Using data gathered in your health history, develop a plan of care.
1: Analyze Assessment Data:
Based on the health history information, identify the following:
A. Areas for focused assessment
Provide a brief overview of those areas of strength and weakness noted from health history.
B. Client’s strengths
Expand on areas identified as strengths related to the person’s overall health. Support your conclusions with data from the credible evidence (peer reviewed journal or credible website).
C. Areas of concern
Expand on areas previously identified as abnormal and those that place the person at a health risk. Support your observations with data from the evidence.
D. Health teaching topics
Identify health education needs. Support your statements with facts from the Health History and information from your credible evidence.
2: Nursing Plan of Care
Next, plan your care based on your analysis of your assessment data:
A. Diagnosis
Write two nursing diagnosis that reflects a priority need for this person. Remember a wellness diagnosis is a possibility.
B. Plan
Write one goal and one measurable expected outcome related to each of your nursing diagnoses. Explain why this goal and outcome is a priority. Include cultural considerations for this client.
C. Intervention
Write as many nursing interventions that you need in order to achieve the outcome. Provide the rationale for each intervention listed.
Here is an example of how to analyze assessment data to develop a plan of care:
Client: John Smith, a 65-year-old man with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease.
Health history: Mr. Smith reports that he has been feeling shortness of breath with exertion for the past few weeks. He also reports that he has been coughing up blood.
Areas for focused assessment: Respiratory, cardiovascular, and hematologic systems.
Strengths: Mr. Smith has a strong support system in place. He has a wife who is able to help him with his care, and he has a close group of friends who check in on him regularly. He is also motivated to take care of his health and is willing to follow the nurse’s instructions.
Supportive evidence: A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with strong social support are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans and have better health outcomes. Another study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that people with a history of smoking are more likely to develop lung cancer.
Plan of care: The nurse will focus on the following areas in her plan of care for Mr. Smith:
The nurse will also work with Mr. Smith to develop a support system to help him stay motivated and adhere to his treatment plan.
This is just an example of how to analyze assessment data to develop a plan of care. The specific areas of focus and interventions will vary depending on the individual client’s needs.