Nursing Care Plan for Heart Failure
Also searched as: CHF, congestive heart failure
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
Impaired cardiac pumping leading to fluid overload and reduced perfusion. Nursing care targets fluid balance, oxygenation, and self-management.
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Assessment
- Subjective: dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, weight gain
- Objective: crackles, edema, JVD, S3, low SpO₂, elevated BNP
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: edema, crackles, weight gain, JVD
As evidenced by: dyspnea on exertion, fatigue
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will show reduced fluid overload (clearer lungs, decreased edema, weight down) within 48–72 hours.
- The patient will state daily-weight and sodium-limit self-care before discharge.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Monitor daily weight, I/O, edema, lung sounds, and SpO₂. | Weight is the most sensitive early marker of fluid change. |
| Administer diuretics and heart-failure medications as prescribed; monitor electrolytes. | Reduces preload and improves symptoms; diuretics risk hypokalemia. |
| Restrict sodium/fluids per orders and elevate the head of the bed. | Limits fluid retention and eases breathing. |
| Teach daily weights, sodium limits, and when to call for help. | Self-monitoring prevents readmission. |
Evaluation
- Weight and edema decrease
- Lungs clearer, SpO₂ improved
- Patient verbalizes self-care plan
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Heart Failure care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for Heart Failure?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Excess fluid volume related to reduced cardiac output; Activity intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for Heart Failure?
Key interventions: Monitor daily weight, I/O, edema, lung sounds, and SpO₂.; Administer diuretics and heart-failure medications as prescribed; monitor electrolytes.; Restrict sodium/fluids per orders and elevate the head of the bed. — 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.