Care plan

How it is used

Nurses write, follow, update and evaluate care plans, on paper or in the electronic record. There are care plans for specific needs such as pressure area care, nutrition or pain. Students write detailed care plans as assignments; on the ward they are shorter and often standardised.

Example sentences

1. Please update his care plan now that he can walk with a frame.

2. Her care plan says she needs turning every two hours.

Common collocations

• write a care plan
• update the care plan
• follow the care plan
• nursing care plan
• individualised care plan

Related terms

• assessmentA careful, organised check of a patient's physical and mental condition and needs, used to plan and adjust their nursing care.
• nursing notesThe written or electronic record in which nurses describe a patient's condition, the care given and any changes or events during each shift.
• chartTo write down information about a patient, such as observations, medicines given or fluids taken, in their record or on a special form.
• repositionTo change the position of a patient in bed or in a chair, to relieve pressure on the skin, make them comfortable or help their breathing.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• care plan · Social Work

More terms: Documentation

• confidentiality
• incident report
• informed consent