This nursing care plan is for patients who have diarrhea. Diarrhea is where a person has more than three liquid or loose bowel movements a day. If diarrhea is not treated appropriately, it can lead to dehydration and in some cases death. The pediatric population is at most risk from complications of diarrhea. There are seven common types of stool a human can pass through the bowel. We are most concerned with Type 7, according to the Bristol Stool Chart.
Diarrhea can be caused by a number of things such as: viral or bacteria infections, food intolerances, spastic bowels, crohn’s disease, ulcers, cancers, medication side effects, anxiety, etc. Most common treatment for diarrhea is oral rehydration, or in some severe cases IV rehydration may be needed.
Below is a nursing care plan with diagnosis and nursing interventions/goals for patients with diarrhea.
What are nursing care plans? How do you develop a nursing care plan? What nursing care plan book do you recommend helping you develop a nursing care plan?
This care plan is listed to give an example of how a Nurse (LPN or RN) may plan to treat a patient with those conditions.
Important Disclosure: Please keep in mind that these care plans are listed for Example/Educational purposes only, and some of these treatments may change over time. Do not treat a patient based on this care plan.
Care Plans are often developed in different formats. The formatting isn’t always important, and care plan formatting may vary among different nursing schools or medical jobs. Some hospitals may have the information displayed in digital format, or use pre-made templates. The most important part of the care plan is the content, as that is the foundation on which you will base your care.
Nursing Care Plan for Diarrhea
If you want to view a video tutorial on how to construct a care plan in nursing school, please view the video below. Otherwise, scroll down to view this completed care plan.
Scenario
A 55 year old patient has developed diarrhea due to side effects of IV antibiotic she was started on two days ago for bacterial pneumonia. The patient’s last chest x-ray shows that the pneumonia is resolving but the patient states she is very uncomfortable from the frequent episodes of diarrhea she has been having along with the painful stomach cramps. The patient reports going to the bathroom 5 times this morning and afternoon which she says is very abnormal for her. You note her stool is completely liquid and brown in color. You inform the md about this on rounds who orders the patient to be started on Culturelle (a PO pro-biotic), c. diff stool collection, and to encourage PO intake.
Nursing Diagnosis
Diarrhea related to side effects of antibiotics as evidence by frequent lose, liquid stools, and reports of abdominal pain.
Subjective Data
The patient states she is very uncomfortable from the frequent episodes of diarrhea she has been having along with the painful stomach cramps. The patient reports going to the bathroom 5 times this morning and afternoon which she says is very abnormal for her.
Objective Data
A 55 year old patient has developed diarrhea due to side effects of IV antibiotic she was started on two days ago for bacterial pneumonia. The patient’s last chest x-ray shows that the pneumonia is resolving. You note her stool is completely liquid and brown in color. You inform the md about this on rounds who orders the patient to be started on Culturelle (a PO pro-biotic), c. diff stool collection, and to encourage PO intake.
Nursing Outcomes
-The patient will report less diarrhea within 36 hours.
-The patient stool with look like Type 4 of the Bristol stool chart within 48 hours.
-The patient will consume at least 1500-2000 cc of clear liquids within 24 hours period.
-The patient will verbalize 4 ways on how to treat diarrhea when it presents.
-The patient will verbalize understanding about the contributing factor that is causing her diarrhea.
Nursing Interventions
-The nurse will assess the patient report of diarrhea every shift.
-The nurse will assess the patients stool consistency daily according to the Bristol stool chart.
-The nurse will keep track of how many bowel movements the patient has daily.
-The nurse will encourage and provide the patient with clear liquids every two hours while awake.
-The nurse will educate the patient on what clear liquids to consume and avoid.
-The nurse will educate the patient on 4 ways on how to treat diarrhea when it presents.
-The nurse will educate the patient about the contributing factor that is causing her diarrhea.