ineffective cough.
2. Patient Problems: Contextualizing the Diagnosis
While NANDA diagnoses provide a standardized framework, patient problems further contextualize these diagnoses within the patient’s specific situation. This involves understanding the etiology and contributing factors to the diagnosis.
Example Patient Problem: Patient experiencing difficulty breathing due to a chest cold and underlying asthma.
3. Desired Outcomes: Setting SMART Goals
Desired outcomes are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that define the expected changes in the patient’s health status as a result of nursing interventions.
Example Desired Outcome: Patient will maintain clear breath sounds and effective breathing pattern as evidenced by respiratory rate of 16-20 breaths per minute and absence of wheezing within 24 hours.
4. Nursing Interventions: Actionable Strategies
Nursing interventions are the specific actions nurses will perform to achieve the desired outcomes. These interventions should be evidence-based and tailored to the patient’s needs and preferences.
Example Nursing Interventions:
- Administer prescribed bronchodilator medication via nebulizer every 4 hours.
- Educate patient on effective coughing techniques and encourage coughing exercises every 2 hours.
- Monitor respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and breath sounds every 4 hours and PRN.
5. Rationales: The Scientific Basis for Interventions
Rationales provide the scientific justification for each nursing intervention, explaining why that particular action is expected to achieve the desired outcome.
Example Rationales:
- Bronchodilators help to relax the muscles around the airways, opening them up to make breathing easier.
- Effective coughing helps to mobilize and clear mucus from the airways, improving airway patency.
- Regular monitoring allows for timely assessment of respiratory status and effectiveness of interventions.
Care Plan Formats: 3-Column, 4-Column, and Student Plans
Nursing care plans are typically structured in formats that organize information into columns for clarity and ease of use. Common formats include three-column, four-column, and specialized formats for student nurses.
Three-Column Format
This format streamlines the care plan into three key sections: Nursing Diagnosis, Outcomes and Evaluation, and Interventions.
Example of a three-column nursing care plan format, showing nursing diagnosis, outcomes/evaluation, and interventions.
Four-Column Format
The four-column format expands on the three-column by separating Goals/Outcomes and Evaluation into distinct columns, providing a more detailed structure. The columns are: Nursing Diagnosis, Goals and Outcomes, Interventions, and Evaluation.
Example of a four-column nursing care plan template, illustrating nursing diagnosis, goals/outcomes, interventions, and evaluation sections.
Below is a document containing sample templates for the different nursing care plan formats. Feel free to edit, modify, and share the template.
Download: Printable Nursing Care Plan Templates and Formats
Student Care Plans: Emphasizing Rationale
Student care plans are designed to be more comprehensive and detailed as they serve as a learning tool. They often include an additional column for Rationales or Scientific Explanations following the nursing interventions. This format helps students connect the scientific principles to their chosen interventions. Student care plans are typically handwritten to reinforce the learning process.
Example of a student nursing care plan format, highlighting the detailed nature required for learning and the inclusion of rationales.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Care Plan
Creating an effective nursing care plan involves a systematic approach, integrating the nursing process and NANDA-I diagnoses. Here are the essential steps:
Step 1: Comprehensive Data Collection and Assessment
The initial step is to gather thorough patient data using various assessment techniques, including physical examinations, health history interviews, review of medical records, and diagnostic studies. This comprehensive client database is crucial for identifying related or risk factors and defining characteristics that will inform the nursing diagnosis. Using standardized assessment formats provided by healthcare agencies or nursing schools can ensure consistency and completeness.
Critical thinking is paramount in patient assessment. It involves integrating scientific knowledge and professional guidelines to effectively evaluate patient needs. This process is essential for making informed clinical decisions and ensuring effective healthcare planning.
Step 2: Analyzing and Organizing Patient Data
Once data is collected, the next step is to analyze, cluster, and organize this information to identify relevant patterns and formulate nursing diagnoses. This analysis leads to the prioritization of patient needs and the development of desired outcomes.
Step 3: Formulating NANDA Nursing Diagnoses
Formulating accurate NANDA nursing diagnoses is central to the care plan. These diagnoses provide a standardized way to identify and address specific patient needs and responses to health issues. Nursing diagnoses focus on actual or potential health problems that nurses can independently prevent or resolve.
For a detailed guide on formulating nursing diagnoses, refer to: Nursing Diagnosis (NDx): Complete Guide and List.
Step 4: Prioritizing Nursing Diagnoses
Prioritization involves ranking nursing diagnoses based on their urgency and impact on patient well-being. This step requires the nurse and patient to collaboratively decide which problems need immediate attention. Diagnoses are often categorized as high, medium, or low priority, with life-threatening issues taking precedence.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a useful framework for prioritizing nursing diagnoses. This hierarchy, developed by Abraham Maslow, ranks needs from basic physiological requirements to self-actualization. Physiological and safety needs are fundamental and must be addressed before higher-level needs can be met.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Nursing Care Planning:
- Basic Physiological Needs: These include essential needs like respiration, nutrition, hydration, elimination, sleep, and pain management. Addressing these is critical for patient stability.
- Safety and Security Needs: Focus on ensuring patient safety through measures like fall prevention, infection control, and creating a secure and trusting environment.
- Love and Belonging Needs: Address the patient’s social and emotional needs by fostering supportive relationships and preventing social isolation through therapeutic communication.
- Self-Esteem Needs: Support the patient’s sense of self-worth and independence by recognizing their achievements and promoting a sense of control.
- Self-Actualization Needs: Encourage personal growth and help patients reach their full potential by providing a supportive and empowering environment.
Virginia Henderson’s 14 Needs applied to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, demonstrating the alignment of fundamental patient needs with Maslow’s framework.
Patient values, beliefs, available resources, and the urgency of the health issue are all factors that influence prioritization. Patient involvement in this process is essential to foster cooperation and adherence to the care plan.
Step 5: Setting Client Goals and Desired Outcomes (SMART + REEPIG)
Following diagnosis prioritization, nurses and patients collaborate to set goals for each priority diagnosis. Goals, or desired outcomes, define what the nurse aims to achieve through nursing interventions. These goals guide intervention planning, serve as benchmarks for evaluating patient progress, and motivate both the patient and the care team by providing a sense of accomplishment.
Examples of well-formulated goals and desired outcomes in a nursing care plan, demonstrating specificity and measurability.
Goals should be SMART:
- Specific: Clearly defined and focused.
- Measurable: Quantifiable to track progress.
- Attainable: Realistic and achievable for the patient.
- Relevant: Aligned with patient needs and diagnosis.
- Time-bound: With a defined timeframe for achievement.
Additionally, consider the REEPIG standards for high-quality care plans:
- Realistic: Achievable with available resources.
- Explicitly stated: Clearly and unambiguously defined.
- Evidence-based: Supported by research and best practices.
- Prioritized: Addressing the most urgent needs first.
- Involve: Including patient and multidisciplinary team input.
- Goal-centered: Directly contributing to goal achievement.
Goals can be short-term (achievable within hours to days) or long-term (achievable over weeks to months). In acute care, short-term goals are often more relevant, while long-term goals are crucial for chronic conditions and discharge planning.
Desired outcome statements typically include four components: a subject (often implied as the patient), a verb (action the patient will perform), conditions/modifiers, and a criterion of desired performance (optional but enhances measurability).
Tips for Writing Effective Goals and Desired Outcomes:
- Focus on patient responses, not nurse activities. Start with “Patient will…”
- Describe what the patient will do, not what the nurse hopes to do.
- Use observable, measurable terms, avoiding vague language.
- Ensure outcomes are realistic given patient resources and timeframes.
- Align goals with other therapies and healthcare professionals’ plans.
- Each goal should derive from a single nursing diagnosis for clear evaluation.
- Ensure goals are important and valued by the patient to promote cooperation.
Step 6: Selecting Nursing Interventions
Nursing interventions are the specific actions nurses take to help patients achieve their goals. Interventions should directly address the etiology of the nursing diagnosis or reduce risk factors for potential problems. They are planned during the care planning phase but implemented during the implementation phase of the nursing process.
Types of Nursing Interventions: Independent, Dependent, and Collaborative
Chart outlining the types of nursing interventions: independent, dependent, and collaborative, with examples for each category.
- Independent Interventions: Actions nurses are licensed to initiate based on their professional judgment, such as patient education, emotional support, and physical care.
- Dependent Interventions: Actions carried out under physician orders, like medication administration, IV therapy, and specific treatments.
- Collaborative Interventions: Actions implemented in coordination with other healthcare team members, such as physical therapists, dietitians, and social workers.
Characteristics of Effective Nursing Interventions:
- Safe and appropriate for the patient’s age, health, and condition.
- Achievable with available resources and time.
- Consistent with patient values, culture, and beliefs.
- Aligned with other therapies.
- Based on nursing knowledge and evidence-based practices.
Tips for Writing Clear and Specific Nursing Interventions:
- Date and sign the care plan to ensure accountability and facilitate review.
- Interventions should be specific and start with an action verb, detailing what, how, when, and where the action should be performed.
- Use only accepted abbreviations within the institution.
Step 7: Providing Rationales for Interventions
Rationales are the scientific explanations that justify each nursing intervention. They explain the underlying principles that support the effectiveness of the chosen intervention. Rationales are especially valuable in student care plans to help learners understand the scientific basis of nursing actions.
Example of nursing interventions paired with their corresponding rationales, illustrating the scientific basis for each action in a care plan.
Step 8: Evaluation of the Care Plan
Evaluation is an ongoing process to assess the patient’s progress toward achieving desired outcomes and determine the effectiveness of the nursing care plan. This step is crucial for deciding whether to continue, modify, or terminate specific interventions. Evaluation is integral to the nursing process, ensuring care is dynamic and responsive to patient needs.
Step 9: Documenting the Care Plan
The final care plan is documented according to hospital policy and becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record. This documentation ensures continuity of care and provides a reference for all healthcare providers involved in the patient’s treatment. Care plan formats may vary, but most are designed to systematically follow the nursing process steps.
Comprehensive Nursing Care Plan List
This section provides an extensive list of sample nursing care plans (NCP) and NANDA nursing diagnoses categorized by medical specialty and health conditions. These resources are designed to assist nurses in developing care plans across various clinical scenarios.
Basic Nursing and General Care Plans
These general care plans cover a range of common nursing needs:
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 focused on 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 addressing cardiovascular health issues:
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 for 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 disorders of the gastrointestinal system:
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 hematologic 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 diseases:
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 conditions affecting the integumentary system:
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 maternal and newborn health:
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 nursing:
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 pediatric conditions and diseases:
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 function disorders:
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 system 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 for NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Care Plans
Enhance your knowledge and skills in nursing care planning with these recommended resources:
Disclosure: Affiliate links from Amazon are included below. We may earn a small commission from purchases, at no extra cost to you. For more details, please see our privacy policy.
Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care
Highly recommended for its evidence-based approach, this handbook offers a three-step system for client assessment, nursing diagnosis, and care planning. It provides step-by-step guidance on implementing care and evaluating outcomes, fostering diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention (10th Edition)
This comprehensive guide includes over two hundred care plans aligned with the latest evidence-based guidelines. This edition features ICNP diagnoses, care plans addressing LGBTQ health issues, and electrolytes and acid-base balance.
Cover image of “Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention (10th Edition)”
Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions, and Rationales
A quick and essential reference tool for identifying correct diagnoses and planning patient care efficiently. The 16th edition includes the most recent nursing diagnoses and interventions, with an alphabetized listing of diagnoses covering over 400 disorders.
Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care
This manual is invaluable for planning, individualizing, and documenting care for over 800 diseases and disorders. It provides sample clinical applications, prioritized interventions with rationales, and documentation sections for each diagnosis.
Cover image of “Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care”
All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource – E-Book: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health
This resource includes over 100 care plans across medical-surgical, maternity, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health settings. It focuses on interprofessional “patient problems,” enhancing communication skills.
References and Sources
- Hamilton, P., & Price, S. (2013). Nursing provision of healthcare. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.
- Hogston, R. (2011). Clinical skills. Oxford: Oxford University Press.