Category: Nursing Care Plans | Page 10

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Nursing Diagnoses, Care Plans, Assessment & Interventions

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a progressive form of acute respiratory failure characterized by dyspnea, decreased pulmonary compliance, and hypoxemia. ARDS often develops after another illness or injury, such as sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, pneumonia, aspiration, smoke inhalation, near drowning, and severe trauma or shock states. Pathophysiology When lung tissues are injured, the … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Abdominal Pain: Nursing Diagnoses, Care Plans, Assessment & Interventions

Abdominal pain is the discomfort felt anywhere between the chest and groin. Abdominal pain may be acute or chronic pain with varying degrees of severity and characteristics. Nursing Process Nurses conduct thorough histories and physical assessments to assist with the diagnosis of abdominal pain. This can include diet, medical and surgical histories, and detailed pain … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Nursing Diagnoses, Care Plans, Assessment & Interventions

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) or chronic renal failure (CRF) is characterized by a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function. Since the kidneys are highly adaptive organs, kidney disease is often not identified until there is a considerable loss of nephrons. Patients with early CKD are often asymptomatic, and symptoms may not be recognized until … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Edema: Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans

Edema is swelling caused by fluid build-up in the tissues. It can occur in any part of the body but is most noticeable in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Edema is a common finding and may go away on its own or may be a symptom of an underlying health condition, an allergic reaction, … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Diverticulitis: Nursing Diagnoses, Care Plans, Assessment & Interventions

Diverticular disease (diverticulosis and diverticulitis) is a group of conditions associated with diverticula (bulging pouches) in the colon. Diverticulosis is the presence of multiple pouches in the colon and is often asymptomatic. Diverticulitis is when these diverticula become inflamed or infected, causing symptoms. While diverticula may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, it is most … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Pulmonary Embolism: Nursing Diagnoses, Care Plans, Assessment & Interventions

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of one or more pulmonary arteries by a blood clot. Large emboli obstruct pulmonary blood flow, causing reduced oxygenation, reduced gas exchange, decreased perfusion, pulmonary tissue hypoxia, and even death. Most PEs occur due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities when a thrombus breaks off and … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Chest Pain (Angina): Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans

Chest pain or angina is the discomfort a person experiences when the heart does not get enough oxygen. Chest pain is not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying cause. The pain felt in angina can be described as squeezing, dull, sharp, crushing, or burning. Severe chest pain may be described as extreme … Read more

Written by

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Pregnancy: Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans

Pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg (ovum) develops into a fetus inside a woman’s uterus. When counting from the first day of the last regular menstrual cycle, pregnancy lasts roughly 40 weeks. The body goes through amazing changes to prepare for birth by that time. Stages of Pregnancy Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: Fetal … Read more

Written by

Kathleen Salvador, MSN, RN

Preeclampsia: Nursing Diagnoses, Care Plans, Assessment & Interventions

Preeclampsia is a serious complication that occurs during pregnancy, affecting 5-7% of pregnancies worldwide. It is characterized by new-onset high blood pressure (> 140/90 mmHg) and protein in the urine (proteinuria) after 20 weeks gestation. Research shows that preeclampsia may be caused by abnormalities in the development of the placenta, genetic or environmental factors, and … Read more

Written by

Kathleen Salvador, MSN, RN

Hypotension: Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans

Hypotension is low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure (BP) for most adults is 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure of less than 90/60 mmHg is considered hypotensive. Anything above 120/80 mmHg is considered elevated, and stage 1 hypertension is diagnosed at 130/80 mmHg. Hypotension is categorized according to the following: Poor cardiac output due to untreated hypotension … Read more

Written by

Kathleen Salvador, MSN, RN