Careplan Tools

[CASM]

We're about to begin clinicals and I've heard that it's helpful to buy yourself a careplan book & PDQ's (small quick reference).

Is there any books or materials that you've found helpful for clinicals?

[catechin]

Definitely get a care plan book if you can as well as a NANDA nursing diagnosis book. I got used ones from Amazon for a couple bucks. I have the Nursing Care Plans book from Elsevier. Just search in Amazon and it will come up. I also usually check the sample care plans in my med surg book and nursing care plans book to find guidance and then use both to tailor my own care plan that is individualized for my patient. Remember, we aren't supposed to be reinventing the wheel here. There are generally certain goals, interventions, and outcomes that you want to aim for with each dx.

Also, word to the wise. Try to make your nursing diagnosis relevant to the disease. And prioritize. Usually, the nursing dx that you can die from should be the priority. Ex. If your patient has an acute mi, your priority nursing dx should not be risk for pain. Sure, they have pain, but can you die from pain? That is always what I think in my mind. The dx that you can die from, such as ineffective tissue perfusion or something along those lines, should be your priority. Another ex. if your patient has COPD, is their priority nursing dx going to be risk for ineffective coping, or impaired gas exchange?

[CASM]

Thanks!

We were required to buy the Ackley Nursing Diagnosis handbook.