Nursing Care Plan Guide: 10 Common Patient Cases

Nursing Care Plans (NCPs) are essential for safe and effective patient care. Using the ADPIE framework — Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation — helps nurses stay structured, evidence-based, and patient-centered.

This guide provides 10 sample Nursing Care Plans you can use for practice, study, and NCLEX preparation.

1.Nursing Care Plan Guide for Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose, assess diet history, check skin integrity, observe for neuropathy.
Diagnosis: Risk for unstable blood glucose levels related to impaired insulin use.
Planning: Maintain blood glucose between 80–120 mg/dL within 48 hours.
Implementation: Monitor glucose, give meds/insulin, teach carb counting and foot care, encourage balanced diet.
Evaluation: Glucose stable, no new complications.

2. Nursing Care Plan Guide for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Assessment: Fluid status, weight, lung sounds, edema, dyspnea.
Diagnosis: Excess fluid volume related to impaired cardiac output.
Planning: Reduce edema and improve breathing within 72 hours.
Implementation: Administer diuretics, monitor I&O, provide low-sodium diet, semi-Fowler’s position.
Evaluation: Reduced edema, stable breathing, improved lung sounds.

3. Nursing Care Plan Guide for Hypertension (HTN)

Assessment: BP monitoring, lifestyle habits, med adherence, stress.
Diagnosis: Ineffective health management related to lack of knowledge.
Planning: Maintain BP <130/80 mmHg within 1 month.
Implementation: Teach low-salt diet, encourage exercise, monitor BP daily, stress reduction.
Evaluation: Controlled BP, improved lifestyle habits.

4. Nursing Care Plan Guide for

Post-Operative Patient

Assessment: Vitals, wound site, pain level, mobility.
Diagnosis: Acute pain related to surgical incision.
Planning: Pain ≤ 3/10 within 30 minutes of analgesics.
Implementation: Give analgesics, wound care, encourage ambulation, deep breathing.
Evaluation: Pain reduced, improved mobility, no infection.

5.Nursing Care Plan Guide for Pneumonia

Assessment: Respiratory rate, O₂ sat, lung sounds, cough, sputum.
Diagnosis: Impaired gas exchange related to alveolar inflammation.
Planning: Maintain O₂ sat >92% within 24 hours.
Implementation: Administer antibiotics, O₂ therapy, encourage coughing/deep breathing.
Evaluation: Improved O₂, reduced cough, clear lung sounds.

6.Nursing Care Plan Guide for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Assessment: BUN/creatinine, urine output, electrolytes, BP.
Diagnosis: Risk for electrolyte imbalance related to impaired renal function.
Planning: Maintain normal electrolyte levels during hospitalization.
Implementation: Monitor labs, restrict potassium-rich foods, administer meds, track I&O.
Evaluation: Stable electrolytes, controlled BP, improved fluid balance.

7. Nursing Care Plan Guide for Asthma

Assessment: Respiratory rate, accessory muscle use, wheezing, O₂ sat, triggers.
Diagnosis: Ineffective airway clearance related to bronchoconstriction and mucus.
Planning: Maintain O₂ sat >95% within 24 hours.
Implementation: Administer bronchodilators, teach breathing exercises, identify triggers.
Evaluation: Improved O₂, reduced wheezing and dyspnea.

8.Nursing Care Plan Guide for Depression (Mental Health)

Assessment: Mood, affect, suicidal ideation, sleep, appetite.
Diagnosis: Hopelessness related to altered thought processes.
Planning: Patient verbalizes one positive coping strategy within 1 week.
Implementation: Provide supportive environment, encourage expression of feelings, collaborate with MH team.
Evaluation: Improved mood, effective coping skills.

9.Nursing Care Plan Guide for Stroke (CVA)

Assessment: Neuro status, mobility, swallowing, speech.
Diagnosis: Impaired physical mobility related to neuromuscular impairment.
Planning: Improve mobility with assistance within 2 weeks.
Implementation: Provide PT, assist ambulation, ROM exercises, fall precautions.
Evaluation: Improved independence and reduced complications.

10.Nursing Care Plan Guide for Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Assessment: Chest pain, ECG, troponin levels, vitals.
Diagnosis: Decreased cardiac output related to myocardial damage.
Planning: Relieve pain and maintain stable vitals within 24 hours.
Implementation: Administer O₂, meds (nitroglycerin, aspirin), monitor ECG, bed rest.
Evaluation: Pain reduced, stable vitals, patient understands self-care.

✅ Takeaway: Nursing Care Plans help nurses deliver structured, patient-centered care. By practicing with common conditions like diabetes, CHF, pneumonia, and MI, you’ll strengthen your clinical judgment and exam readiness.