Nursing Care Plan for Appendicitis
Also searched as: inflamed appendix
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
Inflammation of the appendix, a surgical emergency risking rupture. Nursing care manages pain and prepares for surgery while watching for perforation.
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Assessment
- Subjective: periumbilical pain migrating to the right lower quadrant (McBurney's point), nausea
- Objective: RLQ tenderness, rebound, low-grade fever, elevated WBC
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: RLQ pain, rebound tenderness, elevated WBC
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will have pain managed and proceed safely to treatment without complications of rupture.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assess pain and monitor for signs of rupture (sudden relief then worsening, rigid abdomen, high fever). | Rupture causes peritonitis — a life-threatening emergency. |
| Keep NPO and prepare for appendectomy; give IV fluids/antibiotics as ordered. | Prepares for surgery and controls infection. |
| Manage pain; avoid heat to the abdomen and unprescribed laxatives. | Heat and laxatives can promote rupture. |
| Provide post-op care and education if surgery is done. | Supports recovery. |
Evaluation
- Pain managed
- No rupture/peritonitis
- Safe surgical course
Stop rewriting care plans by hand
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Build a care plan free See Student plan — $6.99/monthAppendicitis care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for Appendicitis?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Acute pain related to appendiceal inflammation. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for Appendicitis?
Key interventions: Assess pain and monitor for signs of rupture (sudden relief then worsening, rigid abdomen, high fever).; Keep NPO and prepare for appendectomy; give IV fluids/antibiotics as ordered.; Manage pain; avoid heat to the abdomen and unprescribed laxatives. — each paired with a rationale.
Can I use this care plan for my assignment?
Use it as a study example and starting draft. Always adapt it to your specific patient and have it reviewed by your instructor. This is an educational tool, not medical advice.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content based on standard nursing practice; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC. Always follow your institution's protocols and your instructor's guidance.