Nursing care plan for activities of daily living

Introduction to Nursing Care Plan for Activities of Daily Living

A nursing care plan is a written plan of action that includes interventions and suggestions for managing a patient’s health care. In this case, the care plan pertains to activities of daily living (ADLs) for persons with physical, psychological, and/or psychosocial impairments. The goal is to help individuals maintain their ability to perform tasks independently or with minimal assistance.

Assessment

Assessment of a patient’s ADLs will determine their current level of functioning as well as any need for nursing intervention. It is important to assess not only physical aspects but also cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental effects.

Explanation:

A detailed assessment should consider the patient’s current abilities, previous level of activity, preferences, and lifestyle in order to develop the best plan of care based on the individual’s needs.

Nursing Diagnosis

Nursing diagnosis is based on the assessment findings, which include diagnoses associated with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental functioning.

Explanation:

Nursing diagnosis can include but might not be limited to impaired physical mobility, acute pain, impaired social interaction, impaired verbal communication, inability to provide self-care, altered nutrition: less than body requirements.

Outcomes

Outcomes are derived from the nursing diagnosis to specify what the patient desired outcome should be.

Explanation:

These have a timeline that is usually within one to three months and may include goals such as improved pain management, enhanced communication, or improved self-care. These can be evaluated through goals that are measurable and achievable.

Interventions

Interventions involve strategies to achieve the desired outcomes, which include both pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches.

Explanation:

These can include educational sessions, hands-on training, family involvement, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and more. Interventions are tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Rationales

Rationales explain the rationale behind the choice of intervention(s) to help ensure the interventions are evidence-based.

Explanation:

It is important to research interventions to select those that are the most effective for a specific patient in supporting the desired outcomes. In addition, it is important to identify any contraindicationsthat may prevent the patient from being able to participate in certain interventions.

Evaluation

Evaluation includes observing, assessing, analyzing, and documenting the patient’s progress towards reaching their goals and desired outcomes.

Explanation:

Documentation should include progress made, obstacles encountered, changes in the plan of care, and other factors considered in revising the care plan. Documentation should also include measurable goals that are achievable.

Conclusion

A nursing care plan is an important tool in managing the care of persons with impairments related to activities of daily living. An effective plan should include assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcomes, interventions, rationales, and evaluation. With careful planning, the patient will get the optimal outcome based upon their individual needs.

FAQs

• What is a nursing care plan?
  A nursing care plan is a written plan of action that includes interventions and suggestions for managing a patient’s health care.
• What is included in the care plan?
  The care plan includes assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcomes, interventions, rationales, and evaluation.
• What does the assessment involve?
  The assessment involves looking at the patient's physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental functioning.
• What is the purpose of the interventions?
  The interventions are designed to help the patient achieve the desired outcomes. They can be pharmacological or non-pharmacological in nature.
• How is the effectiveness of the care plan evaluated?
  The effectiveness of the care plan is evaluated by observing, assessing, analyzing, and documenting the patient’s progress towards reaching their goals and desired outcomes.