One of the fundamental steps of the nursing process, in which nurses can take action to improve their patient's health and well-being and aid in their recovery, is the creation and implementation of nursing interventions.
Nursing interventions any actions taken by a nurse to treat and improve a patient's health. When successful, nursing interventions should provide short-term and long-term benefits for a patient's recovery.
There are many nursing terms used in the medical field today. However, if you are a nurse, becoming familiar with "nursing interventions" and learning how to execute them effectively can help you perform your job better.
Below, we will break down some examples of nursing interventions and how they can help promote positive patient outcomes.
Nursing interventions are actions or measures nurses take to promote, maintain, or restore the health and well-being of patients. These interventions are one component of a nursing care plan (NCP).
An NCP is a document that details a patient's needs and how you will treat them and lists reasonable goals to track their progress. A nursing care plan also defines what actions a nurse will need to take to provide appropriate interventions.
Generally, a nursing care plan will include five main components:
A simplified five-column nursing care plan may look like the following:
Patient: John Doe
Nursing Care Plan by: Nancy Nurse
| Assessment | Diagnosis | Outcomes | Interventions | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe abdominal pain Foul smelling stools Frequent flatulence Passing of watery stools seven times over a 12-hour period | Diarrhea related to the consumption of suspected contaminated foods | After 12 hours of nursing care, the patient will be able to resume normal bowel movements and functioning | Evaluate food history of allergies and intolerances Weigh patient daily and document results Observe the frequency, amount, consistency, and timing of stools | After 12 hours of nursing care the patient was able to resume partially normal bowel movements and functioning This was deduced by a reduction in stool frequency and watery consistency |
As noted in the table above, nursing interventions are part of a more complex nursing process that can assist nurses in assessing patients for signs of pain, discomfort, or distress. From there, nurses can take appropriate action and implement nursing interventions to alleviate these symptoms. Essentially, nursing interventions play a crucial role in managing, monitoring, and promoting comfort for a patient.
(NANDA-I), previously known as the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, it is an organization that develops standardized nursing diagnoses and is considered an "international language" for nurses worldwide.
NANDA-I uses evidence-based terminology to enhance a clinical nurse’s practice and ensure that nurses have a common language to effectively communicate what their patients need. Nursing interventions of NANDA-I can also help nurses assess the patient, plan, and provide appropriate interventions.
In addition, The Clinical Care Classification (CCC) System is a reliable source for nursing terminology that makes electronic nursing plans of care documentation easier. The CCC comprises 804 nursing interventions corresponding to 201 core nursing interventions (77 major categories and 124 subcategories).
These interventions are grouped into four action-type qualifiers:
Like the NANDA-I, CCC encompasses standardized nursing diagnoses and interventions to help patients. However, NANDA-I focuses on nursing diagnoses that can be applied to acute nursing care settings, whereas the CCC focuses on nursing diagnoses relevant to home health care.
According to a definition by the Iowa College of Nursing:
"The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) is a comprehensive, research-based, standardized classification of interventions that nurses perform."
"NIC" refers to the standard language or nursing terminology used for physician and nurse-initiated nursing treatments. It can refer to both direct and indirect care and the interventions that nurses perform on behalf of patients. Nursing interventions can be independent, collaborative, or dependent. Consequently, the three primary categories of nursing interventions are as follows:
Examples of dependent nursing interventions may include:
Administering intravenous medications
Inserting urinary catheters
Performing invasive procedures
Administering medications
NIC can be used in many medical settings, but the most common are acute care, intensive care units, and ambulatory care settings. NIC can also be used by hospice, home care, and non-physician providers to treat their patients.
The importance of nursing interventions is for nurses to understand when to implement them based on the patient's condition and the healthcare provider's orders. When used effectively, nursing interventions can help lead to positive patient outcomes.
Examples of nursing interventions range from administering medications and providing wound care to more complex interventions, such as those that control broken bones like tractions. Other examples of nursing interventions may include:
The following illustrates some nursing interventions that could be tailored to a particular diagnosis:
| Interventions | Interventions may include |
|---|---|
| Nursing interventions for pneumonia | Interventions may include obtaining blood work, hydrating the patient, administering antibiotics, and managing pain and cough |
| Nursing interventions for COPD | Interventions may include monitoring shortness of breath, concentrating on oxygen therapy, such as short-acting bronchodilators, fluid management, and respiratory control |
| Nursing interventions for hypertension | Interventions may include regular blood pressure checks, administration of antihypertensive drugs, and nursing education about adopting a healthier lifestyle |
| Nursing interventions for acute pain | Interventions include lessening physical suffering, pain, or distress |
| Nursing interventions for sepsis | Interventions may include promptly administering antibiotics, implementing measures to reduce the risk of infection, ensuring appropriate oxygenation and respiratory support, and encouraging pulmonary hygiene |
| Nursing interventions for stroke | Interventions may include transport, documentation, surveillance, neurologic assessments, and vital sign monitoring |
| Nursing interventions for anxiety | Interventions may include reducing anxiety, encouraging self-care, and enhancing coping mechanisms |
| Nursing interventions for congestive heart failure (CHF) | Interventions may include assessing respiratory functioning, monitoring blood pressure and pulse, monitoring for swelling and edema, applying 02 (oxygen) as needed |
| Nursing interventions for heart failure | Same as nursing interventions for congestive heart failure |
| Nursing interventions for constipation | Interventions include controlling or restoring the functioning of the bowel |
These examples are just a snapshot of many nursing interventions that fall under common NCP plans to promote well-being and improve the care patients receive. As a result, nursing interventions can dramatically optimize a patient's health outcomes and enhance their overall quality of life.
In most cases—yes—if you are a registered nurse (RN). Additionally, many other nursing professionals are responsible for contributing to a nursing care plan (NCP).
Fortunately, advances in technology and digital tools in healthcare have aided in the development of computerized NCPs, which may make creating nursing plans more efficient. However, because not all medical settings have implemented this technology, nurses should be familiar with traditional nursing care plans.
Nursing interventions are necessary because they help ensure patients receive the best care. Studies continue to show the vital role that nursing interventions play in raising the standard of healthcare overall and improving patient safety and outcomes.
Resilience and the capacity to function under pressure are essential traits for nurses to possess since they must react quickly to changes in patient conditions. Thus, nursing interventions require careful preparation and a day-in, day-out, dedicated effort by nurses to implement them correctly.
Are you a nurse new to nursing care plans (NCPs)? Our ultimate guide to NCPs will help you get familiar with nursing care templates and feel more confident on the job.
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