Nursing Care Plans — free examples + builder
Every plan follows the same five parts: assessment → nursing diagnosis → goals → interventions with rationale → evaluation. Browse a worked example, then build your own for any patient.
Worked examples (41)
Hypertension
Persistently elevated arterial blood pressure that increases the risk of stroke, heart…
Acute Pain
An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience of recent onset and expected short…
Pneumonia
Infection of the lung parenchyma causing impaired gas exchange, cough, and fever. Nursing…
Constipation
Infrequent or difficult passage of hard stool. Nursing care addresses bowel patterns,…
Risk for Infection
Vulnerability to invasion by pathogens due to compromised defenses (surgery, invasive…
Dehydration / Deficient Fluid Volume
Loss of body fluid exceeding intake, reducing circulating volume. Nursing care restores…
Heart Failure
Impaired cardiac pumping leading to fluid overload and reduced perfusion. Nursing care…
COPD
Chronic airflow limitation with impaired gas exchange. Nursing care supports oxygenation,…
Risk for Falls
Increased susceptibility to falling, risking injury. Nursing care is preventive and…
Anemia
Reduced red cell mass or hemoglobin causing decreased oxygen-carrying capacity. Nursing…
Depression
Persistent low mood and loss of interest affecting function and safety. Nursing care…
Diabetes Mellitus
Impaired glucose regulation with risk of hyper-/hypoglycemia and long-term complications.…
Cellulitis
Acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Nursing care targets…
Atrial Fibrillation
An irregular, often rapid atrial rhythm that reduces cardiac output and raises stroke…
Chronic Kidney Disease
A progressive, long-term loss of kidney function affecting fluid, electrolyte, and waste…
Pulmonary Embolism
A sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery, usually by a clot from the legs, that impairs…
Schizophrenia
A chronic mental health condition affecting thoughts, perception, and behavior, often…
Sepsis
A life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection.…
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Infection of the urinary tract causing dysuria and urgency; in older adults it can…
Stroke (CVA)
Sudden loss of brain function from disrupted blood flow. Nursing care protects the…
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
A blood clot in a deep vein, usually the leg, with risk of pulmonary embolism. Nursing…
Asthma
Chronic airway inflammation with reversible bronchospasm. Nursing care relieves acute…
Pressure Injury / Risk
Localized skin/tissue damage over a bony prominence from pressure. Nursing care is…
Hypoglycemia
Blood glucose below normal, which can rapidly become dangerous. Nursing care is rapid…
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Death of heart muscle from blocked coronary blood flow. Nursing care is time-critical:…
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
A rapid decline in kidney function causing fluid, electrolyte, and waste imbalances.…
GI Bleed
Bleeding anywhere in the GI tract, ranging from slow to life-threatening. Nursing care…
Fracture
A break in bone continuity. Nursing care manages pain, protects circulation, and prevents…
Anxiety
A vague, uneasy feeling of dread from a perceived threat, affecting comfort and coping.…
Nausea
An unpleasant sensation often preceding vomiting, with risk of dehydration and poor…
Chest Pain
Chest discomfort that may signal cardiac ischemia and must be treated as potentially…
Seizure
Abnormal, excessive brain electrical activity. Nursing care centers on safety during…
Dementia
Progressive decline in memory and cognition affecting safety and daily function. Nursing…
Hypertensive Crisis
Severely elevated blood pressure (often >180/120) risking acute organ damage. Nursing…
Post-Operative Care
Care after surgery to support recovery and catch complications early. Nursing care covers…
Impaired Physical Mobility
Limitation in independent, purposeful movement, raising the risk of many complications.…
Chronic Pain
Pain lasting beyond the expected healing period (often >3 months) that affects function…
Delirium
An acute, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, often reversible. Nursing…
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas causing severe pain and risk of systemic complications.…
Hyperkalemia
Elevated serum potassium that can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Nursing care is…
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix, a surgical emergency risking rupture. Nursing care manages…
All conditions
The 5-part framework
- AssessmentCollect subjective (what the patient reports) and objective (measurable) data — vitals, labs, exam findings.
- Nursing diagnosisState the problem, its related factor ("related to"), and the evidence ("as evidenced by").
- Goals / outcomesWrite SMART, patient-centered goals with a timeframe.
- InterventionsList nursing actions — each with a rationale explaining why it helps.
- EvaluationDefine how you'll know the goal was met, and reassess.