The nurse is caring for seven patients this shift. After completing their assessments, the nurse states that he doesn't know where to begin in developing care plans for these patients. Which of the following is an appropriate suggestion by another nurse?

Question

a. "Choose all the interventions and perform them in order of time needed for each one."
b. "Make sure you identify the scientific rationale for each intervention first."
c. "Decide on goals and outcomes you have chosen for the patients."
d. "Begin with the highest priority diagnoses, then select appropriate interventions."

Answer 1

ANS: D
When developing a plan of care, the nurse needs to rank the nursing diagnoses in order of priority, then select appropriate interventions. Choosing all the interventions should take place after ranking of the diagnoses, and interventions should be prioritized by patient needs, not just by time. The chosen interventions should be evidence-based with scientific rationales, but the diagnoses need to be prioritized first to prioritize interventions. Goals for a patient should be mutually set, not just chosen by the nurse.